Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Post for April 19

Hello All,

Your last posts were excellent; good work.

1. For this post, first read Essay #1: Lyric Analysis.

2. Then, write a short analysis (one paragraph) of the song "A Series of Dreams." In this paragraph, use three different quotes (as you did in the last post).

3. Finally, just name the song you plan on analyzing for your essay.

Enjoy your weekend!

21 comments:

  1. Brittany Stevens

    In Bob Dylan's song, "Series of Dreams," he uses the archetypes/symbols of the eye, running, and a path to convey the theme of life. Bob Dylan uses the lyrics, "Cept the one that you can't see with your eyes," to imply his understanding of life and it's many different directions it can take an individual; "As the organ through which we perceive light and the visual world, the symbolizes consciousness, intelligence, knowledge, and understanding ('I see')" (Stevens 404). To also implicate this Dylan writes, "Into the path you are hurled." If one looks at what a path symbolizes, according to Stevens, one can see Dylan's meaning. According to Stevens, a path is "a symbol of human life" (157). From this we can then see that Dylan is trying to say we are put into life without choice and it can take us many different directions without our permission. Then Dylan goes on to talk about different types of dreams, in one of the dreams he indicates that he was running. Stevens writes, "Running in dreams can also be enjoyable- delight in the animal state of covering distance effortlessly and at speed, feeling full of energy, vitality, and 'animal spirits'" (421). This symbolizes the state Dylan feels about life. He is excited at the diversity life can give him and uses this song to show how life can be "dreamlike" to himself.

    The song I am going to do for the literary analysis is, "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive," by Hank Williams.

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  2. “Nothing too very scientific/ Just thinking of s series of dreams” is Bob Dylan’s recall of his dreams. Bob Dylan uses the archetype/ symbol of dreams in general to make the listeners backdrop to something we have all experienced. As Anthony Stevens writes in Ariadne's Clue (1998) “These typical dreams […] are experienced by virtually every dreamer […]” (p. 21), and thus the listeners relate to Dylan’s song. Over all: “These typical dreams express the shared concerns, preoccupations, and interests of all dreamers” (p. 21). And that is what dreams in general can be like: confusing, surreal, mystifying, muddled, and even muggy. As such they are well suited to Dylan who has repeatedly introduced us to surrealism in his songs.

    The song I use for my literary analysis is "Mariposa Traicionera" by Mana.

    **Edith Bejar**

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  3. Bob Dylan’s song lyrics, “Series of Dreams,” uses the symbols/ archetypes of dream(s), path, and running which are used to convey a general description of life. According to Anthony Stevens, author of Ariadne’s Clue,” These typical dreams, as we shall call them, are experienced by virtually every dreamer” (21). From the song lyrics, “Series of Dreams,” by Bob Dylan, the image or thought of path depicts life and death or direction(s): “From nomadic times, and probably long before, a symbol of human life, as being a passage from cradle to the grave; in religious life, a symbol of The Way” (157). Dylan utilized the symbol of running in “Series of Dreams” to represent life’s freedom “This can be associated with the same feelings of freedom as experienced in dreams of flying” (421) to show our relationship with life’s freedom and restriction.

    The son I plan to analyze in my essay is “There’s a Hero,” by Mariah Carey.

    Nancy Sanchez

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  4. "Series of Dreams" by Bob Dylan song archetype is dreams. According to Stevens dreams are "no less thanb in consciousness, we use symbols to try out ideas in the light of past experience and to formulate new concepts as they burst through the threshold of consciousness" (p. 16-7). Dreams occur when individuals sleeping, but in past times it is thought to orginate else where: "the place and time at which the sacred events are believed to have occurred are the centre of the cosmos at the moment of the Creation" (Steven, 1998, p.70). In line with Stevens (1998), "Human dreams are spontaneous" which involves " involuntary events which generate symbols every night of our lives" (p.16).

    Timeshia Womack

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  5. In Bob Dylan's song, "Series of Dreams" he explores the dream world and explains his conscious perception of it. I would say the archetype is about life; more specifically the air that makes us live. Anthony Steven explains that breathing is "self-evidently a symbol of life"(p.415). When we sleep and dream we only breathe, almost as if life is happening outside of our body. It is as if in Dylan's song he is talking about another realm. Stevens also writes that the "space between Heaven and Earth to be filled with 'breath'..." (p. 415). That "space" may be what Dylan is talking about while he dreams.

