The song opens with the solemn lyrics, “As soon as you’re
born they make you feel small,” making the audience feel inferior and hopeless.
The steady guitar rhythm makes the working-class audience reflect on their troubled lives. But Lennon gradually shifts
the tone of the song when begins to sing the chorus, “A working class hero is
something to be,” giving the audience hope of achieving success. The verses of
the song tell the miserable life of a factory worker. The labor movement was
inspired by workers who joined unions to fight for better conditions.
Lennon’s use of explicit language helps the audience to feel
what it is like to be taken advantaged of at bottom of the social hierarchy.
The working class citizen feels degraded but Lennon’s use of the word, “hero”
empowers the weak to have courage and overcome adversity. Ending the song in a
authoritative tone, Lennon encourages the working class to follow him to
improve their lives.
Great analysis of pathos in John Lennon's powerful song. Great use of specific lyrics to show the emotion Lennon was attempting to create in his listeners. I think thats why John Lennon was such a powerful individual. He was able to relate to the working class through his songs. He was their voice and as you said he "encouraged the working class to follow him to improve their lives."
ReplyDeleteI think John Lennon was able to take the emotions of the working class people and write and sing a song that encompasses all of the hardship they went through and yet sheds hope on their situation. I like how you pointed out the rhythm of the guitar in relationship to pathos because I think that even without the words the guitar connects with it's audience.
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