Lit Close Reading #2

Darlene McCoy
Madeline McDonald Lane
LIT1
21 October 2010

Song of the Solar Eclipse

    Religion has been present in human society for a countless number of years. It influences a multitude of different aspects of life - including music. In fact, the first music was written for purposes of worship. A particular song of this century that has struck a chord is "Stare at the Sun" by the alternative rock band, Thrice. The tune, written by Dustin Kensrue, Thrice's vocalist, and a devout Christian at the time, has a much deeper meaning that what meets the casual listener's eyes and mind. The unsuspecting listener must be aware of specific Biblical references and read the the lyrics metaphorically to attempt to understand this existential poem to its full extent.
    The first verse begins with the lyrics, "I sit here clutching useless lists / and keys for doors that don't exist." The word "clutching" has already begun to paint a picture in the listener's mind. To "clutch" is to grip or hold tightly or firmly, as one would do with pieces of papers he is frustrated with. "Useless" further emphasizes the lyricist's discontent with his "lists" because of the negative connotation associated with the word. These "lists" may very well be scriptures. "Keys for doors that don't exist" would be quite useless, indeed, and are another example of something the lyricist has attained, but is unable to use to quite frankly, open the door to understanding. The next line, "I crack my teeth on pearls," connects to a passage in the book of Matthew: "Give not what is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before the swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." Only by knowing this passage does this line come into the light of full comprehension. The distraught lyricist is explaining that he is incapable of understanding the value of the "pearls" presented to him; he is human swine, and  he can do no more than the simple, pointless act of cracking his teeth on them. The line, "I tear into the history" adds another area where he has searched, and found nothing. The last line of the first verse, "just show me what it means to me in this world." is a plea for understanding.
    The lead line of the second verse is, "I see the parts but not the whole," or simply put, "I can understand some, but not all." It is followed by: "I study saints and scholars both / no perfect plan unfurls" - another example of the lyricist's search. He has studied both reason and religion, but nothing comes to him. "No perfect plan unfurls" because he is human; not divine, and only God is aware of the perfect plan - a point made numerous times in the Bible. He is only able to act according to his humanity. "Do I trust my heart or just my mind" is the lyricist's questioning of following either faith or reason, and then the next line, "Why is truth so hard to find in this world," rounds the second verse out in a neat package of frustration.
    In the third verse, the lyricist gives additional examples of actions he has taken in attempt to understand: "I know that there's a point I've missed / a shrine or stone I haven't kissed / a scar that never graced my wrist / a mirror that hasn't met my fist." He has either missed some point of reason, not been faithful enough, not felt enough pain, or not expressed enough frustration. He cannot find the reason for his inability to understand. He knows that somewhere in the world, there is more.
    "'Cause I am due for a miracle," is the first line of the chorus. The lyricist is begging to understand, and because he is human, he is aware that the only way for him to attain that understanding is through a miracle. Christians are taught that God will come to them in the form of some sort of sign, and "I'm waiting for a sign" conveys that he has waited for his sign, and it has not yet come. He is still searching. The rest of the chorus, "I'll stare straight into the sun / And I won't close my eyes / 'Till I understand or go blind" is the whole point of the song. It is the matrix. Psalms 84:11 reads: "For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from the that walk uprightly." With this knowledge, the sun mentioned in "I'll stare straight into the sun" becomes more than the giant hydrogen-burning star in the sky. The sun is God. The lyricist will follow God, and will continue to follow him - even through the pain induced by staring at the sun - as denoted by the line, "And I won't close my eyes." He will follow until he finally understands or loses the capability to search for understanding - "'Till I understand or go blind." He will do so because he has faith that God will give grace and glory to those who walk uprightly.
    "Stare at the Sun" was written for far more than simple entertainment or the dollars earned through record sales. Thrice has stated that, "We've always tried to do a little more than just make music." The band donates a portion of the proceeds from record sales to a charity of their choice. To believe and have faith in a being that is intangible is a burden on the mind. Dustin Kensrue, the lyricist, wrote this piece to aid those who may be questioning their faith. He is sympathizing with them: he understands that keeping faith can be frustrating. The human condition can be frustrating. Not having the ability to understand can be frustrating. He wrote the lyrics to connect with his listeners, to let them know he understands that frustration, and even the pain they may be experiencing. He has experienced this questioning of faith - and come to a conclusion. They must keep believing. They must stare at the sun; because those who stare all their lives will be rewarded. This much deeper and more meaningful message could not be derived to its full extent without knowing the reference to Matthew in the first verse, the idea that God is perfect, and that the sun is a metaphor for God. Without these integrated aspects, "Stare at the Sun" would be a simple song expressing frustration with being human.

Stare at the Sun

I sit here clutching useless lists
and keys for doors that don't exist
I crack my teeth on pearls
I tear into the history
just show me what it means to me in this world

'cause I am due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
I'll stare straight into the sun
and I won't close my eyes
'til I understand or go blind

I see the parts but not the whole
I study saints and scholars both
no perfect plan unfurls
do I trust my heart or just my mind
why is truth so hard to find in this world
yeah in this world

'cause I am due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
I'll stare straight into the sun
and I won't close my eyes
'til I understand or go blind

I know that there's a point I've missed
a shrine or stone I haven't kissed
a scar that never graced my wrist
a mirror that hasn't met my fist
but I can't help feeling like I'm

due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
I'll stare straight into the sun
and I won't close my eyes