I chose the song No Control by Bad Religion which is a punk
song from 1989. Although I think this song accurately represents the novel as a
whole, I chose the specific passage on pages 170 and 171 in which Violet is
explaining to Titus that since her feed was put in when she was older, it does
not work as well for her. This implies that since the feed attempted to control
her after her brain was already developed, they cannot control her as well as
the others, leading her to her inevitable death. The song ties into this
passage partially because of its punk genre which suits the rebellious nature
of Violet well, as the lyrics properly illustrate the complete control that the
feed has over every citizen. The desperation of the lyrics/sound in the song
also parallel Violet’s desperation to gain control over not only her mind, but
the fact that she too will “deteriorate” soon as well.
No Control by Bad Religion
Culture was the seed of proliferation
But it has gotten melded into an enharmonic whole
Consciousness has plagued us and we can not shake it
Though we think we're in control
Questions that besiege us in life
Are testament of our helplessness
"there's no vestige of a beginning,
No prospect of an end" (Hutton, 1795)
When we all disintegrate it will all happen again
Time is so rock solid in the minds of the hoards but they
can't
Explain why it should slip away
History and future are the comforts of
Our curiosity but here we are
Rooted in the present day
If you came to conquer you'll be king for a day
But you too will deteriorate and quickly fade away
And believe these words you hear
When you think your path is clear
We have no control
We do not understand
You have no control
You are not in command!
Hi Erin,
ReplyDeleteYes, this song about the individual's inability to ever be fully independent on in control works nicely with Feed. I also think the Punk genre is a good fit for the novel's genre. While the first stanzas speak to Violet's inability to gain control or master the feed, the lack of control takes on a second meaning in the final two stanzas. In those lines, I can see it applying more to her literal loss of control over her own body. So, not only does she have no control over how the Feed reads her but the Feed takes control over her body literally. Do you think that those without the Feed can maintain control?