Sylvia (An Introduction)

I found this really interesting. It is basically a more literal, less allegorical version of the Hospice story, woven over one song rather than several.

This sounds like a well-blended 'Bear' and 'Epilogue' mix, doesn't it? Edges a little more to Epilogue, but still, all three sound really similar, the main difference located in the chorus. Was that on purpose or on accident? I like to think it was done deliberately; as if Prologue and Epilogue are parallel stories to each other. 'Prologue' appears to be the events just after the beginning of the album- when it was told that our patient (I'm going to call her Sylvia for simplicity's sake) was diagnosed with a terminal illness. It's hard to interpret, at least, for me, so I may go about it a little literally- with prior knowledge that Sylvia is a cancer patient (bone cancer, to be specific), she probably knew she had the cancer even when she was a child (it was most likely inactive until the events of the album, however). At this point, they're both supportive of each other and Peter Silberman is trying his hardest to support her. In other words, their love hasn't gone downhill yet. However, he doesn't know how she feels. He cannot relate to her anger towards herself being sick nor can he relate to her own self-criticsm and guiltiness towards that dead boy. In 'Wake', which is, I believe, a song dedicated to his friends who he shut out when caring for Sylvia, he states, 'Some patients can't be saved; but that burden's not on you'. I feel that this line is from his friends and co-workers; as kind as these words are, however, they do not understand how he feels at this point. By Epilogue- which, I believe is several weeks or even months after Sylvia's death- an interesting change occurs. Prologue and Epilogue are closely tied to each other. Pro and Ep repeat the same line- "[His/Your] face is up against [yours/mine] and [you're/I'm] too terrified to speak ". Sylvia must have gone through a similar experience to Peter's when she was younger. She must have gotten treatment for her underlying cancer when she was young, and might have met someone who was going through similar- if not, worse- situations. They might have gotten close as friends; obviously, however, he died and she felt guilty. (At this point, I'm kind of just inferring, without any evidence- I don't think she felt guilty for causing his death. I think she felt guilty because, maybe, she thought she should've been a better friend, should've made him happier, etc). In 'Prologue', Peter says "I won't pretend I understand, because I can't and know I never will." While it's not stated in Epilogue that he has now understood her (or at least, is able to relate to her at some level) at this point, it's certainly implied, especially in that repetitive line. I believe that this entire album's story did not consist only of the downfall of what was once a perfect relationship- I believe it was a relationship that was imperfect in the first place, got worse, and, morbidly, came to a satisfied end. Sylvia and Peter most likely did not see eye to eye during her illness- her anger towards him and his ever-growing frustration and exasperation with having to put up with it- he never understood why she did what she did. He questions it constantly throughout the album. He knows it's because she's angry that she was ill- however, he doesn't relate to the feeling. By Epilogue, he has understood her- he has realized the feeling of losing someone so close, and the feeling of anger towards oneself for not being able to keep them from that fate. Now, he can truly come to terms with not only the death of his beloved but the death of their relationship.

Several things, however, I can't make good sense of- could someone explain? He makes several remarks about Sylvia putting her head under a stove, or under a house; he also makes several remarks about relating dreams to stories and nightmares being woven. I know it is significant, however I can't...seem to say what they represent.

Correct lyrics:

When you were younger, you had nightmares You had scissor-pain and phantom limbs And things that kept you nervous Through that twelve-year interim

When you fell crossing that street South of Houston, old Manhattan land Those nightmares fell from building-tops And took you by the hand

And you were brought into those rooms With sliding curtains, shining children's heads And one of them, that boy Was not as lucky as you then

But he returns to you at night Just when you think you might have fallen asleep His face is up against yours And you're too terrified to speak

Oh, Sylvia Oh, Sylvia You may think that I'm not listening But I am, goddamn, I am

I won't pretend I understand Because I can't, and know I never will But something makes you sting And something makes you want to kill

It made you crawl under that house And stick your head under the stove It's all connected In those complicated nightmares that you wove

Oh, Sylvia Oh, Sylvia You may think that I'm not listening But I am, goddamn, I am