| Phish – Esther Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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I don't think of Ester's death as a literal death. I think of it as the death of her innocence. I believe that the doll may (from the writer's perspective) represent a number of things that may bring about such a proverbial death. Most people have suggested drugs and prostitution. I think one may add to this list of possibilities pregnancy at a young age, as possibly represented by the doll. The churchgoers' response to her doll is equally plausible (and understandable from a reactionary point of view) if one thinks of the doll as an unplanned child. Through this interpretation, Ester's childhood is summarily (and prematurely) brought to an end when faced with the responsibility of caring for her own child in the face of being shunned by the people around her. Hawthorne would be proud. |
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