Scenes From A Memory and Trans Euphoria

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Hey everyone, in light of all the nuggets of the new album seeming to point to Metropolis 3, I thought it might be fun to examine everyone's favorite Dream Theater album in perhaps a different light.

I've been listening to the album again recently, and something really struck me that I hadn't fully processed before—there's an interesting connection between the themes in the album and the concepts of trans euphoria and trans rights.

For anyone unfamiliar, trans euphoria is the feeling of joy or happiness a trans person experiences when they are able to live as their authentic self. It's like the opposite of dysphoria, and it's an important part of many people's experiences. With that in mind, I started thinking about how the story in Scenes From A Memory features Nicholas, a man in the present, uncovering the life of Victoria, a woman from his past. In a way, Nicholas embodies both male and female characters throughout the album, experiencing emotions and memories that blur the lines between the two.

Nicholas experiences a connection with Victoria's life so deeply that it's almost like he's living through her. There are moments where the lines between Nicholas and Victoria aren't just blurred—they almost become one person, particularly in songs like "Home" and "Through Her Eyes." Nicholas is essentially channeling Victoria's existence, her feelings, and her memories, which to me feels like a kind of metaphor for gender fluidity or even the idea of discovering one's true self across gender boundaries.

For some trans folks, transitioning is like uncovering the person they were always meant to be, kind of like how Nicholas uncovers Victoria's story and ultimately finds closure. This parallel really stands out when you think of the concept of reincarnation in the story—Nicholas and Victoria could be viewed as different expressions of the same soul, just like gender identity is a fluid concept for many people, with the same person living authentically as their true self regardless of how society has traditionally assigned their gender.

And then there's the whole idea of reclaiming agency. For Victoria, reclaiming her story and being remembered feels empowering, and for Nicholas, it's about confronting parts of himself that have been hidden or misunderstood. Similarly, trans people face a journey of reclaiming their identity, asserting their rights, and living authentically in a world that hasn't always been accepting. The emotional catharsis at the end of the album—when Nicholas finds peace and closure—can be seen as a metaphor for the euphoria that comes from living as one's true self.

So, while Metropolis Pt. 2 wasn't written with trans themes in mind, the way it explores identity, transformation, and discovering the truth of who you are really resonates with the themes of trans euphoria and trans rights. It's a powerful story of self-discovery that, to me, speaks to the journey that many trans people go through.

I'd love to hear what you all think! Does anyone else see this connection, or have other thoughts about how the album could relate to identity in this way?

[Skeever]

Nice writeup, HoSo. Interesting thoughts and perspective and well articulated!

[brakkum]

I've never explicitly thought about this connection, but it makes sense that it can be viewed in that light. I recall when I first read the story beats of the album back in high school 20 years ago I thought it was "weird" that there was this mixed gender portion of it, like "how could that work". Similarly to how many people felt when trans folks started to become more openly represented in the last decade.

This is what I like about art, everyone is free to apply their own emotions and story to get more out of a piece, even if that likely wasn't the initial intention. Now I have an excuse to try and turn trans people on to DT

[Lonk]

Nice post SoJo, I'll listen to the album with this in mind.

[Setlist Scotty]

I'd love to hear what you all think! Does anyone else see this connection, or have other thoughts about how the album could relate to identity in this way?

Interesting thoughts, but whatever connections people make now are things they are reading into the story such as yourself. Pretty sure that's not what the band intended since trans rights were not a thing 25 years ago.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Interesting thoughts, but whatever connections people make now are things they are reading into the story such as yourself. Pretty sure that's not what the band intended since trans rights were not a thing 25 years ago.

Of course, I mentioned that in my first post as well:

So, while Metropolis Pt. 2 wasn't written with trans themes in mind,

I do think it's cool that the album can have this additional layer/meaning to it decades later though!

[PMSummer]

That's a really unique take! I hadn't considered Scenes from a Memory in that light before, but your point about identity and self-discovery makes a lot of sense. The way Nicholas and Victoria's stories intertwine definitely touches on themes of transformation and reclaiming one's true self, which ties in beautifully with the idea of trans euphoria. I think that emotional catharsis at the end of the album, where Nicholas finds peace, could definitely mirror the journey of someone embracing their true identity. It's amazing how Dream Theater's work can resonate with so many different experiences. Thanks for sharing this perspective!

[TheCountOfNYC]

That's a really interesting take, and it shows the power that art holds. I wonder if anyone else who might have been questioning their gender identity heard these ideas in the story like you did, and if they did, maybe it helped them discover their true self.

[hefdaddy42]

Certainly not the original meaning of the album, even on a subtextual level, but if it works on that level for you (or anyone else) and you can glean more meaning from it that way, then great!  That's what great art should be able to do.

