Son House Analysis
Son House was a preacher who spent time in jail for murder from 1928 to 1929. He was born in the hamlet of Nyon north of Clarksdale Mississippi, and was the second of his three brothers. House was an American blues singer and guitarist well known for his highly emotional style of music. His father, Eddie, was a member of the church and was quite a heavy drinker. Nevertheless, Eddie still encouraged his family’s commitment to the church. The church Son visited in his youth was very strict and observant. They believed in the future, grace and ultimate redemption.
The church and the Blues had an immoral bond. Many preachers were against Blues music, and were opposed to their mockery against the church. The church believed the Blue’s style of
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He heard one of his companions either McCoy or Wilson playing a bottleneck guitar. House had never heard this style of music and was quick to change his attitudes about the blues. He bought a guitar from Frank Hoskins also a musician, and within weeks was playing with Hoskins, McCoy and Wilson. Son playing with McCoy learnt one of his most famous songs, “Preachin’ the Blues”.
In the first stanza, the fact that he wants to become a preacher only to avoid work is a critical element in this piece. What makes it ironic is that preachers are meant to provide hope for people. However, Son is making a joke of the religion and the preaching role. Son abusing the privileges of a religious career shows that he does not care at all about providing hope; he is just trying to escape work.
In stanza three, Son is seeking to make a change; however his commitment and best efforts seem to be lost inside of him. His transition from his bad habits to a better beginning is strengthening the connection between him and God. In stanza four his desire for women and whiskey get the better of him and his uncontrollable anger starts to burst out. This conflict between evil and good make these stanzas stand out and show he wants to draw the devil out of him but just can’t. ‘But the women and whiskey, well, they would not let me
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