American Pie Literary Devices
"In the “autumn of 1971” Don McLean's melancholic American Pie entered the collective consciousness, and over thirty years later remains one of the most discussed, dissected and debated songs that popular music has ever produced (McLean; Morgan, "What Do American Pie's Lyrics Mean?"). A cultural event at the peak of its popularity in “1972, it reached the top of the Billboard 100 charts in a matter of weeks, selling more than 3 million copies;” and at eight and a half minutes long, this was no normal accomplishment (Morgan, "What Do American Pie's Lyrics Mean?"). The song that travels through different times uses literal devices to intensify its meaning it does this by alluding to specific moments in time. As the “1960s end, we find the Don McLean nostalgic for the music of his youth and the simple, joyous spirit it once brought him” (Morgan, "What Do American Pie's …show more content…
"Miss American Pie” is "as American as apple pie," so the saying goes; she could also be a synthesis of this symbol and the beauty queen Miss America (McLean; Morgan, "What Do American Pie's Lyrics Mean?"). "Drove my Chevy to the levee" alludes to a drive "along a levee" mentioned in a series of popular “1950s Chevrolet television commercials sung by Dinah Shore” (McLean; Morgan, "What Do American Pie's Lyrics Mean?"). Just as the Chevrolet it is a familiar icon of 1950s America. In addition, given that a “drive to a levee carries the suggestion of romance” in a car (Moyer, "Gloomy Don McLean Reveals Meaning of ‘American Pie’"). The “levee [is] dry” someone he once loved has betrayed him; something that once gave him sustenance has evaporated (Morgan, "What Do American Pie's Lyrics Mean?"). Don McLean reaches a little further back in time to the days of his youth a time of sock hops, pickup trucks and pink carnations as he wooed a woman who ultimately rejects
Truman Capote Rhetorical Devices
196 Words | 1 PagesTruman Capote incorporates unusual diction into his writing to convey a haunting tone. For example, he uses the words “wet twilight” to enhance his tone. These words are not commonly placed together and when they are, they create an eerie feeling. The way that the author chooses to use to word “staring” creates a spooky mood. It reconstructs the way people feel when they feel like they are being watched.
Kurt Vonnegut Rhetorical Analysis
59 Words | 1 Pagesthe idea of equality was taken to the extreme. Satire is also used to exaggerate how awful equality is to persuade readers to believe that total equality will violate human rights. Kurt Vonnegut also uses symbols such as handicaps which make everyone equal and Harrison Bergeron to display the lack of freedom present in a world of total equality.
Literary Techniques In Fly Away Peter
773 Words | 4 PagesDavid Malouf is the author of the novel of ‘Fly Away Peter’. Fly Away Peter is an Australian novel set before and during the First World War. The first part of the novel is set on the Queensland Gold Coast, and the second part on the Western Front. The way in which he weaves various plot lines throughout his text to highlight the utopia found in the “sanctuary”, as well as the dystopia of the war is an integral element of understanding the power and purpose of ‘Fly Away Peter’. Throughout ‘Fly Away Peter’ Malouf utilises a variety of literary techniques such as contrast, Imagery, Symbolism and foreshadowing to portray ideas and themes.
Don Mclean Pie Character Analysis
434 Words | 2 PagesThroughout his song “American Pie”, Don Mclean uses repetition in order to show the importance of certain items that were revered in past cultures. One phrase that is repeated throughout the song constantly
Tragic Folk Hero: Woody Guthrie
1967 Words | 8 PagesAccording to the late, tragic folk hero, Joe Hill, “A good song could be learned and remembered, while a pamphlet would be read once and thrown away.” (Weissman, 175) Such an idea proves its validity when examining the long-lasting professional and societal success of the depression-era folk protest singer, Woody Guthrie. Throughout his adolescence and his adventures as a box-car musician during the early 1930s, Guthrie faced hardships unparalleled by popular singers of his day. Taken aback by the horrors he witnessed as the dust bowl and the Great Depression tore through the badlands he called home, Guthrie faced emotional turmoil, both in himself, and in the society that surrounded him.
Poetic Analysis Of Lupe Fiasco
1614 Words | 7 PagesCurrently, it is hard to find music with a deeper, more sentimental substance to it. If you’re writing a paper in your English class on poetical analysis, and you may find that a lot of the music our generation currently frequents only scrapes the surface in terms of sentimentality. When Professor Snyder asked us to write on poetic analysis of song lyrics, so many songs came to mind that I almost drew a blank in response. I listen to a wide variety of music, with a combined three music libraries containing over 20,000 songs. The results could have been found anywhere between hip hop, EDM, punk rock, chillwave, or more.