[Max Kuehnau]

I'll tell you, at the time when I was the most active on the DT Discord, there were (still are I'm sure) quite a few trans people there, so it's not unheard of. In my observation, DT have always been a band for those people that are left field (for lack of a better word) anyway (myself included btw, although I'm not trans or gay or any of that)

[twosuitsluke]

Yea, I hadn't thought of it, but it reminds me of a conversation that I had recently with my wife about the Disney movie Mulan.

My son loves Mulan so I've watched it a lot over the last year or so. I was too old for it at the time it came out so I never really appreciated it. For those who don't know the story, Mulan is set in ancient China and one man in each family is conscripted to fight in the war against the Huns. As an only child, Mulan wants to protect her father (who is old and injured from a previous war he'd fought in) so she pretends to be a man, and the son of her father, so she can go to war in his place. 

I'm not suggesting that the character of Mulan is trans, as once the war is over (and it has been discovered Mulan is a woman) she continues to live as a woman as she previously had. The character feels empowered and important as a man, as women are treated as less than, but I think that's the extent of it.

However, the conversation I had with my wife was about "how many trans kids do you think grew up listening to the song Reflection (from the movie) and feeling like they could identify with that feeling of being in the wrong body?". The lyrics to Reflection go...

Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me?
Why is my reflection someone I don't know?

Somehow I cannot hide who I am, though I've tried
When will my reflection show who I am inside?
When will my reflection show who I am inside?

I carried on the question, speculating if anyone involved in the creation of the film/music was trans, and was able to use the movie as a vehicle, to get out some of how they feel, so kids can hear this story and find something to identify with, and relate to how they are feeling.

It hit me, as a parent, that there would be kids who would hear this song, and just think "This. This is how I feel!". I think that having music to relate to how you are feeling, whatever that may be, is huge, and am prehaps comforted that back in the 90s (and earlier) trans people could still share how they were feeling, even if the topic wasn't as openly talked about as it is now. In fact, back then things like this were even more important. Nowadays people can find their tribe, and someone/something to relate to, in many places on the internet. To some 90s kid, this song (or indeed Scenes From a Memory) could've been a single beacon of light to help them grasp on to the fact that other people out there felt like them. That they weren't alone.

I think it's a really interesting topic and concept. Man, I love that my son loves Disney movies (almost 90% for the music) and has given me a greater appreciation of some of the Disney films I missed.

Great thread dude

[Max Kuehnau]

You best go ahead and show him The Astonishing then, I suggest. It's DT's version of a Disney film in a way. He'll love it I'm sure.

[twosuitsluke]

You best go ahead and show him The Astonishing then, I suggest. It's DT's version of a Disney film in a way. He'll love it I'm sure.

I'm sorry, but The Astonishing is not on the same level as even the worst Disney. I'm not gonna subject my son to The Astonishing, good lord, he doesn't deserve that.

[Max Kuehnau]

no issue with that

[Puppies_On_Acid]

I'm sorry, but The Astonishing is not on the same level as even the worst Disney. I'm not gonna subject my son to The Astonishing, good lord, he doesn't deserve that.

[Whitefish]

This is actually a really interesting take. I always thought it was cool how JLB represents both male and female characters with his vocals throughout the album - he manages to make it clear when a different voice is speaking, but with quite a lot of subtlety so it doesn't feel like he is "acting". That encourages the idea that Nick and Victoria are different aspects of the same person, instead of two different people. Although the album as a whole is not subtle (which I don't mean as a criticism), this aspect is, and is really well done.

Anyway, its cool to hear your interpretation. How amazing would it be if SFAM found new popularity among the trans community, and DT suddenly found a new audience as a result. (Probably unlikely, but still...)

[Shadowmangini]

Being trans is absolutely disgusting and is a complete abomination.

[twosuitsluke]

Being trans is absolutely disgusting and is a complete abomination.

I hope this is ban worthy. It should be.

[Sir Walrus Cauliflower]

Being trans is absolutely disgusting and is a complete abomination.

You should watch this:

[Whitefish]

Being trans is absolutely disgusting and is a complete abomination.

Why?

[bosk1]

Being trans is absolutely disgusting and is a complete abomination.

You have every right to be for or against trans rights and issues, and you are welcome to post your opinions here.  But not in such a derogatory and rude manner.  Read the forum rules and abide by them, which includes respecting your fellow forum members, whether you agree with them or not, or you will not be welcome here.

[bosk1]

As far as the original post:  No.  And I am glad.

[twosuitsluke]

You should watch this:

Very interesting. I've read up a bit about this before and I find it fascinating. Don't you just love it when science and facts can challenge someone's bigoted views.

[bosk1]

Very interesting. I've read up a bit about this before and I find it fascinating. Don't you just love it when science and facts can challenge someone's bigoted views.

You need to heed the above post as well.  Calling someone a bigot or any other name calling will get you in just as much trouble.

Since this thread cannot seem to exist without people throwing insults, I think it has run an early course.  This can be further discussed in P/R if people desire, provided it is kept civil.