The opposite yet exact same as Anthem. Interesting. Logically utopian yet technically far from it. No I am not just saying weird stuff. We had within it a mathematically superior theory of how to make the world a utopia. Technically, it really isn't a utopia, because nobody is really happy, they're just kept occupied. However, the idea of running a world like this, when you think about it, ensures the end of starvation, of hatred, of all the big problems everyone in the world likes to complain about. The only catch is that you need to become a computer program in order to fully enjoy it. Just for the record, if I were ever to be thrown into that world, I doubt I would be able to keep myself from smirking. The idea of everybody goosestepping, chewing, and perhaps even breathing in unison is just cartoonishly hilarious. Disturbing, but hilarious.
Now, if the world was like a computer, it would have no emotions and have no need for abstract concepts such as happiness or love. Being as it's not, though, and that human beings have a strange abnormality known as a soul, those abstract notions are quite necessary. In fact, we really can't do without them. They make us, shall I say, human. It's almost as if we humans are the only obstacle that needs to be overcome to have a utopian human society. That being said, I delcare utopian societies impossible. There cannot be happiness and happiness and some more happiness with absolutely no discontent whatsoever. You have to have at least an irritating itch in the center of your back in order to have even the slightest bit of contentment. As D-503 puts it, everyone believes that happiness is infinity in the positive direction; where is the negative of that? You can't just have a positive and pull it out of the air, or not have any of the opposite whatsoever. Both are needed. One could even go as far as to say, that without that negative to compare things to (or even a lesser positive, derived from adding a certain negative in question) one could not define happiness. Human beings have a soul that gives them preference and the ability to feel emotions, and therefore to be happy. However, by the same token they must deal with the unhappy as well. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, to take another logical route. The only way to eliminate sadness and discontent is to destroy the ability to sense that, to destroy both happy and sad. Light and darkness will always be there; if you don't like the darkness, or the light, close your eyes. Both will still be there, plain as day (or night), but if you really don't want to see one you should accept not being able to see the other. Either get over it or just stop existing. Nothing will be exactly as you demand it. Today's world is all about instant gratification. Well, things won't always go your way. Be grateful that you even have a way, that things even go at all. Be content with what you have, or be ready to give up everything for perfection. That's my take on it.
And for D-503's nemesis, the square root of negative one...if I were him, I'd just leave it as a lower case i. Problem solved. If you can't find the solution with numbers, use letters. That's why they're there, to be used. Make use of them, as with everything else in your life. Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean it's not a good thing. Find the good in everything. If there is a bad, then there must be a good somewhere in it, waiting to be found. There cannot be one without the other.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Anthem- Reaction to the Novel
Now this was one freaking weird society. Or rather, one freaking weird brotherhood of man, it should probably be called. One enormous collection of lame brains with no willpower, but a programmed order of self deprecation. If society ever becomes like this, I will call it Armageddon and the Rebirth of Semi-Intelligent Life on Earth. That being said, it seems to be some fanatic religious society whose focus is to get back to the simple things in life. The really simple things. With only togas and candles, and the notion that everything else was evil, it appears to me that someone believes great advances in the world are the sources of all misery and depression. Several religious fanatics believe that science is the Devil's work and brings only evil and sin, and if that science is represented by Equality's invention then there is a little more to the story than simple fear of advancement. This can be coupled with the notion that certain extremists believe that hard work is a great sign of your faith, and that it cleanses the body. There are hints of extremist culture in here, regardless of other connotations.