Catcher In The Rye Literary Devices
1179 Words | 5 PagesCreating a story that transcends time takes the work of a skilled and dedicated writer. To be able to throw a global audience into the mind of a complicated character is a feat not easily done. In the novel “Catcher in the Rye”, the author, J.D Salinger, masterfully uses his story telling skills to portray Holden Caulfield’s miserable decent into adulthood in this expertly written novel. It’s not difficult to see the ingredients that Salinger used to concoct this relatable and dramatic story. He uses excellent themes that audiences have seen in their own lives, he uses symbolism that enriches the reading experience with deeper meaning, and he uses a unique writing style that further immerses the reader into the character and setting.
What Does American Pie Mean
836 Words | 4 PagesHave you ever listened to the song “American Pie” by Don McLean? Have you ever really listened to the lyrics and understood their meaning? The song “American Pie” was released in 1971, and was a hit in 1972 for about four weeks in January. In this song, Don McLean used illusions, metaphors, and symbolism to reference the ending of the perfect America.
Bruce Springsteen And The Vietnam War
184 Words | 1 PagesThe Vietnam War is a well-explored topic in music, but the media of the 1980s brought with it a new perspective; the war was over and the new Reagan era worked towards trying to leave Vietnam and the upheaval of the 1960s in the past and the music of the times presented a reaction against this. Artists did not want to simply forget the bloodshed of the Vietnam War, especially as they witnessed American veterans continue to suffer from the lasting effects of the war on a daily basis. At first glance, Bruce Springsteen seems an unlikely figure to create music condemning the effects of the Vietnam War. Many mistake Springsteen’s short hair, heterosexual demeanour, and fondness of the American flag as a celebration of right wing ideals. It is this
Rhetorical Devices In Escape From Camp 14
769 Words | 4 PagesEscape from Camp 14 is the true story of Shin Dong-hyuk, who is the only known person to have been born in and escape from a North Korean labor camp. After numerous interviews, the book’s author, Blaine Harden, details the reader about Shin’s life both inside and outside the camp as he assimilates into different societies. As critical information is revealed, Harden uncovers the corruption in the political landscape in North Korea. Shin’s life in Camp 14 accentuates the struggles to gain basic human freedom and elucidates food as an even more precious commodity. The straightforward diction and intriguing combination of rhetorical devices effectively expresses the brutality and oppression in the North Korean prison camp.
Bruce Springsteen's Song Streets Of Philadelphia
239 Words | 1 PagesStreets of Philadelphia by Bruce Springsteen is a song brimming with different metaphors. This song 's mood is very pensive. The tone of this song is very allegorical. While Streets of Philadelphia at first read could be taken very matter of fact, it is when you spend more time analyzing the lyrics you are better able to see the deeper message. The theme of this song is to be very stoic in the face of the end.
The Great Gatsby Passage Analysis
951 Words | 4 PagesThe use of the words “fresh” and “green” create the image of a bountiful land, a new frontier to be explored. This new world represents a land of opportunity and possibility for the settlers. Fitzgerald uses this positive description to show the basis of the American dream; where it originated and what it once meant. He portrays America as an old island
Annie Murphy Paul Your Brain On Fiction Analysis
331 Words | 2 PagesScience has proven that reading can provoke positive changes in us as human beings. Annie Murphy Paul is the author of the article ‘Your Brain on Fiction’ published on March 17, 2012. Annie explains how researchers have discovered that reading can initiate different parts of the brain, this is the reason why sometimes literature can make the reader so engaged and attached to a piece of writing. Research also explains how reading has the ability to produce activity in our brain’s motor cortex. Finally, Annie explains how reading fictional pieces can change how you interact with other individuals.
Cold War Influence On American Culture
2450 Words | 10 PagesOne of the aspects of culture that was influenced by the Cold War is music. The ideals, situations, and figures were described, and criticized in every musical form. This investigation seeks to find the relationship between the creation of the Rock and Roll music genre and the social issues of the Cold War. The main body of evidence will investigate the events that lead up to the desperation of society and why this music genre was born as one of the factors for its creation. Evidence will include both, primary, and secondary sources including investigation about the Cold War, the origins of the musical genre.
Things Fall Apart Literary Analysis
815 Words | 4 PagesOkonkwo’s struggles and how the clans of his tribe were separated by the white colonization of his village represent a powerful proverb throughout the novel. The meaningful proverb in Things Fall Apart exists as “If a frog is jumping in the daylight, you know something is after its life.” Since frogs are nocturnal animals, they dislike the daylight and prefer to jump in the night. In contrast the threatened frog pushes itself to jump in the hot unpreferred daylight. The proverb “if you see a toad jumping in the daylight, you know something is after its life” is manifested by the conflict between the settlers colonizing Okonkwo’s village and Okonkwo’s resistance towards the colonization.
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