Everyone keeps nibbling at the edges and getting parts of it. I believe, this is the definitive explanation of the meaning of this song.
Backdrop:
At the time this song was written Atlantic City, after decades of decay, was in the beginning stages of a re-birth due to the legalization of Casino Gambling (first Casino opened in 1978). All who opposed and even some who were in favor of Atlantic City gambling saw it as the "easy way out" or "any port in a storm" to the economic woes of Atlantic City.
The person in the song serves at a personal symbolic embodiment of this "choice" Atlantic City made. For example, The song talks about the fact that despite saving money he could not keep up with his debts. This is symbolic of Atlantic City as a whole and its financial condition prior to the Casinos.
In the end, instead of making the harder choices the main character takes the "path of least resistance" and does a "favor" for the mob. This is allegorical with Atlantic City did.
The song of one of Springsteen in his highest form because of these two layers woven so organically. From the standpoint of literature, I see this song a poetic masterpiece for this reason. The more personal and detailed he is about the main character, the more he says about the allegory. So the more he draws you into this man, personally, the more you can more viscerally understand the real realities facing Atlantic City itself.
Today Atlantic City is richer and has "come back" but the question is whether it was worth it. The song does not answer this question. It simply paints the picture of what was happening.
Ultimately, the song is BOTH about the man and the choices we face but also a real quality commentary on a big Jersery of that day. One should not detract from the other, but only add to the understanding of each.
Everyone keeps nibbling at the edges and getting parts of it. I believe, this is the definitive explanation of the meaning of this song.
Backdrop: At the time this song was written Atlantic City, after decades of decay, was in the beginning stages of a re-birth due to the legalization of Casino Gambling (first Casino opened in 1978). All who opposed and even some who were in favor of Atlantic City gambling saw it as the "easy way out" or "any port in a storm" to the economic woes of Atlantic City.
The person in the song serves at a personal symbolic embodiment of this "choice" Atlantic City made. For example, The song talks about the fact that despite saving money he could not keep up with his debts. This is symbolic of Atlantic City as a whole and its financial condition prior to the Casinos.
In the end, instead of making the harder choices the main character takes the "path of least resistance" and does a "favor" for the mob. This is allegorical with Atlantic City did.
The song of one of Springsteen in his highest form because of these two layers woven so organically. From the standpoint of literature, I see this song a poetic masterpiece for this reason. The more personal and detailed he is about the main character, the more he says about the allegory. So the more he draws you into this man, personally, the more you can more viscerally understand the real realities facing Atlantic City itself.
Today Atlantic City is richer and has "come back" but the question is whether it was worth it. The song does not answer this question. It simply paints the picture of what was happening.
Ultimately, the song is BOTH about the man and the choices we face but also a real quality commentary on a big Jersery of that day. One should not detract from the other, but only add to the understanding of each.