Robert Frost and Bob Dylan are two American wordsmiths that have enchanted the readers and audiences with their literary prowess. This blog, is a thinking activity assigned by Vaidehi Ma’am, based on these creators. For more information, you can check out the blog by clicking here - Bob Dylan and Robert Frost.
Robert Frost (1874–1963) was an American poet renowned for his depictions of rural life and the human condition. He is celebrated for his mastery of colloquial language and his profound exploration of complex themes such as nature, isolation, and the passage of time. Frost received numerous accolades during his lifetime, including four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. His works, including "The Road Not Taken," "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," and "Mending Wall," continue to resonate with readers worldwide for their timeless insights and lyrical beauty.
Bob Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941, is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and poet who emerged as one of the most influential figures in popular music and culture. His career spans over six decades, during which he has explored various genres such as folk, rock, blues, and country, earning him numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016 for "having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition." Dylan's lyrical prowess, distinctive voice, and socially conscious songwriting have left an indelible mark on generations of musicians and fans worldwide.
1. Which is your favourite Poet/Lyricist? Why?
My favourite lyricist is the American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift. I really admire her songs because of their story-telling quality. She masterfully weaves narratives and emotions into her lyrics and creates relatable situations. She creates music that is understandable to such an extent that people think it was written just for them. Moreover, her songs often include personal experiences making them even more authentic and compelling to her audience. For example, in her song, “All Too Well”, she shows her storytelling progress by painting a detailed picture of a past relationship.
In the song, she begins by setting the scene: “I walk through the door with you, the air was cold, but something about it felt like home somehow”. This line immediately draws the listeners into the story, providing a sense of familiarity and nostalgia. She then delves into specific memories and moments. Throughout the song, she uses vivid metaphor and sensory details to enhance the storytelling experience and creates an unforgettable tale of love, loss and resilience.
2. Share some lines from the Bob Dylan songs that you feel are relatable to you. Also, write the themes visible in those lines.
Lines from "Like a Rolling Stone”, that I find relatable are:-
“How does it feel, how does it feel?
To be without a home, like a complete unknown?"
Through use of words like “without a home” and “like a complete unknown”, Bob Dylan evokes a sense of isolation and detachment that we feel many times. Sometimes, this detachment is from the society, while sometimes, it can be an isolation from one’s own self.
These lines capture the experience of feeling disconnected or unsure of a person’s place in the world. It raises several existential questions about belonging, purpose of life and doubts about identity. The struggle to find stability in an ever changing world is perfectly captured here.
In these lines, the theme of “Alienation” and “Existential angst” is portrayed.
The lines from "Blowin' in the Wind" that I find relatable are:-
I admire these lines because they evoke the question of social justice. Along with that, it talks about changes that happen with time.
The first question, “how many years must amount exist before it is washed to the sea?” can be interpreted as a metaphor for enduring injustices or obstacles that seem insurmountable. It forces listeners to Think about many individuals and communities that face discrimination, and the raises awareness about the need for change.
The second question highlights the longing for freedom and equality. It questions how long some people must endure oppression before being granted basic rights and liberties. Through use of simple words, the plight of people is presented by Bob Dylan. So many people are constrained by societal norms and have to sacrifice their own wishes and live according to other’s rules.
In the third question, the people who turn a blind eye to suffering are challenged. It questions how many times a person can ignore the plight of others and pretend not to see their struggles. I find this aspect relatable
This aspect is relatable to anyone who has witnessed or experienced apathy or indifference in the face of human suffering.
Overall, these lines evoke a sense of frustration with the slow pace of change and the persistence of injustice, while also highlighting the power of awareness and action to bring about meaningful transformation. They speak to the universal desire for freedom, equality, and compassion, making them relatable to a wide audience.
3. Share some lines from the Robert Frost poems that you feel are relatable to you. Also, write the themes visible in those lines.
