Overview
This guide has some theories I have made up, or based off of some others to why Gordon Freeman, the protagonist of the Half-Life series, cannot speak.
Resonance Cascade Theory
The idea in this theory is that Gordon cannot speak because of the effects of the Resonance Cascade. Remember, Gordon did not have his HEV suit helmet on during the incident. Now, let’s say that because of the rift that was created by the portal to Xen, the area that Gordon was in had a massive amount of radition, and exposure to alien air (This is before Earth and Xen were both “collided” into each other [hinted by Opposing Force’s chapter “Worlds Collide], because after that, Xen had breathable oxygen for unknown reasons). Because of this, most of Gordon’s important parts that generate a human voice (lungs, connected to the pharynx, vocal folds, articulators, etc.) may had been damaged enough to stop him from speaking ever again. Now, you may be saying “Well, if they weren’t damaged while he was traveling on the tram or when he was walking through hallways and getting his HEV suit, why doesn’t he talk then?” We can assume that he was in a bad mood due to the fact that he was late for work, and was too mad to respond to everyone!
the Resonance Cascade.
Gman Theory
This theory is probably one of the shortest yet most believable. The Gman Theory basically states that Gordon was silenced by the Gman. Why? Well since he “employed” Gordon and stalked him throughout the whole game, he wouldn’t want him to tell others about who he was, or try to ask others to help him, would he?
Another part of this theory is that, maybe the effects of the stasis Gman put on Gordon (allowing him to not age and not feel practically anything) damaged some parts of his body.
Player’s Voice Theory
This isn’t necessarily a theory, it’s more like a reason. Like Gabe Newell said, Gordon Freeman is silent to him because it is the player who does all the talking. It’s not Freeman’s reaction that reaches the player, it’s what happens that reaches the player. You wear Freeman like he wears his glasses. Your experiences and Gordon’s are always alike, because you are him. This sort of breaks the 4th wall, but then again, Half-Life emphasizes on immersion than anything else. His story is your story.
Freeman’s Choice Theory
This theory is the most simple one of all. Gordon Freeman simply doesn’t choose to talk. This may be true, but if taken seriously and looked at carefully, it doesn’t seem to work with the plot of Half-Life. But, maybe Gordon has seen some things and went through serious thoughts and depression, he was the one to have the world turned into a bare wasteland, and taken over by a harsh and cruel empire after all. Maybe because of all the pressure Gordon had taken, simply had exchanged his power to speak with a simple motivation, not stopping.
Conclusion
All these theories I have shared with you today are not canon, made up, and out there simply to bring some questions while you play Half-Life. Most of them I have thought up myself, and if they resemble anything that someone else thought up, it is completely coincidental. This is my first guide, if you like it please rate it!
We may never know what the secert behind Gordon’s silence is. But we do know one thing.
Whatever Gordon Freeman’s motivation is, it sure is a damn strong one.
