I see this as a reflection on mental illness. As someone with a mental illness, it can be crippling. Simply existing can feel like a chore. It isolates you from everyone else and can make you feel inhuman.
This parallels with Ratman, whose psychological afflictions are almost crippling.
This is all mirrored in the lyrics.
“It takes your mind again”
“Have you given up”
“Does it feel like a trial
Does it trouble your mind”
all seem to refer to a tiring mental anguish.
“Now you’re thinking too fast” seems to be in reference to racing or invasive thoughts.
“You’re like marbles on glass” I think refers to the phrase “you’ve lost your marbles.” But it’s also referring to the fragility that comes with having a disorder. It doesn’t take much to inspire a mental breakdown or psychological episode. “You’re marbles on glass” essentially means “your mind is fragile with its abundant thoughts.”
And that leaves us with the title - Exile Vilify. Exile, the feeling of being isolated. Vilify, the dissolusion and inhuman feeling.
So, the song is about feeling isolated by mental illness and is used by Portal 2 to illustrate Ratman’s struggle with schizophrenia.
I see this as a reflection on mental illness. As someone with a mental illness, it can be crippling. Simply existing can feel like a chore. It isolates you from everyone else and can make you feel inhuman. This parallels with Ratman, whose psychological afflictions are almost crippling. This is all mirrored in the lyrics. “It takes your mind again” “Have you given up” “Does it feel like a trial Does it trouble your mind” all seem to refer to a tiring mental anguish. “Now you’re thinking too fast” seems to be in reference to racing or invasive thoughts. “You’re like marbles on glass” I think refers to the phrase “you’ve lost your marbles.” But it’s also referring to the fragility that comes with having a disorder. It doesn’t take much to inspire a mental breakdown or psychological episode. “You’re marbles on glass” essentially means “your mind is fragile with its abundant thoughts.” And that leaves us with the title - Exile Vilify. Exile, the feeling of being isolated. Vilify, the dissolusion and inhuman feeling. So, the song is about feeling isolated by mental illness and is used by Portal 2 to illustrate Ratman’s struggle with schizophrenia.