Ē𝚗ā; 𝙰𝚝𝚟𝚊𝚛𝚊

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TW: abuse

The song ‘Ēnā’ (‘In the Shadow’) by Atvara expresses the reality of people who live in abusive households, either as parent or child, conveying a wider message of the need to raise awareness for these people, as their situations are extremely dangerous, even life-threatening in some cases, and can cause serious harm and trauma.

The first line talks about ‘warmth’ being given to ‘cold people’ [1] , the noun ‘warmth’ being used as a metaphor for love, and juxtaposing with the phrase ‘cold people’, which is being used as a metaphor for a dead person, as a corpse goes cold due to the blood no longer circulating. This interpretation implies that we give much love and compassion to those who have left us, maybe even more than we gave them when they were alive. However, the phrase ‘cold people’ could also be used as a metaphor for someone who doesn’t care, as someone who doesn’t care is called ‘cold’. This interpretation implies that we give much love and compassion to those who don’t care, maybe in an attempt to make them care. This behaviour can be seen quite prominently in abusive relationships, usually when the abusee has Stockholm Syndrome, and tries to make their abuser love them back.  When an abusive relationship reaches this stage, it often crosses the threshold of potentially fatal for the abusee, so the phrase ‘cold people’ could also be referencing them in the near future if help isn’t given. 

Later in the first verse,  Atvara says that ‘a single drop turns you into shades of black and white’ [2], which could be talking about either the abuser or the abusee. Focusing on the abuser first, ‘a single drop’ could be referencing some form of physical abuse, for example a hit, therefore causing ‘turns you into shades of black and white’ to mean who you truly are, as black and white are seen as the truest colours, with every other colour having the ability to be reduced to a spectrum of black and white. However, focusing on the abusee, ‘turns you into black and white’ could mean that they turn into nothing, and are seen as meaningless, as black and white aren’t used much in the media, as they are seen as too bold to be able to blend cohesively with other colours. ‘Black and white’ could also be in reference to shadows, therefore saying that the abusee is nothing without something else more powerful, like shadows are nothing without a source of light. This is one way that abusers keep hostages for so long and how those abusees’ can become so psychologically damaged, as by telling someone they are worthless multiple times, they become dependent. This becomes extremely dangerous for the abusee, as they can become so dependent that they will let their abuser do just about anything to them, which could lead to death or serious injuries.

During the chorus of the song, Atvara tells you that you grow ‘more silent’ [3] and that you remain ‘in the shadow’ [4] which could mean that you become forgotten or ignored, as to grow ‘more silent’ you talk less, probably because you don’t have a reason to talk, because you don’t get talked to, either because you’re ignored or forgotten. To remain ‘in the shadow’ is to not be in the light with most other people, and to stay in this state for a long time would result in most people forgetting you. This happens a lot in abusive relationships, as the abusee can become paranoid about their friends and family, especially if they’ve tried to advise or warn the abusee about their abuser, as the abuser usually tells the abusee that their friends and family are untrustworthy and they shouldn’t believe them. This then can lead to the abusee cutting off their family and friends for a multitude of reasons, the most common being because they trust the abuser more than their friends or family, they have become reliant or dependent on their abuser, or because they are afraid the abuse might extend to their friends and family and they want to protect them. 

The first line of the second verse silences us, telling us to not ‘speak about it’ [5], putting us in the footsteps of victims of abuse who cannot ask for help, because they are at more of a risk if they do, or because they think no one will believe them. The second line of this verse tells us that ‘tonight dad won’t be coming home’ [6], with the adverb ‘tonight’ suggesting that even though ‘dad won’t be coming home’ they are still hopeful that they won’t be abandoned tomorrow. This behaviour is often shown in victims of abuse, with them hoping that the abuse will stop tomorrow, or that the abuse was just a one-time thing. The third line of this verse predicts that ‘tomorrow’ the abuser will ‘clink glasses with a smile’ [7] suggesting that they will act as if nothing out-of-the-ordinary has happened, putting up a façade that sometimes even tricks the abusee into thinking it was all in their head. This is another way an abuser keeps their hostage, through gaslighting them and manipulating them into thinking that they are being overdramatic. This becomes extremely dangerous for the abusee, and can even lead to death, as they could let the abuse carry on, as they believe it’s just a made-up thought. 

At the end of the song, Atvara repeats the line ‘slowly, slowly, you remain in the shadow’ [4] showing the tiring cycle that abuse can take, and the physical and psychological pain that comes with that cycle.

If you or someone you know is suffering from abuse, don’t be afraid to get help.

[1] Tik daudz silta aukstiem ļaudīm dots : So much warmth is given to cold people

[2] Bet viens piliens pārvērš tevi toņos melnbaltos : But a single drop turns you into shades of black and white

[3] Un tā lēnām, lēnām kļūsti mēmāks : And slowly, slowly, you grow more silent

[4] Lēni lēnām, lēnām paliec ēnā : Slowly, slowly, you remain in the shadow

[5] Meitiņ klusē, veļu necilā : Young lady, be quiet, don't speak out about it

[6] Šodien tētis mājās nepārnāks : Tonight, dad won't be coming home

[7] Rīt ar smaidu glāzes skandinās : Tomorrow he'll clink glasses with a smile

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