Thinking Activity: Bob Dylan and Robert Frost

 Bob Dylan and Robert Frost - Gems of the words

Welcome to my blog, where I will talk about what I think and try to answer the questions given in this task.this blog is written as response to the given by vaidehi ma'am.

Introduction:

Bob Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman in 1941, is an iconic American singer-songwriter, musician, and poet. He's renowned for his influential contributions to folk, rock, and protest music, earning numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016 for "having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition."

Notable works:

Blowin’ in the Wind (1962)

All along the Watchtower (1968)

Like A Rolling Stone (1965)

Robert Frost (1874–1963) was an esteemed American poet, celebrated for his depictions of rural life and keen observations of nature. He's best known for works like "The Road Not Taken" and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," which reflect themes of individualism, choice, and the human condition. Frost received four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry during his lifetime.

Now discuss question given in the task.

Question:1

Which is your favorite Poet/Lyricist? Why?

Here in this my favourite is lyricist and his name is like Bob Dylan. .There are many reasons why Bob Dylan is considered one of the greatest lyricists of all time, and they might be the reasons you love his work too.

Bob Dylan's status as one of the greatest lyricists of all time stems from a rich tapestry of reasons, and it's likely these very elements resonate with you as well. Firstly, Dylan's lyrics possess an undeniable poetic power. They transcend the realm of mere song writing, venturing into the depths and complexities of poetry. His masterful use of metaphor, allusion, and symbolism paints vivid pictures in the listener's mind, evoking a range of strong emotions. This depth has even led some to argue that his songs deserve recognition as standalone poems.

 "If you want to keep your memories, you first have to live them."( Bob Dylan)

Furthermore, Dylan's lyrics are potent instruments of social commentary. He doesn't shy away from tackling crucial issues that plague society, weaving themes of social justice and political unrest into his music. Songs like "Blowin' in the Wind" became rallying cries for the Civil Rights Movement, a testament to the power of his words. And throughout his extensive career, he has continued to confront issues like war and poverty, ensuring his music remains relevant and thought-provoking.

Adding another layer of brilliance is Dylan's genre-bending approach. He's a true musical chameleon, unafraid to experiment and push boundaries. While his roots lie in folk music, he seamlessly incorporates elements of blues, rock, and even gospel into his work. This constant evolution keeps his music fresh and exciting, ensuring his lyrics never get stale. The influence Dylan wields over the songwriting world is undeniable. Countless musicians cite him as a major inspiration, and his lyrical style continues to be imitated and reinterpreted by generations of artists.

Bob Dylan's lyrics are a confluence of poetic mastery, social commentary, genre-bending innovation, and a continuously evolving artistic spirit. It's likely this unique combination, or perhaps something even more personal to your taste, that makes him your favorite lyricist. The beauty of Dylan's music lies in its depth and richness, offering new layers of meaning with every listen.

 "No one is free, even the birds are chained to the sky."( Bob Dylan)

Question: 2

Share some lines from the Bob Dylan songs that you feel are relatable to you. Also, write the themes visible in those lines.

Lyrics from" Blowin’ in the Wind" (1962)

How many roads must a man walk down

Before you call him a man?

Yes, ’n’ how many seas must a white dove sail

Before she sleeps in the sand?

Yes, ’n’ how many times must the cannonballs fly

Before they’re forever banned?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

The answer is blowin’ in the wind

This song has been described as a protest song, self-expressing and showing reality. It possesses a series of rhetorical questions to mankind regarding their conscious ignorance of inhuman activities, racism, discrimination, peace, war and freedom, brutal cruelties of the 20th century. ‘ The answer my friend is blowing in the wind’ Through this line Dylan suggests that the solution is simply staring us in the face.

Themes:

War and Peace: The song is filled with questions about war and violence, highlighting the senselessness of it and yearning for peace. Lines like "How many deaths will it take 'til he knows that too many people have died?" directly confront the human cost of war.

Freedom: Another prominent theme is the yearning for freedom. This can be interpreted in the context of the Civil Rights Movement that was happening around the time the song was written, but it also applies more broadly to issues of social justice and individual liberty.

Hope and Frustration: There's a tension between hope for a better future and frustration with the lack of answers. The repeated line "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind" is ambiguous. It could suggest the answers are obvious but ignored, or that the solutions are elusive and hard to grasp.

Question: 3

Share some lines from the Robert Frost poems that you feel are relatable to you. Also, write the themes visible in those lines.

The last stanza from" The road not taken"

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

This stanza is powerful because it captures the universal human experience of facing choices and the possibility of roads not taken. The final line, "And that has made all the difference," is open to interpretation. It could suggest the chosen path led to a significant and positive outcome. However, the use of a sigh hints at a tinge of doubt or a lingering wonder about what might have been on the "other road."

Themes:

Decision and Choice: The speaker is faced with a fork in the road, symbolizing a crucial life decision. The emphasis on "I took" highlights the individual's agency and the weight of the choice.

Uncertainty and the Unknown: The poem doesn't reveal the outcome of the chosen path. "That has made all the difference" leaves the result ambiguous, hinting at the unknown consequences of our choices.

Question 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. 

Activity picture:

From the song "Dil Chahta Hai" from the Bollywood movie "Dil Chahta Hai":

"Dil chahta hai kabhi na beete chamkile din, 

dil chahta hai hum na rahein kabhi yaaron ke bin"

This line captures the essence of cherishing moments of friendship and the longing for everlasting companionship, echoing themes of camaraderie and connection found in the works of both Bob Dylan and Robert Frost.

Conclusion:

Robert Frost and Bob Dylan have become profound sources of inspiration for the younger generation. They've ignited a deep appreciation for aesthetic beauty in artistic endeavors and instilled a passion for creativity. Their works grapple with existential dilemmas, convey profound thoughts, and establish meaningful connections with their audience through their words. Their influence extends beyond mere words, shaping the way we perceive the world and our place within it.

Thank you...

https://www.britannica.com/summary/Bob-Dylan-American-musician

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Frost