I think it's worth mentioning that there seems to be a lot of subtle references to Martin Buber, an Austrian philosopher born on February 8th 1878. His book 'Ich und Du' (translated 'I and Thou') has solipsistic roots. Also, his writing style was in line with much of what we know Aaron reads.
You could at least try to disguise your writing by not including such big words as "solipsistic" (which I'm guessin' has nothing to do with a Slavic lollipop) and avoiding a reference to a philosopher only you would know off the top of your handsome little head. Geesh. Oh, and toss in your song choice and I'm guessin' you REALLY think I'm a true blonde :)
You could at least try to disguise your writing by not including such big words as "solipsistic" (which I'm guessin' has nothing to do with a Slavic lollipop) and avoiding a reference to a philosopher only you would know off the top of your handsome little head. Geesh. Oh, and toss in your song choice and I'm guessin' you REALLY think I'm a true blonde :)
My apologies. I didn't mean to sound pretentious. I was referring to a line in the last verse, "Now I saw how far I travelled down the solipsistic road." Solipsism is the philosophy that all that one can know for sure is the existence of the mind. Nothing outside this can be known for sure (think Descartes). As I continue to contemplate this song along with the rest of the album, I finally feel that I am beginning to understand, although this particular song really only made sense to me in the context of 'February,...
My apologies. I didn't mean to sound pretentious. I was referring to a line in the last verse, "Now I saw how far I travelled down the solipsistic road." Solipsism is the philosophy that all that one can know for sure is the existence of the mind. Nothing outside this can be known for sure (think Descartes). As I continue to contemplate this song along with the rest of the album, I finally feel that I am beginning to understand, although this particular song really only made sense to me in the context of 'February, 1878' and 'Elephant in the Dock.'
In 'February 1878' the elephant confesses that it has "neither friend nor enemy," this along with it's admission of old age leads me to believe that its family has already passed on. Immediately after this line, the elephant also says that it is missing, "that phantom 'self-identity.'" The elephant almost seems to be surrendering right here, making no attempt to survive.
This inward retreat and journey down the road of solipsism continues in 'Elephant in the Dock' with the following statement by the elephant:
e>Elephant refused to swear the oath,
Elephant: "I don't know anything about truth,
but I know falsehood when I see it,
and it looks like this whole world you've made
This is (at least to me) a clear continuation down the same road mentioned here in 'Aubergine' as the elephant rejects the material world of man. This inward journey reaches true solipsism in the last verse of 'Elephant in the Dock' as the elephant refers to itself as a "ghost" simply watching the spectacle of the world of "falsehood."
Taking the above context into consideration, I think we can clearly see this song as the elephant's time in jail, awaiting it's hanging. It has nearly completely retreated inside it's own mind, so the first verse is her letting the already bad food further rot as she awaits her fate.
This is followed by a call out to Aubergine, who I choose to interpret as the elephant's mate, who has already died, but I'll explain that thought a bit later.
Admitedly, the presence of a labrador is a bit confusing, however I think it's one of the escaped animals calling into the dungeon from outside. Presuming the dungeon is below ground, calling down through a window, the dog would seem to be perched on the equivalent of a promontory. The dog seems to share the view of the elephant that not only the perceived world, but also time, cannot be known and is therefore some sort of illusion. Despite this, there is still a longing for accompaniment, so the elephant has not completely rejected this world or it's own body.
Two more calls out to the lost mate, followed finally by a reply:
When Aubergine speaks, presumably from the dead, he lets our elephant friend know that it can hold onto it's worldly body, but that he doesn't miss his own. Being within that body is tying her to the worldly self that her mother bore. I think the point here being that true freedom and independance cannot be achieved until we have left the flesh that came from our parents.
We conclude with a reslessness that seems almost overwhelming. Sorrel, a plant with deep roots, would not be at all comfortable in gravel, nor would a shark sleep comfortably in marshy, shoreline cord grass. At this point the elephant realizes how far it has come. The basket of eggplant, would be a symbol for all of the other friends that have passed that the elephant carries with herself. As described very well above, aubergine is another word for eggplant. Within our story, Aubergine would be the name of one dead friend, presumably a mate. The rest, still together in death, are still in a way with our elephant friend. Presumably it is these friends who ask about the passage on the wrist. I did not know that Aaron Weiss had the first Beatitude on his wrist, so cbay, I thank you for that assistance. The poor in spirit will behold the kingdom of heaven, perhaps a thought so astounding, that to the elephant, on 'death row,' the sudden realization that heaven is approaching is a thought almost too great to bear.
