The Beginning Of The End
Valerie Broussard
The Downward Spiral: A Reflection on Choices and Consequences
Valerie Broussard's song "The Beginning Of The End" delves into the themes of reckless decisions and their inevitable consequences. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of misguided actions, starting with the metaphor of looking at a man as a savior, which suggests misplaced trust or idolization. This 'reckless behavior' sets the stage for a series of poor choices, leading to a metaphorical blindness where everything appears darker when one closes their eyes, symbolizing ignorance or denial of reality.
The recurring question, "What were we thinking?" reflects a sense of regret and introspection. It suggests a realization of the mistakes made at the start of a journey that was doomed from the beginning. The phrase "The beginning of the end" is repeated, emphasizing the inevitability of the downfall that follows poor decisions. This repetition underscores the cyclical nature of such mistakes, where the end is already embedded in the beginning due to the choices made.
The imagery of 'the rise and the fall' and 'descending into madness' further illustrates the trajectory from initial hope or ambition to eventual chaos and destruction. The 'writings on the wall' is a classic metaphor for inevitable doom, indicating that the signs of failure were always present but ignored. The act of 'starting a fire' to 'watch the world burn' speaks to a deeper, perhaps nihilistic desire to see destruction, highlighting a darker aspect of human nature that finds satisfaction in chaos.
Overall, the song is a powerful reflection on the consequences of our actions and the often-overlooked signs that predict our downfall. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of mindful decision-making and the dangers of ignoring reality.