I adore Suzanne Vega, and after hearing that song, I promptly went and bought all her albums! She is equally amazing as a singer and a writer, and you have not listened to her other songs, you should!
(1) I believe the song is a narrative ballad not an allegory. I've noticed allegorical and symbolic elements to SV's music, but she strikes me as a writer who likes to convey a mood or a truth through a story. Ludlow Street is about loneliness, remembering, mourning, and moving on. No Cheap Thrill is about human folly concerning risks and the gamble of life. Blood Makes Noise is about madness and the how things like murder and violence are caused by a certain insanity. New York is a Woman is about how the glamor of a great city is only skin deep, and how in the end - "New York is a woman, she'll make you cry, and to her, you're just another guy." All of this, is told through stories. QatS covers themes of war, love, and choices.
(3) Irene is the queen, obviously, :) and Gen is the soldier, thought I also believe the soldier could represent other members of her court. The solider at first is angry with the queen, calling her a child playing at war, but when he sees the sadness in her eyes and how young she is, he understands her better and pities her. He even offers her a chance to reconsider. She considers the offer, but ultimately rejects it, choosing to continue what she has always know, the battle.
(4) Mentions of colors such as red and gold symbolize such things as blood and the shining hope of new light. Pretty straight forward color symbols. I believe Megan does some of the same things. Irene is both associated with red (blood) and green (life). This represents a certain contradiction that is an essential part of Irene's character.
(5) As I said before, the song is a story that teaches a lesson about human nature. It can apply to people in general, but it's also a ballad about two individuals. I feel that the death is literal, but could also be a general symbol concerning the choices of the queen. I can't say the song has no symbolical elements. Lines such as "the crown had fallen" are obviously symbolic.
(6) The song is soothing at the same time it is horrifying. It's a raw yet soft melody about war, strife, death, and the human nature that tends to drive it. Megan addresses many of the same themes in her books. If you can keep a story that is about war and lose straight up, not sugar-coated, but still keep the hope and the reasons behind the issues a real part of the story, than you know you've got yourself a fascinating tale. No matter the media.
(7) She would have lost her heart eventual and her mind soon after. Likely, she would have run out of options and have eventually been dethroned by an enemy or forced to marry a Mede. I also see her being pushed further towards the edge, until, she eventually comprised all her principles.
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Date: 10/16/11 08:50 am (UTC)(1) I believe the song is a narrative ballad not an allegory. I've noticed allegorical and symbolic elements to SV's music, but she strikes me as a writer who likes to convey a mood or a truth through a story. Ludlow Street is about loneliness, remembering, mourning, and moving on. No Cheap Thrill is about human folly concerning risks and the gamble of life. Blood Makes Noise is about madness and the how things like murder and violence are caused by a certain insanity. New York is a Woman is about how the glamor of a great city is only skin deep, and how in the end - "New York is a woman, she'll make you cry, and to her, you're just another guy." All of this, is told through stories. QatS covers themes of war, love, and choices.
(3) Irene is the queen, obviously, :) and Gen is the soldier, thought I also believe the soldier could represent other members of her court. The solider at first is angry with the queen, calling her a child playing at war, but when he sees the sadness in her eyes and how young she is, he understands her better and pities her. He even offers her a chance to reconsider. She considers the offer, but ultimately rejects it, choosing to continue what she has always know, the battle.
(4) Mentions of colors such as red and gold symbolize such things as blood and the shining hope of new light. Pretty straight forward color symbols. I believe Megan does some of the same things. Irene is both associated with red (blood) and green (life). This represents a certain contradiction that is an essential part of Irene's character.
(5) As I said before, the song is a story that teaches a lesson about human nature. It can apply to people in general, but it's also a ballad about two individuals. I feel that the death is literal, but could also be a general symbol concerning the choices of the queen. I can't say the song has no symbolical elements. Lines such as "the crown had fallen" are obviously symbolic.
(6) The song is soothing at the same time it is horrifying. It's a raw yet soft melody about war, strife, death, and the human nature that tends to drive it. Megan addresses many of the same themes in her books. If you can keep a story that is about war and lose straight up, not sugar-coated, but still keep the hope and the reasons behind the issues a real part of the story, than you know you've got yourself a fascinating tale. No matter the media.
(7) She would have lost her heart eventual and her mind soon after. Likely, she would have run out of options and have eventually been dethroned by an enemy or forced to marry a Mede. I also see her being pushed further towards the edge, until, she eventually comprised all her principles.
All in all, I love this song! - <3
Edited because I cannot spell today!