Okay, I am bringing this thread back to life because there is one very fascinating concept that not many are discussing about The Astonishing, which happens to be the one I enjoy the most about this album.
In this album, each main character faces what could be called "The Path That Divides". It's pretty interesting that every character is present at the time when Gabriel sings his song, which is when "The Path That Divides" concept is introduced in the chorus. From this moment on, they all start to walk that path towards having to make a choice that can either have a good or bad outcome. (Actually, the more I think about it, I think the concept develops in The Answer, with Gabriels' reason for choices is being considered the "chosen" one. He is facing his own path of division within himself, struggling to understand why he has this gift of music and why people are drawn to it's "healing" capabilities.)
It stars off with Gabriel making a connection with Faythe and seeing something within her that is attractive to him. This connection is felt by Faythe, as she feels something that she had only felt from her secret music player, nobody at all even knows she has this, not even Lord Nefaryus, Daryus, and Arabelle. She has to secretly go somewhere safe to connect with this feeling through the music player. That is until Gabriel begins playing his music and she hears his song. What spoke to Faythe and began her "Path of Division" was the chorus, "Find your strength in the sound of my voice, and you'll know which choice is right."
This moment also began Lord Nefaryus' path as he noticed this and this caused him to feel a sort of threat against his own daughter. So he gave The Ravenskill Militia a warning. During A New Beginning, this is when he is faced with the path, as it is revealed he was also moved by Gabriels' song and words. This is explained in the description from the website; "Not able to contest the wisdom of neither his wife nor his daughter, Nafaryus concedes, knowing that if he persists, he risks losing the princess forever and so agrees to the meeting. If Gabriel truly is ‘The Chosen One’ and can sway him as his beloved daughter says he can, then he will cease all plans of attack on Ravenskill and award him his freedom. If not, then he will accept Gabriel’s surrender as promised, at which point it will be sure that she will never see him again."
Daryus' path is him choosing to make a threat to the Ravenskill militia leader, to gain his father's recognition and prove he can be the heir to the throne. He is one of the only characters that does make an instant decision on which side of the dividing path he wants to walk. His choice begins the path for Aryhs' which is choosing between his brother or his promise to his beloved wife.
The Road To Revolution is integral as it mentions what they are all striving for in their dividing path. If this were a movie, it would be the moment in the film where it shows each character in separate scene locations and what they are planning to do. Sort of like in a Disney movie where the villain or character sings about their dividing path, such as when Ariel sings "Part of Your World", or how the entire scene is done in Pocahontas when the song "Savages" is sung by both parties. (If you ask me, this album is more in lines with Pocahontas in concept)
(I'll continue in another post since this one is already getting a bit long)
Topic: The Astonishing (Story and Concept analysis) (Read 25850 times)
