Jewish Lives: Sondheim

There is a new book on Sondheim -- considering the writer in the context of his Jewish heritage. Sondheim doesn't often write explicitly about God. But he once acknowledged that his big anthem, "Being Alive," can be seen as a prayer:

Make me confused.
Mock me with praise.
Let me be used.
Vary my days.

I think that's also true of the song "Take Me to the World," which is about fleeing a sense of stultifying comfort.

Let me see the world with clouds--
Take me to the world.
Out where I can push through crowds--
Take me to the world.
A world that smiles--
With streets instead of aisles--
Where I can walk for miles with you.

The speaker craves sensations--walking without boundaries, pushing, seeing clouds and streets. It's interesting to emphasize the word "smiles." The speaker is essentially a mannequin--she rarely has a reason for joy. She imagines something revolutionary outside her store; she will smile, and the entire world will return that favor.

Also, the use of repetition is haunting. "Take me to the world. Take me to the world. Let me see the world." Form matches content. We can detect the sense of urgency through Sondheim's syntactical choices.

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