to me this song is clearly a reference to Plato's cave analogy. For those of you who don't know, Plato's cave analogy is regarded as the most important piece of philosophical manuscript ever recorded and forms the basis of all major religions today. You can find it on the net if interested.
The way I see it, the Tambourine man is the Instructor of the analogy and Dylon sings as one cave dweller who wishes to be enlightened. This fits as Dylon was fascinated by such concepts. Some lyrics in this song fit the cave analogy word for word. "just a shadow you're seein' that he's chasin'". Could that be any clearer (to those who have read the analogy)? "My senses have been stripped" this refers to the overwhelming sensation of stepping out from the cave. Again word for word. Eventually Dylon comes to terms with his enlightenment and realises his freedom from the cave "Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow".
Even the chorus of the song summarises the analogy completely "I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to" Like a cave dweller who has 'woken up' and seen the need for an instructor, he turns to the tambourine man.
If you have no idea of what I'm talking about, I recommend you read the cave analogy- and the true meaning of this song may uncurl.
to me this song is clearly a reference to Plato's cave analogy. For those of you who don't know, Plato's cave analogy is regarded as the most important piece of philosophical manuscript ever recorded and forms the basis of all major religions today. You can find it on the net if interested.
The way I see it, the Tambourine man is the Instructor of the analogy and Dylon sings as one cave dweller who wishes to be enlightened. This fits as Dylon was fascinated by such concepts. Some lyrics in this song fit the cave analogy word for word. "just a shadow you're seein' that he's chasin'". Could that be any clearer (to those who have read the analogy)? "My senses have been stripped" this refers to the overwhelming sensation of stepping out from the cave. Again word for word. Eventually Dylon comes to terms with his enlightenment and realises his freedom from the cave "Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow".
Even the chorus of the song summarises the analogy completely "I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to" Like a cave dweller who has 'woken up' and seen the need for an instructor, he turns to the tambourine man.
If you have no idea of what I'm talking about, I recommend you read the cave analogy- and the true meaning of this song may uncurl.