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Untitled[]
Does this seem really demented to anyone else? Nathan Hale 16:19, August 12, 2010 (UTC)
- A bit morbid, sure. But demented? ...well, yea. That lady is some kind of crazy to give that poem to a little kid. Kris mailbox 16:32, August 12, 2010 (UTC)
Maybe Add Some Notes?[]
I was thinking maybe give a generalization about what the poem is about, because some sections might not be immediately apparent. Overall, it seems to be neat little poem mostly about the general living and dying in a vault, and in subtle ways it references the Lone Wanderer specifically.
- SPOILERS AHEAD*
The first section is about being born in a vault; "Grey walls, impenetrable steel", "little hands groping in subterranean uncertainty". The "purifying florescence" is obviously the lighting in the vault, as first explained by James and noticed when you begin the game as a baby. One thing I find interesting is the specific word "reborn", and not "born" when used in that line. It's one of the subtle suggestions that references the Lone Wanderer, because they were not born in the vault initially, hence being "reborn".
The next section is about the Overseer "father to me, father to all!" i.e. a ruler.
This third section is neat, especially the "Obedience is my savior!". It's again referring to the overseer, but when I think about the poem within the context of the game, it may suggest that Beatrice was influenced by isolationist propaganda to add that section.
The forth section is a conclusion. The first two lines are probably more personalized to the Lone Wanderer, who is beginning to take their first responsibilities as a resident of the vault (i.e. owning a pip-boy 3000), as it's about a person growing up.
But that third line in the forth section still has me confused "10 lies within the 101, significant at last". The "10" could be a bit of exaggeration, just to make it match up with the 101, as I can't come up with the 10 lies it could be referencing. One of the first lies that comes to mind is that the Lone Wanderer is safe within the vault (said by James on at least two occasions). This turns out untrue in the quest Escape! A second could be that the Lone Wanderer was made to believe that he/she had been born in the vault. This is supported by a dialogue option with Moriarty in Megaton (that the Wanderer didn't know initially). From there on out the other lies are probably quite minimal and could be just about anything. On another interesting note, if these are what the lies are referencing, within the context of the game this could suggest that Beatrice really is some kind of physic (goes hand in hand with the tarot card readings).
And the last two lines are about death. The vault dwellers incinerate their dead since I imagine their isn't a place to bury them.--69.204.216.160 12:47, December 19, 2012 (UTC)
--Valchrist (talk) 14:21, March 29, 2014 (UTC)
Psalm 101 theory[]
I just noticed the line "10 lies within the 101, significant at last" and it really hooked me. I've been trying to reconcile Psalm 101 between the various versions of the Bible, but even the same versions are different to different sources. I would bet I could find over 100 translations, so I will use the King James' Bible.
There's a lot of correlation to this theory, except that the way I've been counting I end up with too many lies. Perhaps I am counting them wrong, or only 10 of them lay within Vault 101.
Several of the other lines seem natural to a vault environment as well, especially 4-8. Almost if not all.
Psalm 101 deals with rules that David sets forth on how to run his house. Within context of the vault this fits perfectly, and at least half of the theme of the poem this follows vein as well.
Froward is not a typo. the definition is:fro·ward ˈfrō(w)ərd adjective 1. (of a person) difficult to deal with; contrary
So, line 4 would be: essentially "a non-believer' or an outcast, in reference to either The Lone Wanderer, or their father when it uses the word 'froward'.
101 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.
2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
5 Who so privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.
Line 8 would relate to the skeletons with picket signs outside the vault, cut off from the salvation of the 'purifying flourescence', or the City of the Lord. The city of the Lord would also be something you may be 'reborn into'.
The biblical references are further reinforces with Paul. The biblical Paul is held prisoner for years, and then when on a ship is ordered killed instead of being allowed to escape. The prisoners however survive, due to intervention by the lead soldier Julius. Paul and his band then meet a group of inhabitants, who share their fire, when a snake leaps out and bites Paul's hand. However biblical Paul does not die of his venomous wound. Apostle Paul is said to be executed (martyred) by Nero in, oddly enough, the year 110 ad. The Paul of vault is born in to a prison, is a member of the Tunnel "Snakes", is wounded by a rad scorpion and dies of an untended wound.
Jonas was trapped inside the whale. He became consumed and died. His soul left his body, leaving him essentially a soul-less still living corpse (Jonas and the whale=the first zombie?)Jonas of the bible is said to repent to the Lord and thus be spared, and spit sickly back upon the shore and sent on as a missionary. It is said that if Jonas had not repented then he shall have stayed in the belly of the whale until judgement days, or as our birthday poem suggests live and die within the vault.Similar to Paul, however we again see no divine intervention, and Jonas too is not spared.
There is also the alpha/omega quote from Revelations specifically pointed out by your father.
I'm no biblical scholar, and I'm out of time to research, but there's some food for thought. I'm starting to think there may be a bit more to this.