Lines from “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, that I find relatable:-
In this poem, as the title suggests, the narrator is stopping by the woods on a snowy evening. The narrator is enamoured by the beauty of the woods and exclaims that “The woods are lovely, dark and deep”. However, in the very next line he admits, “But I have promises to keep”. I find these lines relatable as many times in our lives, we find situations, things and places that we are completely enamoured by. There is a momentary wish to abandon the normal life and live in that place. The “woods” are a symbol of escape from the ordinary. But, one cannot abandon their duty, and they have to fulfil the promises that they have made. No matter the beauty of the current moment, we have to let it pass and move forward in our lives.
In the next two lines, the narrator repeats “And miles to go before I sleep”. On the surface level, this is a very simple line and one can interpret it to mean that the poet, after stopping in the woods for a moment, has to reach someplace for which he will have to travel a long while.
I personally read these lines as ambitious statements. The word “sleep”, could be used to mean Death. We only ever truly sleep once in our lives and that is in death. Till then we have many desires to fulfil, many goals to accomplish. The statement, “and miles to go before I sleep”, becomes a reminder of these goals that one is set out to achieve. Hence, we have to leave the comforting woods behind to fulfil our promises and ambitions. These lines provide me with constant inspiration and reminds me of the sacrifices we necessarily have to make to achieve something.
In these lines the themes of “Escape vs Responsibility”, “Importance of Duty” and “Ambition” are present.
4. Post the picture clicked during the activity and share some lines of any songs from Movies, Poems, or any type of music you feel is relatable to the theme of songs by Bob Dylan and poems by Robert Frost.
In the activity of ‘Character and Lyrics’, I was dressed as Meenamma from the movie ‘Chennai Express’. This character, because she embodies, strength, sensitivity, courage, and resilience. She becomes an example of how one can be kind and still be strong.
One song that I think reflects Bob Dylan’s themes of existential questioning, heartbreak and introspective nature of his songs is the title track of the movie “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”. You can listen to it here.
Here are the Lyrics to this song:-
Hai tu hi meri manzil
Tere bina guzara
Ae dil hai mushkil
Tu mera khuda
Tu hi duaa mein shaamil
Tere bina guzara
Ae dil hai mushkil
Mujhe aazmaati hai teri kami
Meri har kami ko hai tu laazmi
Junoon hai mera
Banoon main tere qaabil
Tere bina guzaara
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
Yeh rooh bhi meri
Yeh jism bhi mera
Utna mera nahi
Jitna hua tera
Tune diya hai jo
Woh dard hi sahi
Tujhse mila hai toh
Inaam hai mera
Mera aasmaan dhoondhe teri zameen
Meri har kami ko hai tu laazmi
Zameen pe na sahi
Toh aasmaan mein aa mil
Tere bina guzara
Ae dil hai mushkil
Maana ki teri maujoodgi se
Ye zindagani mehroom hai
Jeene ka koi dooja tareeka
Na mere dil ko maaloom hai
Tujhko main kitni
Shiddat se chaahun
Chaahe toh rehna tu be-khabar
Mohtaaj manzil ka toh nahi hai
Ye ek tarfa mera safar, safar
Khoobsurat hai manzil se bhi
Meri har kami ko hai tu laazmi
Adhura hoke bhi
Hai ishq mera kaamil
Tere bina guzara
Ae dil hai mushkil
Bob Dylan’s songs frequently delve into existential themes, questioning the meaning of life, identity, and one’s place in the world. Similarly, “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil” explores existential questions through the lens of romantic love, pondering the purpose and meaning of life in the absence of reciprocated affection. I personally find it has a similar vibe to Bob Dylan’s song “Like A Rolling Stone”. There is a sense of alienation and disillusionment that can also be found in both these songs. Both of these songs capture the complexity of human emotions.
As I conclude this exploration, I am reminded of the power of poetry and song to illuminate the human soul. Whether through the quiet contemplation of Frost’s snowy woods or the rebellious spirit of Dylan’s rolling stone, their words continue to echo through the corridors of time, inviting us to pause, reflect, and find meaning in the shared journey of existence.
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