Innocence Maintained

I think this is one of Jewel's best songs. It threads together many themes that appear in other work.

1) The importance of applying our energy to positive persuits, justice, happiness, love, beauty, caring for humanity. Let's build each other up and not destroy. "We've made houses for hatred It's time we make a place where People's souls may be seen and made safe"

2) The fragility of humanity and the power and beauty of innocence. "Be careful with each other these fragile flames Innocence can't be lost it just needs to be maintained"

3) The righteousness of tolerance for fellow humans. "Cause nature has a funny way of breaking what does not bend" "As night in the darkness spreads it's legs for hate and ignorance."

The cynical among us may scoff at these simple themes but I'd argue that these ideas are not stated often enough. And in today's society it is the cynical that has become cliche.

Jewel offers a poetic and powerful reflection on the fragility of innocence and the need to preserve it in a world often marked by hatred, violence, and suffering. She evokes powerful images such as Ophelia drowning under the weight of her own emotions, the hatred provoked by Hitler, violence in a small town in Ohio, and the inner struggles of individuals. The central message is that innocence cannot be lost, it simply must be nurtured and protected. Jewel invites us to be careful and gentle with one another, to build a safe place for people's souls, far from hatred, and to live with courage and love without fear. It is also a meditation on faith, forgiveness, and human nature.

in my opinion she is basically saying give people a chance, they may have done wrong before, but we are all human. we are all innocent if we maintain that point of view

The one question I have is the first line:

"Ophelia drowned in the water Crushed by her own weight"

I'm confused about what she means that ophelia was crushed by her own weight. I see Hamlet's Ophelia as being the senseless victim of Hamlet's path of destruction. She represents the unintended concequences of our selfish actions. Hamlet dumps her because he is consumed by the hatred for his uncle and the injustice of his father's death. Then he kills her father accidentally in a fit of rage while lashing out at his uncle and mother. Ophelia drowns herself because she cannot handle the cruelty of it all. How is this Ophelia's own weight?

If anything, she provides an example of how we need to care for all of humanity.

In my opinion, Jewel is very spiritual. If I had to guess her faith based on her songs, I would say that she is like me. She aligns herself with not one faith, but several. The most prominent appear to be Gnostic Christianity and Buddhism. In Buddhism, a common saying is that enlightenment is not something you can learn. You can only achieve it through a process of unlearning. As children, we don't have fear, hate, stereotypes, and we forgive very easily. We take a person at face value and don't judge their motives. Just because one person wrongs you doesn't mean everyone will. We leave ourselves and our hearts open. We learn the these negative behaviors along the way. We don't lose our innocence, it is always there, we just have to maintain it. All of her spiritual songs seem to have the same message. (Though beautifully put and each unique) Shed yourself of fear, hate, and anger. That is the only way to achieve true freedom/ spiritual awakening. Try to only let yourself feel positive emotions and cast that out to other people. Control no one but yourself. Love everyone. Teach others through your own actions. Live your life with meaning. I love her! At least that is how I take it. I know I may be bias... LOL Have a beautiful day!