thelitteam
tammyebbHere is a fairly new song (the album, Abnormally Attracted to Sin, was released last year) written by Tori Amos, inspired by the character Ophelia. I did a bit of research and found this reference on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abnormally_Attracted_to_Sin):
‘(In), “Ophelia”, from the album, Amos addresses her own moments of insecurity and self-loathing as a “mature woman”. She observed, “The self-harming mind tries to gain [the] control that [it] feels has been taken from [it]. It’s this very strange paradox where, by doing the wounding on yourself, you’re in the power position. Although, the idea that you’ve become your own abuser – it’s not necessarily being grasped. And so, you can step into that “Ophelia” state of mind – however old you are – where you start that downward spiral and you’re not on the ‘front-foot’ anymore in life, you’re on the ‘back foot’, and there’s a victimization-energy around you.”
This, I think, offers an interesting perspective on the position of Ophelia: to what extent is she her own abuser in the end, in the same vein that suicide is ultimately an attack on oneself. How is the position and power of the woman compromised to the extent that she wants to hurt and destroy herself instead of empowering herself or doing things which are good for her?
My husband and I actually had a similar discussion just this morning because he realised that in the last couple of days I’ve chewed my fingernails right down, and he says that it saddens him that I don’t take better care of myself. And it really made me stop and think: yeah, why do I do that? Why do I make time for other people and other things but can’t take five minutes just to trim and file my nails nicely so that I can have hands I’m not ashamed of? Why do I make myself feel ugly, even on this comparatively low-level way?
It’s the details, people: it’s the details that will give you the clues about all the questions you care to ask about your own lives.
Anyway, here’s the youtube MTV of the song — Tori tends to do rather non-mainstream music videos. This one puzzled me intensely, as did some of the others off the album. But the song is wonderful. 
I’ve placed the lyrics below for you as well. Enjoy!
Ophelia by Tori Amos
Ophelia your secret is safe
Ophelia you must break the chain
some girls will get their way
some fathers will control from the grave
Ophelia you must remember
Veronica’s America is not like–
is not like Charlotte’s, one to savor
cosmic flavor
then Alison whispers, “remember
Change waltzes in with her sister Pain
waiting for you to send her away
wish her well break the chain
break the chain”
I feel you
Ophelia
“The Eve of St. Agnes”,
a poem he can’t reach you in
Ophelia you know how to lose
but when will you learn to choose
those men who choose to stay
those mothers who won’t look the other way
Ophelia you must remember
Veronica’s America is not like—
is not like Charlotte’s, one to savor
cosmic flavor
then Alison whispers,” remember
Change waltzes in with her sister Pain
waiting for you to send her away
wish her well break the chain
break the chain”
I feel you
Ophelia
A live version of the song is always amazing to watch because the artiste will improvise various parts of the song, or create new emphasis…
