Tommy

Tommy, the central figure of this rock opera, is symbol of a generation which, in the face of world violence and indifference, retreats into Sphinx-like passivity. As an infant, he witnesses the killing of his mother's lover by his father, and the traumatic shock causes him to become deaf, blind and mute. All efforts to cure him fail. He is tormented by his cousin, molested by an uncle, and eventually retreats into a world of his own where he develops his only remaining sense - touch. Using it, he becomes a champion pinball player. In a vain attempt to get through to him, his mother smashes a mirror and Tommy is miraculously cured. Soon, however, Tommy realizes that he can harness his highly developed sense and he forms his own religion with himself as spiritual leader. His "powers" attract millions of followers as they flock to hear him at mass rallies and holiday camps. But in the long run, the discipline of Tommy's religion proves too harsh; it is discredited and the destruction of the camps takes place. In the aftermath, we are left with a desperate cry for communication and recognition: "See me, Feel me, Touch me, Heal me... "