Tom Sawyer

The song "Tom Sawyer" by RUSH is a personal favorite of mine. My dad first introduced me to RUSH probably since the day I was born. Their songs are tricky to figure out but this one in particular I got the meaning of. It took a few times listening to it, rewinding and writing down the lyrics, but eventually I came to the conclusion, conformity. Tom Sawyer is a legendary character in a very influential piece of literature, and in the song by RUSH they build on this character of his, and relate it to the world. Society doesn't accept "Tom Sawyers", and even though he knows he is an outcast, he doesn't allow people to influence his thoughts and corrupt his mind. His mind is not for rent, he wont allow others to change what he believes, but he isnt cocky and doesn't think he is better than everyone else. It says in the song "though his mind is not for rent to any god or government" he doesn't let the politics in the world, or politicians, or any religion and religious leaders change the way he thinks about issues like politics and religion. He sticks to his beliefs. The way he stands up for himself is by being quiet and not defending himself with words. The one line in the song goes "What you say about his company is what you say about society." Society doesn't allow for him, they dont appreciate him and his thoughts. Turning him away makes you conformed to the rest of society, shunning him is waht everyone is doing so you are the same. But if you befriend him, wont society shun you? You will be considered an outcast for showing him kindness, and in turn you will become the Tom Sawyer. This song is a portrait of a modern day rebel. Tom Sawyer is a free-spirited individualist living his life as he wants, going through the world wide-eyed and purposeful. It shows the difference between what people are and what others perceive them to be.