But aside from that, this society is more of a society of fear and control. No one is allowed to be different, and anyone who has thoughts different from others' or acts differently from others is evil. Why the focus on evil? What is so evil in not being the exact same as everyone else? Well, perhaps we should put out a poll on that in today's world. In all likelihood, no one with half a brain or more will put out some racist comment, but the emotions and feelings may still be there. There is a great deal of intolerance for those that are different from oneself. Not everyone is a bigot, but to some degree I believe all people are most comfortable with people who are just like them, who share their interests and beliefs. Perhaps this is a strike against conformity. Quite frankly, if being different from others is evil, I would consider that a good thing. If all human beings were perfect in action and thought, then I'd still expect there to be something that can depict a flaw of some sort, because humanity is not, by any stretch of the imagination, capable of being 100% divine. That is God's job, and I doubt even He goes without trouble all the time. Evil also presents some contrast to good, and if everyone in the world was completely perfect mankind would be the most boring and dreary race on the planet. (See my segment on Fahrenheit for my contrast rant) However, people do need to stop being so fearful and intolerant of others. Racism is a major example, but even between people of the same race, religion, and shoe size there exists some level of friction. Even small differences seem to make us uneasy. We have to accept everyone, big quirks and small, all aspects of that person, not just declare them evil and move on with our lives. (Of course, most people don't see in terms of only good and evil, this is a bit of an exaggeration, but the point is clear, correct?) Besides, mankind refers to a collection of human beings. Different human beings. If mankind can be made by simply running someone through a copy machine then mankind isn't really all that descriptive and/or special.
Back to the Opus Dei factor, the Palace of Corrective Detention was the oddest form of "correctional facility" I've ever heard. Whip the guy until he passes out and then stick him in a cell until he gets the message/confesses/gives out some names. Sounds more like the Inquisition to me. That, and the fact that it's called such a fancy name. If I was in charge of that society, I would call it something more inspiring. Maybe the Palace of Pain or the Facility of Redemption or even something like House of the Evil Ones if they had to stick with something a little weakish. "Corrective Detention" sounds like a rap on the fingers and no cookies. Perhaps it refers to the "corrective facilities" our criminals go to today, with their well-prepped cells and psychiatrists. Maybe it emphasizes an irony, that in this world those who are good and have done little wrong are tortured, while in our world those that have done much wrong are treated quite respectfully. Or, to mention torture, that we really don't torture, but rather question rather forcefully utilizing measures that inflict not as much pain as death-like, nightmarish experiences. (In other words, well maybe we might have) But still, why so much mutilation? I still find the reaction of that one Scholar amusing: He shall be lashed until nothing remains to be lashed. Well I'm sure that's a fantastic way to relieve stress, but for trying to help one's fellow man, which, if I'm not mistaken, was the entire freaking point of this society, you expect him to be whipped into a fine goo? It seems that some people find it beneficial to inflict pain on others, for both the punisher and punish-ee. Either that, or they're a little too devout. Regardless, it seems a little odd to me. Still, there have been such cases in the past. There's a good chance history will repeat itself.
But aside from that, this society is more of a society of fear and control. No one is allowed to be different, and anyone who has thoughts different from others' or acts differently from others is evil. Why the focus on evil? What is so evil in not being the exact same as everyone else? Well, perhaps we should put out a poll on that in today's world. In all likelihood, no one with half a brain or more will put out some racist comment, but the emotions and feelings may still be there. There is a great deal of intolerance for those that are different from oneself. Not everyone is a bigot, but to some degree I believe all people are most comfortable with people who are just like them, who share their interests and beliefs. Perhaps this is a strike against conformity. Quite frankly, if being different from others is evil, I would consider that a good thing. If all human beings were perfect in action and thought, then I'd still expect there to be something that can depict a flaw of some sort, because humanity is not, by any stretch of the imagination, capable of being 100% divine. That is God's job, and I doubt even He goes without trouble all the time. Evil also presents some contrast to good, and if everyone in the world was completely perfect mankind would be the most boring and dreary race on the planet. (See my segment on Fahrenheit for my contrast rant) However, people do need to stop being so fearful and intolerant of others. Racism is a major example, but even between people of the same race, religion, and shoe size there exists some level of friction. Even small differences seem to make us uneasy. We have to accept everyone, big quirks and small, all aspects of that person, not just declare them evil and move on with our lives. (Of course, most people don't see in terms of only good and evil, this is a bit of an exaggeration, but the point is clear, correct?) Besides, mankind refers to a collection of human beings. Different human beings. If mankind can be made by simply running someone through a copy machine then mankind isn't really all that descriptive and/or special.
