Feedback from José Roberto de Marco

Great Job - excellent results!

Around seven years after it was written and your text remains untouched.
It's a real gift for those like me that loves Dream Theater.

My contribution for your analysis is about the phrase 47:

47  God in politicians?

I don't agree with your idea that it is a "door" for a political
approach. I need to concord that your defense of that thesis is brilliant,
but it only can be done because the text of John Petrucci is perfect in its
logic and can be used, like you do, for a variety of themes where the
duality causes deep doubts in a human person.

I believe that it is only one more question inside a tortured mind, in
following questions in phrases 45 and 46:

45  I wish that I could speak (not a question properly, but expressing a
doubt, an inquiry)
46  Is there fantasy in refuge?
47  God in politicians?

In my vision the protagonist only put a question about the different
approaches of the Old man and the widow about themes related to God. Seems
to me that "God in politicians?" show us the duality or the opposites point
of views that two politicians shows when defending the same target under
different basis. That establishes a contraposition between the approaches
of the Old Man and the window, aware us about the eternal war between the
good and the evil. It makes more intense the protagonist doubts because,
like politicians, the Old man and the widow uses their methods to conquer
his beliefs, each one in a different direction. And, accepting one, he
will, at same time, reject the other. It is a terrible struggle in the
human mind, carrying us at the edge of madness. Love and Freedom versus
Fear and Blind Obedience.

But, it is only my way of see that incredible masterpiece, and could be
accepted or not, like any other.

Once more I thank you, am wishing to show my deep admiration for your clear
reading of "Voices".  I'm sure that at less that my comments above will not
be possible if my mind had not received the light of your analysis
previously.

With sincere admiration,

José Roberto de Marco
São Paulo - SP - Brazil

Just more a little comment: I love the strophes 56/57/58:

56  'Cause these voices in my head
57  keep saying...
58  "Love, just don't stare."

It seems to me like a confirmation that the protagonist is not a mad man, but a
thinker, remembering "Voices" from the past, from other people that cross
your path. Moreover, the melody at this point create a link between his
consistent (or not?) inquires and the "Voices". And it is done using the
Number One Strophe:
"Love, just don't stare.".
There we are the primeval cause of all theme, and besides, an alert about a
dangerous attitude in any religion: be "Stared" and don't see the actual
rules beyond the rituals.