2112 (8-25-13)

For homework we were assigned to do some textbook reading on theme, which talked about what everyday people perceive to be theme, the differences between a “theme” and a “moral”, and how we should go about identifying a theme within a story. It all seems very simple to understand until one tries to apply these ideas within the context of a complex storyline, something I thought that I should try to do. My mind immediately went not to a profound literary work of art nor a grandiose cinematic production, but rather, went instead to thinking of the multiple themes that lay behind “2112”, a Rush song that actually draws inspiration from the ideas of Ayn Rand, author of Anthem and The Fountainhead, both of which have drawn awe and controversy for their underlying meanings. Above this immensely technical and progressive work of music lies a story that heavily criticizes the nature of the mass against the individual, the dangers of government, and the power of individuality. The story surrounds a character, referred to only as Anonymous, who in the year 2112 in Megadon City has been living out his simple existence in the aftermath of a great war and the creation of the Red Solar Federation. He does not realize in his ignorance that this is a full-on totalitarian government constantly controlling every aspect of human life. But in his blind ignorance he relishes in the thought of having his life in the hands of a manipulative political force, referred to as Priests, who dwell in the Temples of Syrinx. He relays his thoughts saying “I believed what I was told. I thought it was a good life, I thought I was happy…I have always been awed by them, to think that every single facet of every life is regulated and directed from within! Our books, our music, our work and play are all looked after by the benevolent wisdom of the priests…”. The priests, who seem to have a god-like status living in their illustrious temples have “taken care of everything, the words you hear, the songs you sing the pictures that give pleasure to your eyes” as they blot out every sense of freedom that a person may have, very much indicative to the nature of an all-controlling “Big Brother” from 1984. While this may lead several people to believe that the underlying theme of the story to be one filled with paranoia and a political lash out against the nature of socialist and communist governments, like George Orwell and his nightmarish fabrication, as the story continues a new controlling idea emerges: the power of the individual and his fight against the mass. Our Anonymous hero is awakened from his propaganda-filled daze when he stumbles in a cave upon an artifact of an ancient time fully symbolic of liberty, freedom, and individuality: a guitar. “I found it. I brushed away the dust of the years, and picked it up, holding it reverently in
my hands. I had no idea what it might be, but it was beautiful”. The character revels in his newfound discovery and the idea that he can produce something that is his own creation, not that which is of an over-reaching group of tyrants. Yet in his ignorance he wishes to present his discovery to the Priests, naively thinking they will share in the find the artifact that has the same power of expression as does written word. In his humble presentation, thinking his music can change how the priests think and control people’s lives, the head priest Father Brown reacts in fury and destroys his beloved treasure, calling it “Another toy that helped destroy
the elder race [those who lived before the creation of the Red Solar Federation] of man. Forget about your silly whim, it doesn't fit the plan”. Disillusioned after his loss to the mentality of the masses, he wanders home and has a vision: a glimpse of how life used to be, full of the expression of individual thought and freedom and where creativity could flourish. He vividly describes his dream, saying, “I see still the incredible beauty of the sculptured cities and the pure spirit of man revealed in the lives and works of this world”. Yet as he joyously revels in his second ancient discovery, a harsh truth hits him: “how meaningless life had become with the loss of all these things”. He awakens with a start, realizes his perfect world was only a dream, and retreats to the cave where the spark of freedom was first ignited. It is here he realizes what his future has in store for him: “I can no longer live under the control of the Federation…My last hope is that with my death I may pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last”. As he takes his life and his broken form hits the cold cave floor, it may seem that the fire of freedom had been extinguished but wildfires are not easily subdued, and following the Anonymous hero’s the elder race, which had been in hiding the whole time successfully defeated the Red Solar Federation and prepare to return the world to how things once were. So, with the entire story in mind alongside the sub-themes that were broken down with the progression of the tale, the question remains as to what is the overarching insight that should be gained from this piece. In my opinion, the controlling idea revolves around how the Anonymous hero changes, going from ignorance, to excitement, to all-knowing, and finally to mournful. His constant changing reflects the overall human nature, always being shaped by the circumstances of our daily lives. But underneath the constant shifts there is a warning that we should not allow our circumstances to dictate us based on our past, but let us define our circumstances based on who we are now and let us use this strength to guide us into the right future.