Robert Frost and Bob Dylan

         This blogg task given by prakruti maam. Robert Frost and Dylan.

   

    Bob Dylan’s receipt of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016 sparked a vigorous debate,      primarily because his work is deeply rooted in the musical domain, with many questioning       whether song lyrics can be considered “literature” in the traditional sense

The Nobel Prize in Literature has historically been awarded to authors, playwrights, and poets who create works of written language, so the choice of a songwriter created a moment of reflection on what constitutes literature, art, and poetry.

Arguments for Dylan’s Nobel Prize in Literature

1. Lyrical Poetry:

 Dylan’s lyrics often have a poetic quality that transcends their musical context. 

Many of his songs are dense with imagery, symbolism, and emotional depth, much like traditional poetry. 

For example, in songs like "Blowin' in the Wind" and "A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall," Dylan uses vivid, almost biblical language to convey philosophical and political messages. 

His works are regularly compared to the poetry of figures like Allen Ginsberg and T.S. Eliot because of their ability to encapsulate complex human experiences in few, evocative lines.

2. Innovative and Influential:

Dylan revolutionized not just folk and rock music but also the art of songwriting. His ability to use music and lyrics to express existential, social, and political themes has had a profound impact on both music and literature. 

His influence is undeniable, and many argue that his contributions to culture have shaped the course of modern art and thought in much the same way as literary giants.

3. A Literary Tradition:

Dylan himself has been deeply influenced by literature, citing authors like Homer, James Joyce, and the Bible as significant influences on his work. 

He often references classic literary themes, such as love, loss, revolution, and identity, in ways that invite readers to see his work as an extension of literary traditions. 

The blending of his poetic voice with a musical medium doesn’t diminish its literary value but instead redefines the boundaries of what literature can be.

4. The Nobel’s Expanding Definition:

The Nobel Prize in Literature does not have a rigid definition of what constitutes “literature.”  

 It has been awarded to figures who push the boundaries of what the written word can achieve, including playwrights like Samuel Beckett and even figures like Winston Churchill, whose works were more political in nature.  

 By this logic, Dylan’s work, which challenges norms and speaks to the times, could be seen as fitting within the prize’s wider vision.

Arguments Against Dylan’s Nobel Prize :

1. The Medium of Song:

One of the primary objections to Dylan's award was the fact that his works are intended to be heard rather than read. Critics argue that because Dylan’s work is often accompanied by music, it should not be categorized alongside the works of novelists, playwrights, and poets. Song lyrics, some argue, rely on melody, rhythm, and performance to deliver their full impact, which distinguishes them from traditional written texts. 

. This reliance on music can lead to an argument that his work is not purely literary, as it involves a different medium of expression. 

2. The Focus on Lyrics Over Literature:

Some critics point out that song lyrics, while often poetic, may not engage with the same literary devices or depth as traditional poetry.  

 Unlike the works of poets like Seamus Heaney or Derek Walcott, Dylan’s lyrics are often viewed through the lens of popular music rather than the literary canon. While Dylan’s lyrical mastery is widely acknowledged, detractors argue that he is more of a cultural figure than a literary one, and his songs are, at their core, meant to be enjoyed in the context of music rather than as standalone works of literature. 

3. Blurred Boundaries of Art:

The Nobel Prize in Literature has long been seen as a marker of traditional literary achievement. Awarding the prize to Dylan might signal a shift in the understanding of what constitutes literary merit, but for some, this could be seen as devaluing the distinction between musical and literary art.  

 Critics argue that Dylan’s recognition represents an uncomfortable blurring of boundaries, where the unique qualities of literature may be overshadowed by the broader appeal and reach of popular culture. 

Can We Consider Dylan’s Works Literary and Poetic?

consider Bob Dylan’s works both literary and poetic. Much like the works of the Beats and other poets who integrated elements of everyday speech, music, and performance into their poetry, Dylan’s lyrics blur the lines between music and literature. His songs can be read as poetry due to their emotional resonance, vivid imagery, and often complex language. 

 Dylan’s exploration of themes like identity, social justice, personal freedom, and the human condition allows his work to transcend its immediate musical context, making it relevant for literary discussions. If one considers poetry and literature as forms that provoke thought, stir emotions, and reflect the human experience, then Dylan’s works certainly fit the bill. 

Ultimately, the debate surrounding Dylan’s Nobel Prize reflects broader questions about the nature of art and the changing landscape of literary forms.

2. The Poetry of Robert Frost and Dylan Thomas in Comparison and Contrast Essay :

Our task is to compare and contrast the poetry of Robert Frost with that of Dylan Thomas in terms of their themes, style, and use of imagistic elements. It is impossible to talk about poets’ works without following their biographies as all the emotions which appear in their lives, of no importance whether they are good or bad, influence the poets’ writings.

Robert Lee Frost is an American writer who was born on March 26, 1874, in San Francisco. He began to write poems when he was a student. He came to England with his wife in 1912. And in 1913, he placed his first book of poems A Boy’s Will in a small London edition.

The themes of Frost’s poems may divide his creations into several parts. First, he wrote “poems about the hard work, difficulty, and uncertainty of country life” (Poetic Modes in the Late 19th and Early 20th Century), he showed a dramatic or even sympathetic attitude to his New England character.

 He was against the social and political reforms that he depicted in his poems. The other period is when he became “expert at composing poems.