Back to the Opus Dei factor, the Palace of Corrective Detention was the oddest form of "correctional facility" I've ever heard. Whip the guy until he passes out and then stick him in a cell until he gets the message/confesses/gives out some names. Sounds more like the Inquisition to me. That, and the fact that it's called such a fancy name. If I was in charge of that society, I would call it something more inspiring. Maybe the Palace of Pain or the Facility of Redemption or even something like House of the Evil Ones if they had to stick with something a little weakish. "Corrective Detention" sounds like a rap on the fingers and no cookies. Perhaps it refers to the "corrective facilities" our criminals go to today, with their well-prepped cells and psychiatrists. Maybe it emphasizes an irony, that in this world those who are good and have done little wrong are tortured, while in our world those that have done much wrong are treated quite respectfully. Or, to mention torture, that we really don't torture, but rather question rather forcefully utilizing measures that inflict not as much pain as death-like, nightmarish experiences. (In other words, well maybe we might have) But still, why so much mutilation? I still find the reaction of that one Scholar amusing: He shall be lashed until nothing remains to be lashed. Well I'm sure that's a fantastic way to relieve stress, but for trying to help one's fellow man, which, if I'm not mistaken, was the entire freaking point of this society, you expect him to be whipped into a fine goo? It seems that some people find it beneficial to inflict pain on others, for both the punisher and punish-ee. Either that, or they're a little too devout. Regardless, it seems a little odd to me. Still, there have been such cases in the past. There's a good chance history will repeat itself.
Fahrenheit 451- Analysis
One of the interesting things that I noticed in the novel was a lack of happiness, which had been replaced by assumed happiness. There's little logical reasoning behind the "happiness" here, aside from a statement that all people are free to do whatever they feel like doing, so long as it's mindless. Happiness seems to have become less of an emotion than a state of existence, and even then an assumed state of existence, not fully realized. I attribute this to something I'll call contrast, the comparison of two different things. This not only defines happiness, but also a few other emotions in the community.
I doubt I really need to define contrast, but in essence the theory would be that everything has to have an opposite; life and death, light and darkness, happiness and sadness. Otherwise, there's only one thing existing, and without anything to compare it to it's just normal business of the day. It loses its power and effect. The community has had so much "happiness" and has such a mindless life of pleasure that it begins to lose sight of what happiness really is. Well, who cares, really? Happiness is a good thing, and we are happy, we've got everything; isn't that what's important? NOPE. It's no different from being absolutely miserable if there's nothing to compare that to. Even if you can say you're happier than you were yesterday, you can still feel happiness. These people have lost the will to take the time to compare. They just think they're happy. They know there's an opposite, but that has nothing to do with them, so it's out of their minds. However, when something bad happens, they don't have the slightest clue what to do. If you've ever sat in a room with the lights off, you'll eventually develop a faint "night vision" and be able to see the outlines of things in the room. However, if the lights go on, you're blind as a bat. After the one night when Mildred is found almost dead from sleeping pills, she acts as if there was no reason for her to kill herself. She is happy, after all. What really happened was that she tried to kill herself, because she didn't know how to stop the light that was bothering her. When people who have lived in fake happiness all their life suffer tragedy, they are blinded. They expect the light to just go out. Some block it out themselves, by racing around in the Beetle cars or watching mindless TV. Others can't block the lights out, and kill themselves, afraid of the light, unable to deal with it. In fact, all people are afraid of the light, because they are never really are able put it out, but still try to block it out, like pulling a cover over your head. When Montag began his escape, everyone was most likely terrified, and needed the "snap ending" of the scapegoat to put their fears at ease. They would have gone bonkers if they thought that a killer was on the loose. Just put the unhappy deed out of sight, out of mind, leave it to itself, it'll burn out if you ignore it. In this way, they can "know" they are "happy" again because the bad guys lose and the good guys win. They need that light out, that sadness kept away from them, because they can't cope with it.
