TOTAL INFORMATION ANALYSIS

Monday, December 22, 2003

The original title concept behind The BEATLES (White Album) was "A Doll's House." "A Doll's House" was a play by 19th-century Dutch author Henrik Ibsen. The play was about an elaborate deception, including forgery, engaged in by a woman in order to save her husband's life.

(Right - The original cover drawing for 'A Doll's House' album)

Excerpts of some relevant dialogue:

Nora: It was I who saved Torvald's life.

Mrs. Linde: "Saved"? How?

[...]

Nora: . . . a wife who has the wit to be a little bit clever--

[...]

Mrs. Linde: Listen to me, Nora dear. Haven't you been a little bit imprudent?

Nora (sits up straight): Is it imprudent to save your husband's life?

Mrs. Linde: It seems to me imprudent, without his knowledge, to--

Nora: But it was absolutely necessary that he should not know! My goodness, can't you understand that? It was necessary he should have no idea what a dangerous condition he was in. It was to me that the doctors came and said that his life was in danger, and that the only thing to save him . . . Very well, I thought, you must be saved--and that was how I came to devise a way out of the difficulty--

[...]

Mrs. Linde: And since then have you never told your secret to your husband?

Nora: Good Heavens, no! How could you think so? A man who has such strong opinions about these things! And besides, how painful and humiliating it would be for Torvald, with his manly independence, to know . . .

Mrs. Linde: Do you mean never to tell him about it?

Nora (meditatively, and with a half smile): Yes--someday, perhaps, after many years, when I am no longer as nice-looking as I am now. Don't laugh at me! I mean, of course, when Torvald is no longer as devoted to me as he is now; when my dancing and dressing-up and reciting have palled on him; then it may be a good thing . . .

[...]

TOTAL INFORMATION ANALYSIS: Now, consider this information in light of the evidence that James Paul McCartney was replaced in the fall of 1966 by a lookalike (the faux Paul, or FAUL). Just as Nora deceived Torvald to save his life; John, George, Ringo, FAUL et al. deceived the Beatlemania-afflicted fangirls in order to save their lives (i.e., to keep them from committing suicide).

The play is set over a few years later and takes place over a few days , as the whole deception is falling apart. Intrigue is piling on intrigue, spinning out of control . . . Think how much a metaphor this is to the BEATLES at the time. Tara Browne had been killed to keep the cover-up going . . . who else?

My guess is Lennon and Harrison corroborated on this concept, in India and perhaps beforehand.

And the play ended with the deception being revealed and the marriage ending. Is that how far John and George intended to take it? To reveal the deception and dissolve the band?

If so, it would seem they were overruled, ultimately leaving the public with a 'white' album, seemingly about nothing in particular.

But in examining some of the songs that did make it on to the final version of The BEATLES (White Album), while realizing the album was in the early stages Doll's-House-as-metaphor-for-Faul concept album puts two songs, 'Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da' and 'Savoy Truffle,' in a new light.

FAUL was the analog for the Nora character, the perpetrator of the deception, when he was singing 'Ob-la-di Ob-la-da.' Read the play and you'll see how Nora dances around and sings, living in denial and singing like everything is fine as the deceit closes in on them all:

Nora: Sit down and play for me, Torvald dear; criticise me, and correct me as you play.

Helmer: With great pleasure, if you wish me to. (Sits down at the piano.)

Nora (takes out of the box a tambourine and a long variegated shawl. She hastily drapes the shawl round her. Then she springs to the front of the stage and calls out): Now play for me! I am going to dance!

(HELMER plays and NORA dances. RANK stands by the piano behind HELMER, and looks on.)

Helmer (as he plays): Slower, slower!

Nora: I can't do it any other way.

Helmer: Not so violently, Nora!

[...]

Helmer. My dear darling Nora, you are dancing as if your life depended on it.

Nora. So it does.

. . . la-la-la . . . nothing is wrong, people still fall in love . . . la-la-la, ob-la-di, la-la-la, life goes on, you know. Must keep dancing!

Another thing that Nora does is in "A Doll's House" stuff herself with macaroons! 'Savoy Truffle' is a direct answer to 'Ob-la-di.' ("We all know Ob-la-di bla-da / But can you show me where you are?"):

• Nora is being told not to stuff herself as
  
• Faul is being told not to gorge himself on fame.
  

  Labels: beatles

| Posted at 04:37 | PERMA-LINK |

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