A brilliant analysis! I would make one comment about the lyrics, though; I always heard the line not as, "I stand stuffed." but "I stand stock," as in standing stock still, as one might, seeing the troubling condition of his beloved. To me it makes more sense than standing stuffed, as if one's just eaten a heavy meal, but the wisdom of the Boss is in the simile, and my unhallowed hand shall not disturb it, or the song's done for.
I also wonder what you meant by "I’m a middle aged straight man’s man, but that right there is love." There's no reason in the world that such a man may not appreciate love; on the contrary, a man who can't appreciate love is not a complete man.
A brilliant analysis! I would make one comment about the lyrics, though; I always heard the line not as, "I stand stuffed." but "I stand stock," as in standing stock still, as one might, seeing the troubling condition of his beloved. To me it makes more sense than standing stuffed, as if one's just eaten a heavy meal, but the wisdom of the Boss is in the simile, and my unhallowed hand shall not disturb it, or the song's done for.
I also wonder what you meant by "I’m a middle aged straight man’s man, but that right there is love." There's no reason in the world that such a man may not appreciate love; on the contrary, a man who can't appreciate love is not a complete man.