Frost’s poems are telling us about his attitude to life, his country, and people. He is looking for some universal themes which could be interesting to everybody and very often he turned to rural life in his works. 

At the end of 1962, the poet was sent for a prostate operation, during which he suffered a severe heart attack, and in the process of treatment, he died of a series of embolisms. Robert Lee Frost died on January 29, 1963. 

Dylan Thomas was born in 1941 in South Wales, his parents were Welsh. 

Thomas was happy during his childhood; he was full of life, dreamy, and with a vivid imagination. He was not good in all subjects except English. He became an editor of a school magazine and during that time he wrote his first poem. 

 Thomas’ poems are like the reflection of his childhood dreams and emotions. His first book with poems was published in 1913. The poems of Thomas depict the author’s problems, battles, and victories. His works are a search for truth in philosophy and religion.

The author gives the reader a romantic atmosphere and a vivid description of his feelings. He created his poems for people, he wanted them to understand what he was writing about, so he was looking for some universal topics, themes that were familiar to everybody and which could be understood by everybody.

The lives of both these poets are similar in some ways. They both lived almost in one period, they both spared their lives in England and America (Thomas also visited America and lived there for some time). They wanted their poetry to be understandable to people. They wrote about things that were common for everybody, they tried to depict universal topics and fill them with their emotional experience. 

To compare and contrast the terms of their themes, style, and use of imagistic elements we should analyze one of the rhymes of each poet. I have chosen the poem “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost and “A Refusal to Mourn the Death, By Fire, Of a Child in London” by Dylan Thomas.

The author tells us about two notions the power of which can destroy the whole world. Frost gives his own attitude to these notions but does not say what exactly he prefers, what he feels better to die of. He knew what desire (fire) was and at the same time, he understood people who felt hate (ice) in their hearts. It is impossible to interpret what feeling is stronger as it is impossible to control people’s emotions, especially when the feelings are fresh and painful.

“A Refusal to Mourn the Death, By Fire, Of a Child in London” by Dylan Thomas may be interpreted in several different ways. The poem starts with a very strong and emphatic “Never” which tunes the reader on a very serious tone. The poem is about the circle of death and birth,

Death is described as something positive here. Death symbolizes the reproduction of life “mankind making” (Thomas). It is impossible the birth without death, it is two interconnected notions. So, the author tells that people should not mourn the death of people, as it is an uninterrupted process on the earth.

The poem may be divided into four parts. In the first part the death is associated with the “return to nature, a meeting with basic elements which implies the end of self-identity, the loss of individuality and complete integration with the elements” 

So, both authors lived during the same period, in the same countries, and created on the same topics (not always, but still). The two poems of these authors, which we analyzed, showed us some common features and differences in the themes of the poems, in their language, and types of imaginary. To speak about my attitude to the authors, I would say that I like more the works of Robert frost, but do not show that the poems of Dylan Thomas do not deserve people’s attention.

3. Bob Dylan and Robert Frost both explore themes of change, wandering, the passage of time, and the human experience. Here are some lines from songs, poems, and movies that echo their spirit:

Song: "The Times They Are A-Changin’" – Bob Dylan

"Come gather 'round people wherever you roam
And admit that the waters around you have grown..."

Similar Theme: "Blowin’ in the Wind" – Bob Dylan
"How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?"

Poem: "The Road Not Taken" – Robert Frost

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both..."

Similar Theme: "Desperado" – The Eagles
"Now it seems to me some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can't get."

Song: "Dust in the Wind" – Kansas (echoes Frost’s reflections on time)

"Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see."

Movie Quote: "Dead Poets Society" (1989)

"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary." (This aligns with Frost’s themes of making choices and Dylan’s themes of change.)

4. Both Bob Dylan and Robert Frost are master storytellers who weave philosophical reflections and socio-cultural commentary into their works. Their narratives often contain vivid imagery, symbolism, and allegory, allowing for multiple interpretations. 

 

Bob Dylan: Storytelling as Protest and Reflection :

1. "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" (1964) 

This song tells the true story of Hattie Carroll, a Black maid who was killed by a wealthy white man, William Zantzinger. Through a journalistic yet poetic approach, Dylan highlights racial and class injustice in America.

Philosophical/Social Commentary: 

The song critiques systemic racism and the judicial system, as Zantzinger received only a six-month sentence. Dylan’s storytelling turns a single event into a broader commentary on inequality and power. 

2. "Hurricane" (1975)

A powerful narrative about Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a Black boxer wrongly convicted of murder. Dylan paints a cinematic picture of injustice, racism, and corruption in the American legal system.

Philosophical/Social Commentary

The song’s refrain, "That’s the story of the Hurricane, but it won’t be over till they clear his name," emphasizes the struggle against institutional oppression.

3. "A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall" (1962)

This song is structured like a dialogue between a father and son, with the son recounting surreal and apocalyptic visions.

Dylan’s fragmented storytelling style reflects Cold War fears, nuclear anxiety, and societal decay, using poetic imagery to warn about impending catastrophe.

4. "Ballad of Hollis Brown" (1964)

The song tells the bleak story of a South Dakota farmer driven to despair by poverty, ultimately murdering his family and himself.

My Referenec :

https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-poetry-of-robert-frost-and-dylan-thomas-in-comparison-and-contrast/

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/arts/music/bob-dylan-nobel-prize-literature.html

https://www.jstor.org/stable/41472492

https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/3831333.pdf