Protest Song Analysisfinal Task Student

YOUR ORAL TASK :

You are going to discover a modern recording of a very famous song Masters of War written by Bob Dylan. Make a song analysis to be posted online. Present the singer, the context, the lyrics ; Sum up its issue (s) (problem ,subject) etc. . Use the Protest Song Analysis worksheet and

the outline below to organize your analysis.

Protest Song Analysis Worksheet Name of Song: Written by: Performed by: Release Date:

Covered by :

________________________________________________________________________________

 What is the message or theme of the song? What is the purpose of the song?  What were the political circumstances at the time the song was released?  Does the song seem to be written in response to a specific event?  Does the song suggest any solution(s) to the issues/problems addressed? Explain.  Who is the speaker (narrative voice) of the song? Is it the artist or are the lyrics from another person’s perspective?  Read the first verse . To whom (or to what audience) is the song addressed? Discuss who the “Masters of War” are and how the singer feels towards them.  Pinpoint (indiquer) what Dylan’s argument in each verse is .  Describe how this song makes you feel and why. In other words, what mood does the song convey?  Discuss techniques used to make the song more powerful. Discuss how effective you think Bob Dylan is in getting his anti-war message across. 

Quote, identify, and explain at least Quotation

4

literary techniques found in the lyrics.

Literary Technique

Explanation

 Bob Dylan once explained that at that time he was “singing to define the way he felt about the world”. Say what his feelings “about the world” could have been.

Outline : A Protest Song Analysis Paragraph 1 – Introduction

• List the song’s title • The band/artist who perform it • The year / the time during which it was written / release date • Present the historical context and give some background information to “set the stage” for your analysis. ” (What relevant events are happening in North America or in the world during the time of the song’s release?) • Mention the important issue (s) the song protests or is about and its point of view • The style of the song and explain the song’s purpose. Paragraph 2-

• Describe or summarize the story and explain what is happening in the song • Who is the speaker? What is happening or what has happened? What is he/she protesting about? (Use quotations to support your ideas). • This body paragraph should begin by giving an overview of what the first verse (or verses) of the song is about and how the musical tone of the song supports this. Paragraph 3• What are some of the powerful words or images in the song? What do they mean

and how do they add power to the song? Are certain lines repeated? Why? Discuss techniques used to make the song more powerful. • Include and explain at least 4 literary techniques that make the song powerful

Paragraph 4• What is the message in the song? Explain why the message is effective. What

themes can you find in the song? • This should look at the chorus - what is the key message of the words and how does the song’s style change (or not change) to re-inforce this. How effective is the songwriter in getting his/her message across ? Final Paragraph –

• How does the song finish? • What are the key words or feeling from the music that we are left to think about? • Identify a main idea in your chosen song and explain whether you agree or disagree with the songwriter’s opinion. Support your response with specific reference to the song and your own beliefs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHMlAYeFeYw

"Masters Of War" Come you masters of war You that build all the guns You that build the death planes You that build all the bombs You that hide behind walls You that hide behind desks I just want you to know I can see through your masks. You that never done nothin' But build to destroy You play with my world Like it's your little toy You put a gun in my hand And you hide from my eyes And you turn and run farther When the fast bullets fly. Like Judas of old You lie and deceive A world war can be won You want me to believe But I see through your eyes And I see through your brain Like I see through the water That runs down my drain.

You fasten all the triggers For the others to fire Then you set back and watch When the death count gets higher You hide in your mansion' As young people's blood Flows out of their bodies And is buried in the mud.

You've thrown the worst fear That can ever be hurled Fear to bring children Into the world For threatening my baby Unborn and unnamed You ain't worth the blood That runs in your veins.

How much do I know To talk out of turn You might say that I'm young You might say I'm unlearned But there's one thing I know Though I'm younger than you That even Jesus would never Forgive what you do.