Following this reasoning, it can be inferred how people became bored. As Montag said in the beginning of the novel, there are several recreational hours, which the people have to appease their boredom, to be happy doing what they enjoy to do (so long as it's not thinking). But again there is only one of a pair here, not between boredom and pleasing activity, but rather of what you want to do and what you do to pass the time away. I'm going to infer that those who did not frantically spend their free time doing something mindless were the oddballs of the society. In this way, the activities that are being done lack the possibility for true appreciation, for real enjoyment. It's just something else that needs to be done; you want to be happy, don't you, so just do it. It's not what they made time for, but what they were given time for. If you don't have a time when you're staring at a wall, bored out of your skull, you can't possibly think up something fun to do, something to save you from boredom. Put another way, the reason Christmas presents are special is because you only get them once a year, and it is a way that someone else can express appreciation for all you've done, for who you are. You wait bored out of your skull the night before and then jump up excited the next morning, eager to see what you have and then choose what you want to do with your gifts. If you got a Christmas present every day, then it really wouldn't be special, but rather a "Well what it it today? A quick speed down that street over there or a few hours of clowns chopping each other to bits?" The people are being given the gift of everything to do and no time to decide what they want to do. They are unable to take the time to choose and enjoy, but are rushed on to do something else. It's all just a distraction from the fact that you'd really prefer to be somewhere else.
Basically, the community has tried to shut out the negatives to their positives. They believe that they can enjoy their lives if sadness and boredom are eliminated. They cannot be eliminated. When the opposite comes at them and blinds them, makes them uncomfortable, they are unable to think of what they should do in order to continue with their lives. They cannot resolve their problems, because they have never really experienced these things very often. Without a response, many kill themselves or degrade further, climbing into their own dark corner of a room, trying to block out the light of negative emotions. They obsess their lives around mindless fluff, in a way setting themselves out of life in order not to suffer the pain of unhappiness. If you have no tome to live, you cannot feel sadness or boredom; if you already cannot find happiness or amusement, then there's no problem in blocking out all emotions entirely, becoming a mindless drone, racing around life's bend to the next thing that keeps your mind off of how miserable you really are.
I doubt I really need to define contrast, but in essence the theory would be that everything has to have an opposite; life and death, light and darkness, happiness and sadness. Otherwise, there's only one thing existing, and without anything to compare it to it's just normal business of the day. It loses its power and effect. The community has had so much "happiness" and has such a mindless life of pleasure that it begins to lose sight of what happiness really is. Well, who cares, really? Happiness is a good thing, and we are happy, we've got everything; isn't that what's important? NOPE. It's no different from being absolutely miserable if there's nothing to compare that to. Even if you can say you're happier than you were yesterday, you can still feel happiness. These people have lost the will to take the time to compare. They just think they're happy. They know there's an opposite, but that has nothing to do with them, so it's out of their minds. However, when something bad happens, they don't have the slightest clue what to do. If you've ever sat in a room with the lights off, you'll eventually develop a faint "night vision" and be able to see the outlines of things in the room. However, if the lights go on, you're blind as a bat. After the one night when Mildred is found almost dead from sleeping pills, she acts as if there was no reason for her to kill herself. She is happy, after all. What really happened was that she tried to kill herself, because she didn't know how to stop the light that was bothering her. When people who have lived in fake happiness all their life suffer tragedy, they are blinded. They expect the light to just go out. Some block it out themselves, by racing around in the Beetle cars or watching mindless TV. Others can't block the lights out, and kill themselves, afraid of the light, unable to deal with it. In fact, all people are afraid of the light, because they are never really are able put it out, but still try to block it out, like pulling a cover over your head. When Montag began his escape, everyone was most likely terrified, and needed the "snap ending" of the scapegoat to put their fears at ease. They would have gone bonkers if they thought that a killer was on the loose. Just put the unhappy deed out of sight, out of mind, leave it to itself, it'll burn out if you ignore it. In this way, they can "know" they are "happy" again because the bad guys lose and the good guys win. They need that light out, that sadness kept away from them, because they can't cope with it.
