Songs of a Dissident is an imaginative exploration of the human condition as much as a political protest. Outlar is convinced of human evil, arrogance, and willed self-harm, but he also reminds us we have a choice in our lives. He eliminates all cause for idleness and dissipation. At heart, though, he is confused and questions why we could be blind to our own evil. He finds he isn’t the only one asking this question.