Author: Aaron Jennings

NOTE: This is a very personal analysis, and its take on The Mirror is not the same as what is generally considered to be the 'actual' meaning of the song. However, due to the band's opinion that a song's meaning is whatever each person deems it to be, we have decided to add it to the FAQ to provide a different point of view.

--------------------

For the past 7 months, I've been in a relationship that I thought had been mostly perfect. She was always there for me, and we were happy. Ever since I moved out of home and went to live on my own, things started to get progressively worse. I had real problems, like having trouble keeping a job and paying the bills.

Temptation -
Why won't you leave me alone?
Lurking every corner
Everywhere I go

Self Control -
Don't turn your back on me now
When I need you most

Constant pressure tests my will
My will or my won't
My self-control
Escapes from me, still...

Hypocrite -
How could you be so cruel
and expect my faith in return?

Resistance -
It's not as hard as it seems
When you close the door

Those seem to characterize problems that plague a person under heavy stress... problems that can lead to more problems with other people in a person's life, especially ones that mean a lot to them. With all the problems and stress, one might subconsciously take out his problems on another. And for some reason, they could feel paranoid, and believe that the other person is trying to make your life miserable. I thought that my girlfriend/fianceé was trying to hurt me, little barbs and pricks to make me suffer...

I spent so long trusting in you
I trust you forgot
Just when I thought I believed in you...

You start to think that the problems in your life are caused by this other person... a subconscious hate starts to form, only made worse by the love that is there.

It's time for me to deal
Becoming all too real
Living in fear -

Why did you lie and pretend?
This has come to an end
I'll never trust you again

It's time you made your amends
Look in the mirror my friend

Finally lashing out in anger... accusing, refusing... trying to figure out what's wrong but never accepting the problem as your own.

Let's stare the problem right in the eye
It's plagued me from coast to coast
Racing the clock to please everyone
All but the one who matters the most

At this stage, the person is seeking vindictive resolution. However, having been driven to that point, when the words slip from his mouth, he begins to realize what has been going on this entire time.

Reflections of reality
are slowly coming into view
How in the hell could you possibly forgive me?
After all the hell I put you through?

Understanding all the pain he's inflicted, he shatters a 'mirror'... into hundreds of pieces, finally coming to grips that not only was the other person not that cause of his pain, but he was the cause of much worse pain. He may have also done other horrible things during the time, feeling justified.

It's time for me to deal
Becoming all too real
Living in fear -

Why'd I betray my friend?
Lying until the end
Living life so pretend

It's time to make my amends
I'll never hurt you again

Now he tries his damnedest to get forgiveness, desperately pleading with nothing held back, his terribleness open in full view. Whether the person gets forgiven is not determined by the song.

I wasn't. Tonight, I was shattered into pieces when my partner of 7 months left me. Filled with anger, I tried to figure out what happened. It suddenly hit me that it was not her fault, but it entirely mine. I realized my problems, promised amends, and pleaded for forgiveness... but was denied. I had been so cruel and heartless, it should be a crime. While I never laid a single hand on her, my words had been sharper than razors. I'm a horrible person, and here I've got Dream Theater to rub it in, with The Mirror...

I destroyed what was possibly the greatest love in existance... and I am not forgiven. I never realized this song's meaning until it finally hit home...

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From [url=http://www.faq.dtnorway.com/question/127]faq.dtnorway.com[/url]: [quote][b][i]The Mirror (2)[/i][/b] Author: Aaron Jennings NOTE: This is a very personal analysis, and its take on The Mirror is not the same as what is generally considered to be the 'actual' meaning of the song. However, due to the band's opinion that a song's meaning is whatever each person deems it to be, we have decided to add it to the FAQ to provide a different point of view. -------------------- For the past 7 months, I've been in a relationship that I thought had been mostly perfect. She was always there for me, and we were happy. Ever since I moved out of home and went to live on my own, things started to get progressively worse. I had real problems, like having trouble keeping a job and paying the bills. Temptation - Why won't you leave me alone? Lurking every corner Everywhere I go Self Control - Don't turn your back on me now When I need you most Constant pressure tests my will My will or my won't My self-control Escapes from me, still... Hypocrite - How could you be so cruel and expect my faith in return? Resistance - It's not as hard as it seems When you close the door Those seem to characterize problems that plague a person under heavy stress... problems that can lead to more problems with other people in a person's life, especially ones that mean a lot to them. With all the problems and stress, one might subconsciously take out his problems on another. And for some reason, they could feel paranoid, and believe that the other person is trying to make your life miserable. I thought that my girlfriend/fianceé was trying to hurt me, little barbs and pricks to make me suffer... I spent so long trusting in you I trust you forgot Just when I thought I believed in you... You start to think that the problems in your life are caused by this other person... a subconscious hate starts to form, only made worse by the love that is there. It's time for me to deal Becoming all too real Living in fear - Why did you lie and pretend? This has come to an end I'll never trust you again It's time you made your amends Look in the mirror my friend Finally lashing out in anger... accusing, refusing... trying to figure out what's wrong but never accepting the problem as your own. Let's stare the problem right in the eye It's plagued me from coast to coast Racing the clock to please everyone All but the one who matters the most At this stage, the person is seeking vindictive resolution. However, having been driven to that point, when the words slip from his mouth, he begins to realize what has been going on this entire time. Reflections of reality are slowly coming into view How in the hell could you possibly forgive me? After all the hell I put you through? Understanding all the pain he's inflicted, he shatters a 'mirror'... into hundreds of pieces, finally coming to grips that not only was the other person not that cause of his pain, but he was the cause of much worse pain. He may have also done other horrible things during the time, feeling justified. It's time for me to deal Becoming all too real Living in fear - Why'd I betray my friend? Lying until the end Living life so pretend It's time to make my amends I'll never hurt you again Now he tries his damnedest to get forgiveness, desperately pleading with nothing held back, his terribleness open in full view. Whether the person gets forgiven is not determined by the song. I wasn't. Tonight, I was shattered into pieces when my partner of 7 months left me. Filled with anger, I tried to figure out what happened. It suddenly hit me that it was not her fault, but it entirely mine. I realized my problems, promised amends, and pleaded for forgiveness... but was denied. I had been so cruel and heartless, it should be a crime. While I never laid a single hand on her, my words had been sharper than razors. I'm a horrible person, and here I've got Dream Theater to rub it in, with The Mirror... I destroyed what was possibly the greatest love in existance... and I am not forgiven. I never realized this song's meaning until it finally hit home...[/quote]