Henry's Baby

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Evil-doer
Full Name	Unknown
Alias	Henry's Baby The Baby Spike [from the fanbase]
Origin	Eraserhead
Occupation	None
Powers / Skills	Driving people to insanity via crying Teleportation Size-changing Shape-shifting
Goals	Unknown (presumably to drive Henry Spencer to insanity)
Crimes	Mindbreaking
Type of Villain	Symbolic Child

Henry's Baby, also known as "The Baby" for short, is the main antagonist (according to some, competing only with the Woman in the Radiator for said role) of the 1977 surreal body horror film Eraserhead.

Quick Answers

What role does Henry's Baby play in the movie Eraserhead?

Henry's Baby, a central antagonist in the 1977 film Eraserhead, symbolizes the protagonist Henry Spencer's fears about fatherhood. The Baby's grotesque, snakelike appearance is a manifestation of these fears. The film concludes with an implication that Henry may have taken his own life after his actions towards the Baby.

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What does Henry's Baby look like in the film Eraserhead?

Henry's Baby in Eraserhead is depicted as a snakelike creature, mirroring a spermatozoon-like entity from the film's start. This grotesque appearance is potentially a manifestation of Henry's fears and possible mental health issues, suggesting the baby might actually be normal-looking.

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Why does Henry's Baby refuse to eat in the film Eraserhead?

In the film Eraserhead, Henry's Baby's refusal to eat symbolizes Henry's fear of fatherhood and his avoidance of responsibility. The baby, grotesque and manipulative, embodies Henry's anxieties and the consequences of his actions.

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How does Henry's Baby contribute to the surrealism of Eraserhead?

In Eraserhead, Henry's Baby amplifies the surrealism with its abnormal, snakelike appearance, symbolizing Henry's apprehension about becoming a father. The surreal imagery is further intensified by the baby's metamorphosis into a planet and its eventual explosion. The film suggests that Henry's mental illness could be the cause of the baby's unusual appearance, implying the plot could be Henry's delusions.

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What is the significance of Henry's Baby in the overall meaning of Eraserhead?

In Eraserhead, Henry's Baby symbolizes Henry's fear of becoming a father and his avoidance of responsibility. The baby's grotesque form mirrors Henry's fearful perception, possibly influenced by a mental disorder. The baby's transformation into a planet that explodes, and the final scene suggesting Henry's suicide, underscore the baby's pivotal role in the film's narrative and symbolism.

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Biography

After Henry Spencer impregnated his girlfriend, Mary X, the couple returned to the apartment with their baby. Their baby was snakelike in appearance and resembled the spermatozoon-like creature that was seen in the beginning of the film. The baby also had the habit of refusing any food that was offered to him and cried continually. Eventually, Mary couldn't take the stress anymore and she left Henry to care for the "child."

Whenever Henry tried to have an affair, the baby would always manipulate Henry into staying with him, and constantly mocked him for his attempt at finding a better life.

When Henry discovered that the Woman Across the Hall was inviting men into her room, Henry grabbed a pair of scissors, proceeded to cut the bundles that were wrapped around his child and stabbed his open body. Blood and a white substance gushed out of his son and he reacted in pain. The lights burned out and the child's head turned into the planet at the beginning of the film.

Symbolism

Most people believe that the Baby represents fear. According to this interpretation, the Baby was actually a representation of the fears that Henry, the film's protagonist, had about becoming a father. This explains the grotesque appearance of his son, and it could possibly explain the rest of the film.

The Baby is also believed to be the result of consequences. Henry was known to let things happen, meaning that he chose not to take responsibility for his actions. He chose to have relations with his girlfriend and it resulted in the birth of his son. Now, he has to live with the responsibility of taking care of an unwanted child.

Gallery

Images

The Baby's death

The Baby replacing his father's head.

Videos

Eraserhead Analysis

Eraserhead - Renegade Cut

Trivia

• The screams that the Baby emits whilst dying are allegedly recordings of David Lynch's daughter, Jennifer.
• One urban legend insists that the Baby was made from a cow fetus or even a human fetus.
• Because of the many interpretations of the plot, the child's intentions (and level of awareness) are up to interpretation. It is possible that it was just a normal child (perceived by Henry to be disfigured) or a disfigured child with no ill intent. In that case, Henry would be the true villain.

Navigation

Villains

Henry's Family Henry Spencer | Henry's Baby Other Woman in the Radiator