    For my song analysis I will analyze "Careless Whisper" by George Michael.
    ~~Cassie Marchman~~

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  6. In Bob Dylan's song, "Series of Dreams" the archetypes of a path, dreams, and running from the bad things, are all used. These are all things that we run into with our life. The path in the song repreasents the journey of life. Accodring to Anthony Stevens(1998) a road is, "From nomadic times, and probably long before, a symbol of human life, as being a passage from the cradle to the grave; in religious life, a symbol of The Way"(p. 157). Also, dreams are something we all have on our journey through life. Dreams are the places we go escape the real world: "These typical dreams express the shared concerns, preoccupations and interests of all dreamers. They may be said to constitue the universal constants of the human psyche"(Stevens, 1998, p. 21). There are of course specific dreams which have meaning, as Bob Dylan mentions, but more specifically he portrays the idea of running in his dreams. Anthony Stevens says running "is a common happening in dreams," and it can not only mean you are running from something, but it can also mean you are "feeling full of energy" and this feeling "can be associated with the same feelings of freedom"(1998, p. 421). As it says in the title, in Bob Dylan's song, he is explaining the challenges and obstacles we all deal with in our lifes.

    The song I plan on analyzing is "Long Black Train" by Josh Turner.

    --Rachel Sterling

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  7. Sergio Espain

    Most of Bob Dylan's music can be interpreted in many different ways. "Series of Dreams" is no exception. The song focuses on the simplicity of dreams. He (whether it be Dylan or some other protagonist) has accomplished plenty in his life, but has simple dreams, and that's enough. Some of the symbols used in the song are dreaming, thinking, and climbing. Stevens states that climbing is "a tendency whereby an individual, perhaps a social class, or any type of aggregate, maximizes its chances of moving up from a lower social position to a higher one" (323). Our subconscious allows us to do what we cannot do in our dreams: "Believing that our souls actually go off and do the things we dream" (276). Running symbolizes either being pursued by something evil or maybe being full of energy and vitality (421).

    The song I will analyze is "Ghost of Tom Joad" by Bruce Springsteen.

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  8. In Bob Dylan's song "Series of Dreams" he tells about dreams. According to Stevens (1998) dreams consist of a "hieroglyphic language which enable us to forge concepts into pictures". (pg 21) This language is "universal, in that it yields similar symbols in the dreams and myths of peoples throughout the world." (pg 21) Dylan connects with his audience by singing about dreams, something that everyone can relate to. A series of dreams perhaps is about the changes throughout life. Stevens states that dreams are "a process which can open up the personality to new symbolic meanings rich in implications for the life of the dreamer and possessing potentially enormous transormative power." (pg 17)Dylan gives four different verses of different types of dreams, perhaps each verse for a different time of his life.

    The song I plan on analyzing is "The House That Built Me" by Miranda Lambert.

    Kari-Lyn Doria

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  9. Bob Dylan’s “Series of Dreams” begins with a slow tempo; coupled with understated drums and several strings, the song has a lackadaisical and dreamy mood. The song itself is about the “manifest content of dreams” (Stevens, 28). The song uses the archetype of hierarchy and levels. Dylan sings that “nothing comes up to the top/ everything stays down where it’s wounded”, which describes the importance of reaching some higher level. Stevens asserts that the ladder or progression archetype is symbolic of “the means of climbing from Earth to Heaven” (Stevens, 248). Following Dylan’s logic, if you do not ascend to the “top” you stay “down” on Earth, a place that is capable of allowing harm. There is another archetypal allusion to the struggle to attain Heaven. In one of his dreams, Dylan sees that “numbers were burning”, which can be interpreted as a sign from Heaven or a sign from Hell, as fire “represents both pure spiritual power and dangerous erotic passion” (Stevens, 128).

    The song I plan on analyzing for the Literary Analysis is "Family Tradition" by Senses Fail.

    --Kristen Perez

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  10. Bob Dylan's song "Series of Dreams" tells about his dreams. Stevens believes that dreams "constitute the universal constants of the human psyche"(pg 21). Basically what we dream is part of who we are. Everyone dreams and there are so called "typical drams" in which "concerns, preoccupations and interests" that every dreamer has (pg 21). These dreams as Dylan states come in a series. However, these dreams don't come connected in anyway and are scattered about. Dreams do what we as humans can fail to do sometimes: "express our ideas and intentions." (pg 21) Sometimes we do not express ourselves as well as we should or sometimes not at all. The dreams help to express ourselves however not in a nice fashionable order, but in a jumbled mess that must be decoded by the dreamer. In essence our dreams are a key to our psyche but only we can interpret these dreams for ourselves.

