Dunalastair Peñalolén

English Department
Grade 11
https://docs.google.com/file/d/1h8TTFTjenC5xbJ9xo_P_VCkeqL2tPEII/edit?
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Names: Felipin, Florence, Queen Yai Qi, Ichita, Carlita Andrea y Pablito :p
“The Wall” - Brick 1 Analysis
Read the lyrics of the songs from the screenplay and answer the following questions.
1. “The Thin Ice”
a. Why is the expression “baby blue” used in this song? What meaning does blue
have? In the context of "The Thin Ice," the expression "baby blue" is used to
evoke a sense of innocence, vulnerability, and naivety. The color blue is often
associated with these qualities and can carry symbolic meaning in various
contexts. This can be interpreted as innocence, comfort or serenity, and illusion.
The use of "baby blue" in the song serves to create a contrast between the initial
feelings of safety and innocence and the eventual challenges and hardships that
the protagonist will face as they navigate the "thin ice" of modern life.
b. Could this song be considered as a flashback? Why or Why not? The song
serves as an introductory piece that sets the stage for the story. It takes the
listener back to the protagonist's childhood and the initial stages of their life. By
reflecting on the past, it creates a sense of nostalgia and establishes the
foundation of the narrative.
2. “Another Brick in The Wall” (Part 1)
a. What is the main purpose of this song?
It acts as a starting point to the main ideas of the plot. Pink, the main protagonist, is
portrayed as a little child who is creating emotional barriers to shield himself from his
surroundings. His early experiences and the causes which lead to his emotional isolation
are depicted in the song.
Pink's traumatic background is reflected in the lyrics, which are characterized by the lack
of his parental figures. In the lines: “Daddy, what else did you leave for me? Daddy,
what'd ya leave behind for me? All in all it was just a brick in the wall.” we can see Pink's
Dunalastair Peñalolén
English Department
Grade 11
longing for his absent father and the psychological separation generated by his
absence are represented in the song.
The lyrics of the song, as well as the cinematography in the film, express a sense of
frustration, losing one's innocence, and growing loneliness. It foreshadows themes such
as isolation, depression, and the metaphorical "wall" Pink constructs around himself as a
defensive mechanism.
b. What can be said about the relationship between Pink and his father?
Pink's relationship with his father is shown as complex and removed due to the
death of his father. This contributes to his mental health issues and the building
of his metaphorical wall. The song demonstrates Pink's yearning for a closer
connection with a father figure and a sense of assistance or encouragement that
he believes absent in his life. It marks a gap in his existence, leaving him open to
the instability that finally leads to the creation of his psychological wall.
c. Why do you think this is the first brick on The Wall?
It is the first brick in the wall because it is the first moment of impact in Pink's
life. The first trauma he experiences is losing his father to the war which makes
him lack a parental figure. The scene in the park accompanied by the song helps
us realize this lack of his father affects him not only in the day-to-day but also
psychologically, he longs for the love and guidance only a father can provide.
Given the lack of his father in his life, he needs to start e building these
psychological walls to protect himself from the outside world.
3. “When the Tigers Broke Free” (Part 2)
a. Why is King George mentioned in this song?
The song makes reference to Roger Waters' father, (Eric Fletcher Waters) who
died during the Second World War. King George is mentioned, making reference
to his role in the war, this song is based on Waters' emotions and personal
experiences, so it does not follow a set story.
King George is mentioned in this song, as it refers to King George six of the
United Kingdom, Roger Waters decides to use the figure of the king to symbolize
authority and leadership in wartime, also the relationship to George VI, can be
Dunalastair Peñalolén
English Department
Grade 11
interpreted as a way to give context to the loss of Roger Waters, and at the same
time emphasize the circumstances in which his father along with many other
soldiers, lost their lives in the war.
b. How is irony presented in this song? Provide examples.
The song itself is not characterized as a song with irony, since it is narrated in a
very direct way, it narrates the feelings of loss and pain without the use of irony.
But it should be noted that the interpretation of the song is rather subjective,
and each person may perceive it differently. By this we mean that there are
indeed people who may perceive ironic elements in the song, for example the
historical context of the war or the events described in the song, may be
perceived as ironic by some people.

c. Why is there a Teutonic eagle? What does it represent?

