Society Issues In “The Times They Are a Changing"

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Bob Dylan’s “The Times they are a Changing” was released in 1964. Bob Dylan is considered one of the greatest rock/folk singers of all times. Lyrically Bob Dylan has managed to write songs that have made a lot of people change the way they face society. During the 1960s many politicians saw him as a threat due to the fact that his lyrics were becoming powerful in society. People started to see Bob Dylan as someone to follow, because he was honest, and everything he said in his songs made sense. Bob Dylan was a member of the civil rights movement during the 1960’s. His song “The Times they are a Changing” clearly reflects desire to modernize the way society faced decisions. It was considered one of many Dylan’s protest songs. I will illustrate that the song actually reflects desire to modernize society despite what critics think or say. If we focus on the first stanza, we see how Dylan quests to send the message that people have to accept change. Things in America were changing during the 1960’s; an example of this change is shown in the song. “And admit that the waters around you have grown” (3-4) this line encourages people to face the truth. Changes were taking place and society refused to accept them. The last two lines of the first stanza are key to the development of the song. “Then you better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone” (9-10) these lines try to send the message that if you weren’t willing to accept changes, you would struggle with society in the future. In the second stanza, Dylan focuses on the people that are trying to avoid change from happening. Politicians and important people try to keep traditional ideas and things that society have been following for years. Come writers and critics Who prophesize with your pen And keep your eyes wide The chance won’t come again And don’t speak too soon For the wheel’s still in spin (12-17)
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