    ~Joel P. I plan to analyze "Bleed it out" by Linkin Park

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  11. In Bob Dylan's song, "Series of Dreams," he uses the archetypes/symbols of breathing, dreams and path to show experiences,accomplishments and what we need in life. According to Stevens, author of Ariadne's Clue, a path is "a symbol of human life" (157). With this Dylan lets his listeners know that throughout life we choose our own way or path either to good or to bad. Dylan in general talks about dreams being the ones that we all experience at some point and that we can learn from them :"These typical dreams, as we shall call them, are experienced by virtually every dreamer” (21). Also, Dylan uses breathing in his song as a symbol of life in where Stevens explains that breathing is "self-evidently a symbol of life"(p.415)because in order to live it is necessary for us to breath.

    The song I will like to analyze is "Russian Roulette" by Rhianna.

    ~Elvira Alvarez

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  12. In Bob Dylan's song "Series of Dreams", he sings about having nightmares with no ways of advancing toward a better ending. It may be better expressed as a person in a depression in effect of using drugs. Dylan uses the object of an umbrella as a form of transportation in his song. Using an umbrella as a form of transformation "can say much about the dreamer's subjective sense of attractiveness, self-esteem, social status, personality integration, and mode of adjustment to life" (Stevens, 291). Dylan also uses the act of playing in his depiction of playing cards: Through play a young child acquires those basic skills which will guarantee its autonomy and its survival" (Stevens, 420). However, in his depiction, Dylan claims that his playing cards are useless in the game of life. The song also describes a path that the persona is engaging in. According to Stevens, "a path is a symbol of human life, as being a passage from the cradle to the grave" (157). The persona is forced into a path in which he or she becomes lost. Dylan uses the archetypes of the umbrella as a means of transportation, the use of playing in playing cards, and the path to express his feelings of depression, a possible effect of drugs that the persona is facing with.

    The song that I will be analyzing is called "Desperado" by the Eagles.

    Fatima Lucio

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  13. In Bob Dylan's song "Series of Dreams", he sings about having nightmares with no ways of advancing toward a better ending. It may be better expressed as a person in a depression in effect of using drugs. Dylan uses the object of an umbrella as a form of transportation in his song. Using an umbrella as a form of transformation "can say much about the dreamer's subjective sense of attractiveness, self-esteem, social status, personality integration, and mode of adjustment to life" (Stevens, 291). Dylan also uses the act of playing in his depiction of playing cards: Through play a young child acquires those basic skills which will guarantee its autonomy and its survival" (Stevens, 420). However, in his depiction, Dylan claims that his playing cards are useless in the game of life. The song also describes a path that the persona is engaging in. According to Stevens, "a path is a symbol of human life, as being a passage from the cradle to the grave" (157). The persona is forced into a path in which he or she becomes lost. Dylan uses the archetypes of the umbrella as a means of transportation, the use of playing in playing cards, and the path to express his feelings of depression, a possible effect of drugs that the persona is facing with.

    The song that I will be analyzing is called "Desperado" by the Eagles.

    Fatima Lucio

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  14. Bobby Dylan holds to a 'series of dreams' in his song, and with these dreams he "[tries] out ideams in the light of past experience" and even more he "formulate[s] new concepts" (Stevens, 16).In one of his dreams, Dylan seems to be yearning for completion as a dreams of climbing: "the quest for wholeness" (Stevens, 325). Stevens argues that the dream about 'running' symbolizes "feelings of freedom" (421).
    For my song, I am considering "Reality" by the Newsboys.
    --Michael Adamson

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  15. “Series of Dreams” speaks about the hardships of life. There is no escaping this life except through death and the hope of an afterlife. . Stevens writes, “[t]he perception that death is unavoidable has consequently given rise to the religious imperative to prepare for it, to meet it, and to overcome it” (256). It also speaks about how in the unconscious mind is where the pain and hurt is and none of it comes to the surface: “…we are able to control our own destiny is limited and that we are like puppets whose string are in the hands of fate, the gods, and the collective unconscious…”(328). The reference to the cards shows how the cards that life has dealt the speaker have not been fairly given; his life has not been abundant; he lacks good fortune. The song also speaks of being hurled on the path which according to Sevens is” a symbol of human life, as being a passage from the cradle to the grave...”(157).
    I will be analyzing Jails and Bombs by Amos Lee.
    Tracy Slegers

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  16. In the song “Series of Dreams” by Bob Dylan, the archetypal symbols of running, eyes, and path are utilized. In terms of the archetype of running, Anthony Stevens author of Ariadne’s Clue, states that running “can be associated with the same feelings of freedom as spirits’” (421). From the lyrics of “Series of Dreams” by Bob Dylan, the use of the eye depicts wisdom: “the eye symbolizes consciousness, intelligence, knowledge and understanding (‘I see’)” (404). Bob Dylan also makes use of the symbol of a path to denote “the way” in which we find ourselves and what we are meant to do in life (157). Bob Dylan makes great use of these archetypes to provide his lyrics with depth and emotion that many listeners are able to relate to.