Following this reasoning, it can be inferred how people became bored. As Montag said in the beginning of the novel, there are several recreational hours, which the people have to appease their boredom, to be happy doing what they enjoy to do (so long as it's not thinking). But again there is only one of a pair here, not between boredom and pleasing activity, but rather of what you want to do and what you do to pass the time away. I'm going to infer that those who did not frantically spend their free time doing something mindless were the oddballs of the society. In this way, the activities that are being done lack the possibility for true appreciation, for real enjoyment. It's just something else that needs to be done; you want to be happy, don't you, so just do it. It's not what they made time for, but what they were given time for. If you don't have a time when you're staring at a wall, bored out of your skull, you can't possibly think up something fun to do, something to save you from boredom. Put another way, the reason Christmas presents are special is because you only get them once a year, and it is a way that someone else can express appreciation for all you've done, for who you are. You wait bored out of your skull the night before and then jump up excited the next morning, eager to see what you have and then choose what you want to do with your gifts. If you got a Christmas present every day, then it really wouldn't be special, but rather a "Well what it it today? A quick speed down that street over there or a few hours of clowns chopping each other to bits?" The people are being given the gift of everything to do and no time to decide what they want to do. They are unable to take the time to choose and enjoy, but are rushed on to do something else. It's all just a distraction from the fact that you'd really prefer to be somewhere else.
Basically, the community has tried to shut out the negatives to their positives. They believe that they can enjoy their lives if sadness and boredom are eliminated. They cannot be eliminated. When the opposite comes at them and blinds them, makes them uncomfortable, they are unable to think of what they should do in order to continue with their lives. They cannot resolve their problems, because they have never really experienced these things very often. Without a response, many kill themselves or degrade further, climbing into their own dark corner of a room, trying to block out the light of negative emotions. They obsess their lives around mindless fluff, in a way setting themselves out of life in order not to suffer the pain of unhappiness. If you have no tome to live, you cannot feel sadness or boredom; if you already cannot find happiness or amusement, then there's no problem in blocking out all emotions entirely, becoming a mindless drone, racing around life's bend to the next thing that keeps your mind off of how miserable you really are.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Fahrenheit 451-response to the novel
Well maybe I'd better get started on these now. Terribly sorry, been busy. Anyways, beginning at the beginning, Fahrenheit 451 was an...interesting book, to say the least. A little extreme, but I thought that it was somewhat realistic. The actual society itself, with all its high-tech gadgets, is beyond our capabilities at the moment, definitely, but the ideas behind it are actually possible. Today's world is falling a little farther away from social activity and more toward one's own personal entertainment, more towards one single person living on his own by his own rules. Today, it's common for people to want to be by themselves or with others like them. That I agree with wholeheartedly. But there is a difference between that and simply doing what you feel like doing without regard for what you should be doing or how it affects others. And you definitely shouldn't go bashing people up or racing down streets just because you find it amusing. Some level of self control is necessary. As far as education goes, yes, I concur that I'd probably enjoy being elsewhere rather than studying and working, but quite frankly I'd probably be bored to death within a few minutes. I think that it's better to spend a good deal of your day working, studying, doing what you need to do, especially if it's boring, because that's what makes your entertainment part of the day so darn fun. I'll get into contrast analysis in a bit.
Also, it is possible to have a country ruled by minorities. By ruled I mean obsessively hypersensitive to the desires of minorities. Examining Election '08 and even popular reality shows seem to emphasize and make spectacle of different races of people. At every turn there is supposed to be some sharp division between one person and the guy standing right next to him, something that supposedly sets them apart, even against, each other irreparably, a division of some sort. And if it isn't an attempt to catagorize and make people the epitome and representation of their people, it's the obsessive attempt to get one's own way using racism and hatred as an excuse. Now, I'm all for people speaking out against others if they truly have been discriminated against, and I do know that there are some very warped people in this country. However, what I do not approve of is to make every case involving a white man and another ethnicity a racism case, to make everything the struggle of a minority against an intolerant world. There will always be racism, but not everyone is a racist, and just because something does not go your way does not mean that it was rigged against them. Additionally, some people will make comments against other ethnicities because they're complete jerkwads. This does NOT, in my opinion, justify a crusade. We do live in a free country, and sadly certain intolerant jerkwads have the right to be such jerkwads. However, it does not mean that if someone's called a bad word they need to parade, march, riot, threaten, and otherwise mass at the government's door in an attempt to seek reparations as if they've been shot or raped or otherwise. And although I do not think that we will ever begin burning books by the masses, consider the debate on whether movies with smoking need to be rated R. Now I really think that's a bit of an overreaction; if parents have that little control over their kids (or we're that weak-minded, and I doubt we are) then they really shouldn't be parents. Besides, just because they see something on TV does not mean that they will flock to the store and begin chain smoking right outside it. Trust me, I was that young once, and I really wasn't affected by movies all that much. I just watched a film and thought, "well that was funny or exciting or can we buy it in stores to watch at home."
