i interpreted this song as a commentary on religious dogma.
the first verse deals with the obvious physical suffering that religion itself has generated in the world, yet the negligence with which religious people approach it. that is, the truth that "twists" is the proclaimed religious method towards perfection, while in reality it creates many hardships (which is why the angel's candle is waxed in black).
the second verse is difficult to understand.
in the third verse, the savage soldier and deaf man, i think, are representative of those peoples for whom the religious prerequisites to enter heaven (Eden) are impossible to achieve.
the fourth verse deals with the treatment of other religion/belief systems by a certain religious dogma. that is, aladdin can represent the islamic world. the golden calf, in the bible is "wrongly" worshipped by townsfolk who are subsequently punished. alternatively, it can be taken to represent hinduism/religions of the east, in which the cow is often considered sacred. utopian hermit monks are obvious in their representation of alternative belief systems. "you will not hear a laugh" outside the gates of eden - this line depicts the relationship of that particular dogma to all the aforementioned beliefs; that is, all of those other beliefs are null and void, and only that particular religious dogma offers happiness.
the next verse is critical of the hierarchy that organized religion often creates. that is, churches and popes and monks, etc. all collect dues and money to support the organization; the "normal" people are to look to them for guidance. the last line in this verse illustrates the contradiction between this state of affairs and that promised by religion; in other words, all those popes and religious leaders have no advantage in the afterlife, yet they are to be revered and served in real life.
the next verse is very cryptic, but i think that the "gray flannel dwarf" should represent all those white-collar businessmen who cheat others out of their money and posessions and cause trouble. however, this dwarf is forgiven after he cries for repentence, since "there are no sins inside the gates of eden."
the next verse is about the inherent nullification of real life experiences that the existence of a heaven brings about. that is, real life means nothing in light of an eternal heaven, in which all those things we are "supposed" to do in earthly life - like reject material possessions, educate ourselves, etc. - mean nothing and do not have to be adhered to in Eden; nor does philosophy or intelligence or even personality mean anything in Eden. (they discuss what's real, paupers change possessions - none of it matters)
this next verse i am quite sure of. the bed that the "foreign sun" sets upon is the deathbed, of resignation from life. many wish to simply not exist (for any number of reasons, eternal life may not be enticing). however, this is impossible in Eden, since there is offered only eternal life. "leaving men wholly, totally free to do anything they wish to do but die."
finally the last verse, i think may be revisiting the idea that personal relationships, life, philosophical pondering and everything we do here loses meaning and significance with the existence of Eden; more particularly, however, i think it posits that free thought, and personal conclusions are impossible with the existence of an ultimate, absolute, authoritative Truth, like Eden.
that is my humble interpretation of this one of Dylan's finest, most poetic songs.
i interpreted this song as a commentary on religious dogma. the first verse deals with the obvious physical suffering that religion itself has generated in the world, yet the negligence with which religious people approach it. that is, the truth that "twists" is the proclaimed religious method towards perfection, while in reality it creates many hardships (which is why the angel's candle is waxed in black). the second verse is difficult to understand. in the third verse, the savage soldier and deaf man, i think, are representative of those peoples for whom the religious prerequisites to enter heaven (Eden) are impossible to achieve. the fourth verse deals with the treatment of other religion/belief systems by a certain religious dogma. that is, aladdin can represent the islamic world. the golden calf, in the bible is "wrongly" worshipped by townsfolk who are subsequently punished. alternatively, it can be taken to represent hinduism/religions of the east, in which the cow is often considered sacred. utopian hermit monks are obvious in their representation of alternative belief systems. "you will not hear a laugh" outside the gates of eden - this line depicts the relationship of that particular dogma to all the aforementioned beliefs; that is, all of those other beliefs are null and void, and only that particular religious dogma offers happiness. the next verse is critical of the hierarchy that organized religion often creates. that is, churches and popes and monks, etc. all collect dues and money to support the organization; the "normal" people are to look to them for guidance. the last line in this verse illustrates the contradiction between this state of affairs and that promised by religion; in other words, all those popes and religious leaders have no advantage in the afterlife, yet they are to be revered and served in real life. the next verse is very cryptic, but i think that the "gray flannel dwarf" should represent all those white-collar businessmen who cheat others out of their money and posessions and cause trouble. however, this dwarf is forgiven after he cries for repentence, since "there are no sins inside the gates of eden." the next verse is about the inherent nullification of real life experiences that the existence of a heaven brings about. that is, real life means nothing in light of an eternal heaven, in which all those things we are "supposed" to do in earthly life - like reject material possessions, educate ourselves, etc. - mean nothing and do not have to be adhered to in Eden; nor does philosophy or intelligence or even personality mean anything in Eden. (they discuss what's real, paupers change possessions - none of it matters) this next verse i am quite sure of. the bed that the "foreign sun" sets upon is the deathbed, of resignation from life. many wish to simply not exist (for any number of reasons, eternal life may not be enticing). however, this is impossible in Eden, since there is offered only eternal life. "leaving men wholly, totally free to do anything they wish to do but die." finally the last verse, i think may be revisiting the idea that personal relationships, life, philosophical pondering and everything we do here loses meaning and significance with the existence of Eden; more particularly, however, i think it posits that free thought, and personal conclusions are impossible with the existence of an ultimate, absolute, authoritative Truth, like Eden.
that is my humble interpretation of this one of Dylan's finest, most poetic songs.
This was very helpful, thanks
This was very helpful, thanks