    The song I plan to analyze is “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” by Johnny Cash.

    ~Cindy Astorga

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  17. In his song "Series of Dreams". Bob Dylan expresses his attitude towards life. He expresses the life as a dream, where he does not understand where he is going and what he is doing. According to Hall and Nordby, "Typical dreams express the shared concerns, preoccupations, and interests of all dreamers. They may be said to constitute the universal constants of the human psyche." (Stevens, 21) In the song Dylan sings about an umbrella which is folded into the path. The path, according to Stevens, is "A symbol of human life, as being a passage from the cradle to the grave." (157) In his dreams Dylan runs, and running can be associated with "feeling full of energy, vitality, and 'animal spirits'." (421) This means that Dylan's life is full of unpredictable situations, but he never gives up and he is always energetic.

    The song that I am planning to analyze is "Incomplete" by Backstreet Boys.

    Nigina Boltaeva

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  18. In Bob Dlyan's song "Series of Dreams" reflects on how random our dreams can be. Dreams run ramped without limitations. Dreams are believed to be what we really want to act out:" Believing that our souls actually go off and do things we dream once we are asleep."(276). Dlyan also writes about flying in which Stevens says is a feeling of "freedom" and "intoxicating awareness". (419). The song refers to eyes and being not be able to see, "symbolizing ... our inability to see something". (404). this song relates much to our inability to control our dreams, and how random our thoughts can be.

    The song i am planning to analyze is "Vivir sin Aire" by Mana
    Priscilla C. Caraballo

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  19. The importance of the song is found in the chorus. The tempo increases which may represent the strong signifigance. "Dreams where the umbrella is folded, Into the path you are hurled
    And the cards are no good that you’re holding" Where the umbrella is folded symbolized the lack of protection, which is a negative aspect on life. "The encounter with negative aspects of the self is experienced as a mortification" (238). Into the path you are hurled symbolizes some kind of force down something: "The path is necessarily difficult and strewn with hazards" (157). The cards may symbolize some kind of fortune or lack of luck he bares in his hands. The mandala, which is the universal symbol for Self "represents the achievement of the goal" (236). In this case, the cards he holds are no good, therefore he has no achievement within him Self.
    I will be analyzing Paramores' Brick by boring brick
    Sarina Flores

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  20. Have you ever felt that you haven’t thanked your mom enough for all that things that she has done for you? “Dear Momma,” by 2 Pac is a very touching song about all the drama that his mom went through while raising her children. 2 Pac is thanking her for raising him to be a man without a father. The lyrics uses slang to make his point seem more believable, as If he was going through the struggle. 2 Pac does not really use as much archetypes because his lyrics are very concrete. Children are taking advantage of their mothers even though their mothers have done so much for their children. Instead of fighting their mothers, children should listen and learn about what their mothers are trying to tell them.

    Kenneth Clark

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  21. Bob Dylan’s song represents the psyche because it talks about the unconscious and conscious. He talks about having dreams of accomplishing things for himself in a conscious manner, but compares those with unconscious dreams when he is asleep that don’t come true. Anthony Stevens (1998) argues that “typical dreams” gives us access to “constitute the universal constants of the human psyche,” which connects to one of Jung’s theory that Dreams are connected to the unconsciousness (p.21). In Bob Dylan’s song he describes that he is running from his past, and has nowhere to run. According to Anthony Stevens (1998), “Running away, being pursued by a predator or a savage warrior is common happening in our dreams- as for our ancestors in the evolutionary past” (p.421). Dylan also explains in his song, that he has no direction in life and is lost, and keeps picking the wrong the path and needs a guide. A lost object becomes a symbol only when we invest it with significance: “it is the search for enlightenment, the ‘pearl of great price’ for individuation” (Stevens, 1998, p.249). The purpose of the song is that he is lost and needs a path to reach his dream.

    The song that I picked is “Glycerine” by Bush
    Robert De Anda

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