This novel seems to be highly connective with today's world, despite the fact that it was written over 50 years ago. Frightening, isn't it? Well, the story was a little extreme, but I feel that it was okay. Not particlarly amusing or entertaining, but still quite interesting.
Also, it is possible to have a country ruled by minorities. By ruled I mean obsessively hypersensitive to the desires of minorities. Examining Election '08 and even popular reality shows seem to emphasize and make spectacle of different races of people. At every turn there is supposed to be some sharp division between one person and the guy standing right next to him, something that supposedly sets them apart, even against, each other irreparably, a division of some sort. And if it isn't an attempt to catagorize and make people the epitome and representation of their people, it's the obsessive attempt to get one's own way using racism and hatred as an excuse. Now, I'm all for people speaking out against others if they truly have been discriminated against, and I do know that there are some very warped people in this country. However, what I do not approve of is to make every case involving a white man and another ethnicity a racism case, to make everything the struggle of a minority against an intolerant world. There will always be racism, but not everyone is a racist, and just because something does not go your way does not mean that it was rigged against them. Additionally, some people will make comments against other ethnicities because they're complete jerkwads. This does NOT, in my opinion, justify a crusade. We do live in a free country, and sadly certain intolerant jerkwads have the right to be such jerkwads. However, it does not mean that if someone's called a bad word they need to parade, march, riot, threaten, and otherwise mass at the government's door in an attempt to seek reparations as if they've been shot or raped or otherwise. And although I do not think that we will ever begin burning books by the masses, consider the debate on whether movies with smoking need to be rated R. Now I really think that's a bit of an overreaction; if parents have that little control over their kids (or we're that weak-minded, and I doubt we are) then they really shouldn't be parents. Besides, just because they see something on TV does not mean that they will flock to the store and begin chain smoking right outside it. Trust me, I was that young once, and I really wasn't affected by movies all that much. I just watched a film and thought, "well that was funny or exciting or can we buy it in stores to watch at home."
This novel seems to be highly connective with today's world, despite the fact that it was written over 50 years ago. Frightening, isn't it? Well, the story was a little extreme, but I feel that it was okay. Not particlarly amusing or entertaining, but still quite interesting.
Monday, October 15, 2007
U2 song analysis
Well, the song definitely has a connection or three to The Handmaid's Tale. The first lines begin with not believing what is seen and heard, but rather to just close your eyes and sense "the enemy." That, I believe, can also be said of the novel; it's a little restrictive and aggressive, and those Guardians really do a little more than just guarding. They are more often than not the agents of justice, if one could call them that. Contrary to popular enforced opinion, the people claiming to be the good guys are really more like the bad guys. Or, to view this from another point, this is also the idea that was drilled into the women's heads day after day, that the people walking next to them are simply feral animals. Don't trust the others beside you, they simply want to use you, only the best of the military is your friend...perhaps?
The next lines pertain to a somewhat defeated woman, which can be said about most of the women in the Republic, being stripped of their freedom and dignity. No one really likes the new order. Offred, however, continually finds hope in her imagination, and believes that there may be a time when she can escape all that is around her. In other words, the refrain of the song fits in perfectly here.
There were several references to wanting to be part of something that could be believed in. Now, the women of the Republic are more or less excluded from the world, and just exist. But what else is there to do? There is no real religion or movement, they've all been stamped out, save for one which everyone absolutely HATES. There's no point in being of something unless you believe in it. It makes it all worthwhile to do something you want to do; it gives a sense of individuality, and importance.