The presence of a Teutonic eagle in the song "When the Tigers Broke Free" is a
symbolic reference to the German military during World War II. The Teutonic
eagle is a historical emblem associated with Germany and its military tradition. It
represents the opposing forces that his father, Eric Fletcher Waters, encountered
on the battlefield.

d. What does the bloody cross represent? and why is the blood spilt to the
gutters?
The song refers to a bloody cross and the blood that spills into the gutter, as
these are used as poetic images to convey the violence and brutality of war, as
well as the suffering and losses. The bloody cross can be interpreted as a
Christian symbol, representative of sacrifice and suffering, mentioning the
thousands of deaths of soldiers on the battlefields and in war in general. On the
other hand, the image of blood spilled to the gutters, highlights the progression
and ferocity of violence during the conflict, showing that the whole society is
Dunalastair Peñalolén
English Department
Grade 11
affected due to the bloodshed, leaving a trail of destruction. Again, we
emphasize that the interpretation of the song is subjective and depends and
varies a lot from the perspective of each listener, so this is the way we interpret
this, but this varies depending on each person.

4. “Good Bye Blue Sky”

a. How is the London Blitz referred to in this song? Provide examples.
The lyrics of this song evokes the experience of the London Blitz, the bombing of London during
World War II, more specifically the air attacks known as the Blitz, and it was an intensive
bombing campaign generated and planned by Nazi Germany on British cities, in which London
was one of these cities and main target. Also, reading the scene, the dove represents what is
the British United Kingdom, specifically London, while the Teutonic eagle with which it collides
represents what is Germany itself, the aggression and destruction of this Nazi Germany. Also, it
is mentioned that the eagle is leaving in its path the Lord of War, suggesting the emergence and
control by the German military power, or rather, the representation of the military power in the
war. Likewise, the dog-faced humanoids with ancient masks that are hiding in search of refuge
symbolize all the terrified people and citizens seeking protection from the air strikes called Blitz.
Also, it is mentioned that the British flag begins to bleed, symbolizing the lives lost by spilling
this blood in a destroyed city full of skeletons representing how London was left after these
attacks, where the dove reappears again, representing that the United Kingdom, more
specifically London, emerged again after this.

Focusing on the lyrics, the theme of fear, suffering and loss during these air raids is highlighted.
The previously mentioned can be evidenced in lines such as "Did you see the frightened ones?
Did you hear the falling bombs?" where the reference to the Blitz is evident and reinforces all
the fear it caused. Also, he wonders why they had to run for refuge when a brave new world
was expected, which alludes to all the citizens who had to escape from London looking for
peace and hoping for it. Finally, it talks about how this attack will never be overcome,
exemplified in "The flames are all long gone but the pain lingers on. The flames are all long gone
Dunalastair Peñalolén
English Department
Grade 11
but the pain ringers on.", because although since that day London prospered, rebuilt
and the Blitz and war attacks prospered, it will never be forgotten because the wounds and pain
of all the people who died will endure for a whole lifetime, saying goodbye to that blue sky that
was seen before the war, which, although visible now, will no longer be the same, just as
London is no longer the same as it was before.

b. What does the phrase “Good-bye blue sky” mean?

Also, the name of the song alludes to the blue sky of London, which was destroyed during the
Blitz bombings. Besides, now that London has bloomed and rebuilt itself, the sky is visible again,
however, it does not refer to the literal sense, it refers to the fact that although London is now
a renewed city, it will never be the same as it was before, due to all the people who died
because of the attacks, leaving a void that will last forever in the hearts of the people of London
and will not let the blue sky be seen in the same way again, always being overshadowed by the
memory of the dark smoke left by the Blitz bombings.

20. ANIMATION
A dove explodes into an ominous Teutonic eagle. The eagle first menaces the land and then lays it
waste, leaving in its wake a towering War Lord. Dog-like humanoids, their faces like gas masks, run
for shelter. A British flag transforms into a bloody cross which spills its blood to the gutters. From the
wastes of a destroyed city, and among skeletons, the white dove returns.

Good Bye Blue Sky

Did you see the frightened ones?
Did you hear the falling bombs?
Did you ever wonder why we had to run for shelter
When the promise of a brave new world unfurled beneath the clear blue
sky?
Did you see the frightened ones?
Did you hear the falling bombs?
The flames are all long gone but the pain lingers on.
Good-bye

Blue sky
Good-bye, blue sky
Good-bye
Good-bye
Dunalastair Peñalolén
English Department
Grade 11