Imagine
Dragons' song "Radioactive" was nominated for Best rock video at the
2013 MTV video music awards. Imagine Dragons creates a video that displays the
power a government has until one or a group of people rebel against the
standards of society.
The
video portrays an arena where stuffed animals fight each other in a battle. The
reigning champion has never lost and the champion easily beats the other
animals who are then sent to an underground dungeon. After a woman introduces
the next challenger as a pink teddy bear, the champion and the bear fight it
out. To everyone's surprise, the pink teddy bear beats the champion and a new
champion is crowned. After the leader of the arena is dethroned, the mysterious
woman goes to the underground dungeon and frees the prisoners.
This
video portrays a common revolution that is instigated by the people who feel
that their government has too much power. The people and challengers who are in
the dungeon depict the failed attempts at overthrowing the government. The pink
teddy bear's success in the arena marks the beginning of the revolution between
the people and the government. The video ends with the stuffed animals swarming
the ring leader.
The
lyrics for "Radioactive" also promote the issue of a government
having too much authority over the people. After the teddy bear's victory, the
lyric "Welcome to the new age, to the new age" is heard. The
placement of the lyric in the video supports the theory of the people who want
to be freed and move on to a "new age". Imagine Dragons sing "I
raise my flags, don my clothes/It's a revolution, I suppose" to show that
the people do not support the government. Their flag represents a flag of
liberty and independence. Donning clothes is their preparation for the
revolution that is to come.
Like
Oceane, I agree that the song relates to the story about David and Goliath. No
one expected the new comer to beat out the reigning champion but the new comer
won the battle. This shows that anyone has what it takes to overthrow what
oppresses them.
Matt, you write this post well. You clearly state a purpose, and you link that purpose with effective evidence from the video and the song's lyrics. This is well done. You also avoid many of the mistakes your classmates make.
ReplyDeleteMy only comment, or question, deals with your emphasis on "the government." I give you credit for using the lyric that cites "revolution." This definitely makes your case much stronger than I originally thought it was. Good job. I do wonder, though, if the "revolution" that the band references is less of a governmental take-over and more of a generic revolution that seeks to overthrow some source of power? I would be careful not to read too much into the word "revolution." After all, the band presents it as a revolution, "I suppose."