The meaning of the song has been detailed by Peart and Anderson.
This aspect of the story is a cowardly embarrassment. I remember when the band used to sing enthusiastically about fighting forces that hold you back and fighting oppression. They end their career with this whimper, where their protagonist (Owen) pats himself on the back because "he's not like them". He's so self-satisfied that makes no effort to resist the murderous terrorist "Anarchist", not the fascistic "Clockmaker". The Anarchist had just engineered the murder of his friends (as detailed in the song 'The Wreckers'). It's cowardly to present as a hero somebody who "wishes well" people who are enemies of humanity.
@unsaved I at first thought this song was a big "F you..." and "Talk to the hand." But you're saying this is a surrender? Is there any aspect of the story telling us who is better off? The oppressed Hero in smug righteousness? Or the oppressors?
@unsaved I at first thought this song was a big "F you..." and "Talk to the hand." But you're saying this is a surrender? Is there any aspect of the story telling us who is better off? The oppressed Hero in smug righteousness? Or the oppressors?
The meaning of the song has been detailed by Peart and Anderson.
This aspect of the story is a cowardly embarrassment. I remember when the band used to sing enthusiastically about fighting forces that hold you back and fighting oppression. They end their career with this whimper, where their protagonist (Owen) pats himself on the back because "he's not like them". He's so self-satisfied that makes no effort to resist the murderous terrorist "Anarchist", not the fascistic "Clockmaker". The Anarchist had just engineered the murder of his friends (as detailed in the song 'The Wreckers'). It's cowardly to present as a hero somebody who "wishes well" people who are enemies of humanity.
@unsaved I at first thought this song was a big "F you..." and "Talk to the hand." But you're saying this is a surrender? Is there any aspect of the story telling us who is better off? The oppressed Hero in smug righteousness? Or the oppressors?
@unsaved I at first thought this song was a big "F you..." and "Talk to the hand." But you're saying this is a surrender? Is there any aspect of the story telling us who is better off? The oppressed Hero in smug righteousness? Or the oppressors?