Silent Hill Game Characters & Monsters Book 1

Puppet Nurse (Monster)

Health: Low

Locations: Alchemilla Hospital and Nowhere

Weapons: Knife

Attack Methods: Stabbing

Description: Puppet Nurses are monsters in Silent Hill. They are real nurses that have been possessed, caught in the Otherworld. They also have a male counterpart called Puppet Doctors. They are found in Alchemilla Hospital and Nowhere.

                                                                                   Appearance

The most distinguishing feature of the Puppet Nurse is the large, slug-like parasite that grows out of their backs, causing them to hunch forward when they walk. The parasite itself is portrayed as a separate living entity, as it can be seen moving independently from the nurse's movements and usually dies shortly after the host body dies. The parasite that controls the Nurses is the same type that controls Cybil Bennett after she becomes possessed. Puppet Nurses can be seen with blue or green attire, as well as different hair colors.

                                                                                    Character

The nurses wield scalpels as weapons, wandering the hospital with sluggish, slow movements all the while voicing groans; this dismal moaning becomes even more intense when attacked and killed. They sometimes cooperate; a Puppet Nurse may grapple Harry Mason while another one stabs Harry with a knife. This cooperation is a common characteristic among parasitic hosts, even in the real world. When the Nurses are knocked down by a strong blow such as the hammer, they will flail and struggle on the ground wildly before going limp.

Combat with the Nurses can be avoided; by turning off the flashlight, Harry can sneak by them undetected. If combat is unavoidable, it is best to either utilize the handgun or the hammer since one or two hits (or three in hard mode) from the latter should defeat them. If the player is yet to obtain the hammer, the handgun is rather more effective than the pipe, since the nurses can still hurt the player considerably when attacking due to the speed of their swipes and their tendency to attack in groups. With the handgun, it should only take six to eight shots to cripple them, allowing the player to deliver the death blow. Handling the nurses in a group can be tricky, but it can be made easier by following these guidelines:

1. If a nurse grabs Harry, immediately press either the "square" or "X" button repeatedly before the other nurse stabs Harry. If done correctly Harry will push both of them away simultaneously, giving room to attack. If done correctly, this tactic is useful since Harry won't take damage if grabbed.

2. Do not be hesitant to use the hammer for ammo conservation, even though it is slower to swing then the pipe. It boasts tremendously more damage output. Also, it takes a little longer for the nurses to change their attack (about 2 seconds longer than Harry's charge), giving Harry the advantage over speed and can get by without injuries.

                                                                                    Symbolism

The nurses represent Alessa Gillespie's fear and hatred of nurses, seeing as they were always around her when she was admitted to Alchemilla Hospital after her serious injuries.

Although they weren't necessarily members themselves, they were acting as puppets of the Order by keeping her alive, further attributing to their name and symbolism of their monstrous forms. The parasite may be representative of Alessa's feeling toward God within her, or may yet be products of God itself attacking the townspeople, as Aglaophotis is effective against them. (Their god they represent in the game not our god in our world).