The Wall- sad or optimistic ending?

oliverstoned wrote: false happy end? the wall will reconstruct

Yes, it's a false happy ending. When the listener is just starting to enjoy the main character's relief, the words: "Isn't it..." sound right in the end. The sentence is complete with the words "... where we started?", which is why the circular structure of the concept hints to the point that the happy end is not really THE end. Maybe it's not cynical: perhaps it's more realisitic. Tearing down our walls is not something you can do only once in your lifetime; you have to do it constantly, since you always get hurt in one way or another, and your "natural" tendency is to retreat in order not to get hurt anymore, and then you remember than closing down on yourself is even more hurtful (to yoursef and your significant others), and you have to open up once again, and then, when you open your heart, somethig will happen or someone will do or say something that will hurt you deeply... and the wheel of pain-and-redemption goes on and on.

Regards.

Cesar got it

A big cycle

Man With Hat wrote: A big cycle

Man With Hat stated it with precise concision: it's a cycle. Unlike IQ's "Subterranea", which portrays a journey with a specific beginning and a definite end. The main character in "Subterranea" is released from the environment he has always known (a cell in a sinister castel htat works as a big psychiatric lab) to experience life in te hreal world. Having done that, and having even tried to leave his past behind (he leads an attempt of rebellion against Dr. Mockenrue, the director of that psych. lab), he returns mildly to his original cell, accepting his own fate: he is destined to be a slave of Dr. Mockenrue, this is his role in this world. It's a sad ending, too, since the main character finds that acceptance is the best thing he can do, but in his personal case, it is the acceptance of a fatal destiny.

The concept of "The Wall" states not a ride from a beginning to an end, but a cycle that leads us to the same starting point in the end. It would be interesting that some band did a concept album from the "outside the wall" point of view, don't you think? "Subterranea" deals with this topic in a way, but its main focus is on perspective, rebellion and acceptance.

Regards.