"Take a cup, fill it up, drink it slow"... well, I'd say it pertains to the desire to be able to enjoy oneself and really take the time to do so, rather than to just speed through your life. This connects fairly strongly to how Offred lived her life before the (I guess I'll call it) coup, just passing through the hotels, not knowing the details, just having sex and moving on...and then later regretting it because now there's absolutely nothing. A message to experience and enjoy all parts of one's life, to not take things for granted. Or it could just be the usual sensual line, which would connect to how Offred misses Luke. The usual love song lines.
The little two-liner right below the last refrain hints at how everything has already been done and no one knows what to do. Perhaps it stands for the fact that there's nothing else to do except to wait out the storm and continue on, enduring for the moment when it all gets overturned. Everybody else has already died in one way or another doing something radical. Maybe the successful thing to do is the idea no one's suggested, not doing anything?
I've been rambling so I'll wrap up the last stanza as fast as possible. The song references stashing and seizing, and responsibility begun from dreams. That most likely is a message to take what you can to survive and prepare for any possible chance in the future, and that if you dream you'd better be able to fulfill it. Don't just wish, but make it happen as well. Offred should be doing everything she can to not get killed and to be able to find her missing family. And she's struggling with it a little, but is doing that.
Continuing from that, dreaming out loud to find a way out. That most likely translates to the fact that the only thing that you need to get away from all the madness is to hope and dream. Believe and it will take you far. Offred's dreams, I think, will probably get her somewhere other than the normal daily trudge and duty, at one point or another. To find Luke and her daughter will most likely drag her out of the social catastrophe.
In short: Believe, do not give up hope, eventually you'll figure it out and succeed so long as you keep at it. And, of course, the acrobat line refers to the fact that Offred and just about everyone else is playing the part of the obedient citizen while they really wish the guys in charge would just hurry up and explode.
The next lines pertain to a somewhat defeated woman, which can be said about most of the women in the Republic, being stripped of their freedom and dignity. No one really likes the new order. Offred, however, continually finds hope in her imagination, and believes that there may be a time when she can escape all that is around her. In other words, the refrain of the song fits in perfectly here.
There were several references to wanting to be part of something that could be believed in. Now, the women of the Republic are more or less excluded from the world, and just exist. But what else is there to do? There is no real religion or movement, they've all been stamped out, save for one which everyone absolutely HATES. There's no point in being of something unless you believe in it. It makes it all worthwhile to do something you want to do; it gives a sense of individuality, and importance.
"Take a cup, fill it up, drink it slow"... well, I'd say it pertains to the desire to be able to enjoy oneself and really take the time to do so, rather than to just speed through your life. This connects fairly strongly to how Offred lived her life before the (I guess I'll call it) coup, just passing through the hotels, not knowing the details, just having sex and moving on...and then later regretting it because now there's absolutely nothing. A message to experience and enjoy all parts of one's life, to not take things for granted. Or it could just be the usual sensual line, which would connect to how Offred misses Luke. The usual love song lines.
The little two-liner right below the last refrain hints at how everything has already been done and no one knows what to do. Perhaps it stands for the fact that there's nothing else to do except to wait out the storm and continue on, enduring for the moment when it all gets overturned. Everybody else has already died in one way or another doing something radical. Maybe the successful thing to do is the idea no one's suggested, not doing anything?
I've been rambling so I'll wrap up the last stanza as fast as possible. The song references stashing and seizing, and responsibility begun from dreams. That most likely is a message to take what you can to survive and prepare for any possible chance in the future, and that if you dream you'd better be able to fulfill it. Don't just wish, but make it happen as well. Offred should be doing everything she can to not get killed and to be able to find her missing family. And she's struggling with it a little, but is doing that.
Continuing from that, dreaming out loud to find a way out. That most likely translates to the fact that the only thing that you need to get away from all the madness is to hope and dream. Believe and it will take you far. Offred's dreams, I think, will probably get her somewhere other than the normal daily trudge and duty, at one point or another. To find Luke and her daughter will most likely drag her out of the social catastrophe.
In short: Believe, do not give up hope, eventually you'll figure it out and succeed so long as you keep at it. And, of course, the acrobat line refers to the fact that Offred and just about everyone else is playing the part of the obedient citizen while they really wish the guys in charge would just hurry up and explode.
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