By all means, please disagree with me and let me know what you all think. And Jeff, don't be so self impressed by how well you can put yourself down ;)
I think it's worth mentioning that there seems to be a lot of subtle references to Martin Buber, an Austrian philosopher born on February 8th 1878. His book 'Ich und Du' (translated 'I and Thou') has solipsistic roots. Also, his writing style was in line with much of what we know Aaron reads.
You could at least try to disguise your writing by not including such big words as "solipsistic" (which I'm guessin' has nothing to do with a Slavic lollipop) and avoiding a reference to a philosopher only you would know off the top of your handsome little head. Geesh. Oh, and toss in your song choice and I'm guessin' you REALLY think I'm a true blonde :)
You could at least try to disguise your writing by not including such big words as "solipsistic" (which I'm guessin' has nothing to do with a Slavic lollipop) and avoiding a reference to a philosopher only you would know off the top of your handsome little head. Geesh. Oh, and toss in your song choice and I'm guessin' you REALLY think I'm a true blonde :)
My apologies. I didn't mean to sound pretentious. I was referring to a line in the last verse, "Now I saw how far I travelled down the solipsistic road." Solipsism is the philosophy that all that one can know for sure is the existence of the mind. Nothing outside this can be known for sure (think Descartes). As I continue to contemplate this song along with the rest of the album, I finally feel that I am beginning to understand, although this particular song really only made sense to me in the context of 'February,...
My apologies. I didn't mean to sound pretentious. I was referring to a line in the last verse, "Now I saw how far I travelled down the solipsistic road." Solipsism is the philosophy that all that one can know for sure is the existence of the mind. Nothing outside this can be known for sure (think Descartes). As I continue to contemplate this song along with the rest of the album, I finally feel that I am beginning to understand, although this particular song really only made sense to me in the context of 'February, 1878' and 'Elephant in the Dock.'
In 'February 1878' the elephant confesses that it has "neither friend nor enemy," this along with it's admission of old age leads me to believe that its family has already passed on. Immediately after this line, the elephant also says that it is missing, "that phantom 'self-identity.'" The elephant almost seems to be surrendering right here, making no attempt to survive.
This inward retreat and journey down the road of solipsism continues in 'Elephant in the Dock' with the following statement by the elephant:
e>
Elephant refused to swear the oath, Elephant: "I don't know anything about truth, but I know falsehood when I see it, and it looks like this whole world you've madeThis is (at least to me) a clear continuation down the same road mentioned here in 'Aubergine' as the elephant rejects the material world of man. This inward journey reaches true solipsism in the last verse of 'Elephant in the Dock' as the elephant refers to itself as a "ghost" simply watching the spectacle of the world of "falsehood."
Taking the above context into consideration, I think we can clearly see this song as the elephant's time in jail, awaiting it's hanging. It has nearly completely retreated inside it's own mind, so the first verse is her letting the already bad food further rot as she awaits her fate.
This is followed by a call out to Aubergine, who I choose to interpret as the elephant's mate, who has already died, but I'll explain that thought a bit later.
Admitedly, the presence of a labrador is a bit confusing, however I think it's one of the escaped animals calling into the dungeon from outside. Presuming the dungeon is below ground, calling down through a window, the dog would seem to be perched on the equivalent of a promontory. The dog seems to share the view of the elephant that not only the perceived world, but also time, cannot be known and is therefore some sort of illusion. Despite this, there is still a longing for accompaniment, so the elephant has not completely rejected this world or it's own body.
Two more calls out to the lost mate, followed finally by a reply:
When Aubergine speaks, presumably from the dead, he lets our elephant friend know that it can hold onto it's worldly body, but that he doesn't miss his own. Being within that body is tying her to the worldly self that her mother bore. I think the point here being that true freedom and independance cannot be achieved until we have left the flesh that came from our parents.
We conclude with a reslessness that seems almost overwhelming. Sorrel, a plant with deep roots, would not be at all comfortable in gravel, nor would a shark sleep comfortably in marshy, shoreline cord grass. At this point the elephant realizes how far it has come. The basket of eggplant, would be a symbol for all of the other friends that have passed that the elephant carries with herself. As described very well above, aubergine is another word for eggplant. Within our story, Aubergine would be the name of one dead friend, presumably a mate. The rest, still together in death, are still in a way with our elephant friend. Presumably it is these friends who ask about the passage on the wrist. I did not know that Aaron Weiss had the first Beatitude on his wrist, so cbay, I thank you for that assistance. The poor in spirit will behold the kingdom of heaven, perhaps a thought so astounding, that to the elephant, on 'death row,' the sudden realization that heaven is approaching is a thought almost too great to bear.
By all means, please disagree with me and let me know what you all think. And Jeff, don't be so self impressed by how well you can put yourself down ;)