Awake

805 Words2 Pages

Poetic and literary devices are often used in literature to encourage others to think about how and why a poem, short story or song, etc. was written. They aid in supporting and developing themes. Literary devices are the tools and techniques of language used to convey meaning. Many songs can be analyzed to discover various literary devices and poetic terms; allowing people to evaluate the words and form deeper understandings. For this assignment, the song I chose was "Awake My Soul" by the band Mumford and Sons. I picked this particular song because I am a huge fan of this band and their songs. Mumford & Sons are an English folk rock band who formed in 2007. The band has released two albums as of 2013, “Sigh No More”(2009) and “Babel”(2012). In December 2010, the band received two Grammy Award nominations, one for Best New Artist and the other for Best Rock Song. They won the Brit Award in 2011 for Best British Album. I find the lyrics of "Awake My Soul" beautifully placed and poetic. Mumford and Sons are known for their lyrically complex style of writing and unique folk sound; their intricate melodies and lyrics full of literary allusions. Their music has a familiar comfort to it but a unique perspective. I love the utter simplicity and wisdom of the messages portrayed throughout many of their songs; arranged in a way that makes one appreciate the beautiful combination of music and lyrics working together. My guess behind the meaning of “Awake My Soul” is that the ideas of keeping your soul free and awakening your soul both refer to the importance of being your own person, and not allowing someone else to determine who you are. In order to be an authentic person you have to "wake up" or become conscious of... ... middle of paper ... ...ontrast. Lines twenty-four and twenty-nine we are given an example of alliteration, “made to meet your maker.” Lines one and two also demonstrate rhythm, a strong, regular repeated pattern. I find this poem to be a didactic style of writing, it is intended to teach. The devices throughout “Awake My Soul” help support the main idea of the song and develop a deeper understanding. Music can create powerful connections between people. Poetic and literary devices are often used to analyze and reflect on the messages and lessons of song lyrics. They encourage deeper thinking to form better understandings by evaluating the words used. In this essay, I have discussed and assessed the lyrics in the song “Awake My Soul” by Mumford and Sons. By analyzing the literary terms used, I was able to form a deeper understanding of the song and the true meaning behind it.

Show More
Related

  • Analysis of the songs "Waiting on a Woman" by Brad Presley and George Strait´s "A Father´s Love"

    714 Words  | 2 Pages

    I have chosen to do two songs waiting on a woman by Brad Presley witch the whole song makes a gender stereotype about woman always making a man wait. The second song I choose to do is George Straits A fathers Love which enforces it’s hard to be a father and what a good strong dad role model is. Both songs spoke to me in different ways.

    Read More

  • letter from john foulcher to editor

    818 Words  | 2 Pages

    The use of alliteration, tone, mood, theme and other elements that construct a well balanced poem are in this piece of literature.

    Read More

  • The Blue Estuaries By Julia Alvarez

    607 Words  | 2 Pages

    Through the course of this poem the speaker discovers many things. Some discoveries made are physical while others are mental and emotional. On a physical level the speaker discovers a book, a new author and the power

    Read More

  • George Wilson's Use Of Literary Devices In The Great Gatsby

    257 Words  | 1 Pages

    The first literary device is a simile and it paints a picture in the readers head.

    Read More

  • Comparing The Cask of Amontillado and The Interlopers

    619 Words  | 2 Pages

    Literary devices are tools used by the author to help the reader understand a given literary work. Writers use different literary devices depending on their style and what they wish their reader to get out of their work. One important literary device that is essential for a successful literary work is theme. Theme is the general insight into life that the author shares with the reader. There are a number of different methods from which an author can choose to present his/her theme. One common strategy is to communicate the theme through the use of mood; the overall feeling or emotion conjured within the reader. In Edgar Allan Poe's short story, "The Cask of Amontillado," and in Saki's short story, "The Interlopers," the mood evoked within the reader is used to communicate the short story's overall theme.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Devices Used In Candide

    1193 Words  | 3 Pages

    A number of writers uses rhetorical devices in their writings whether it’s drama, romance, or a comedy. If you become advanced in the use of rhetorical devices it makes the literature packed with fullness and brings simplicity. Rhetorical devices brings significance instead of plainly stating the details. Writer’s disguise their writings so that the readers have to fathom things out for themselves. In Candide, Voltaire used numerous rhetorical devices to enhance Candide. Voltaire’s use of satire, irony, and symbolism is designed to make fun of philosophical optimism. He utilizes several kinds of rhetorical devices such as satire, irony, and symbols.

    Read More

  • How Poetic Devices Affect A Song Essay

    687 Words  | 2 Pages

    How do poetic devices affect a song? In the song "It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas" there are many poetic devices that can be found throughout it. Poetic devices describe how in this case a song is formed. The three poetic devices that are included in this song are imagery, rhymes, and repetition. These three poetic devices are elements that make the song a stronger piece because of there definition.

    Read More

  • Transcendentalism Essay

    1717 Words  | 4 Pages

    Music is regarded as a method of passing a message. Though some songs do not intend to do that, the message in them is still perceived. The song, “Get up, ...

    Read More

  • Understanding and Analyzing Four Literary Terms/Devices

    597 Words  | 2 Pages

    Literary; associated with literary works or other formal writing; having a marked style intended to create a particular emotional effect. Term; a word or phrase used to describe a thing or to express a concept, especially in a particular kind of language or branch of study. Device; a thing made or adapted for a particular purpose. Literary terms/devices is defined as the typical structures used by writers in their works to convey his or her messages in a simple manner to the readers. When employed properly, the different literary devices help readers to appreciate, interpret and analyze a literary work. Hello, I am Miya Cole and today I will explain to you my four literary terms/devices.

    Read More

  • Emily Dickinson's "Tell All the Truth but Tell It Slant" Explication

    934 Words  | 2 Pages

    Alliteration is a key aspect to how the reader experiences the poem; it especially gives interest toward alliteration of the letter T. This alliteration begins in the very first line “Tell all the Truth but tell it slant-” (1.1). The alliteration on the T is used three times within the first line; however, it does not stop there. Dickinson uses the “T” sound to continually draw back to the theme of truth. Dickinson, through the use of two stanzas, four lines each, uses quite a distinct rhyme scheme to organize her poem. The second and fourth lines of each stanza are clearly examples of end rhyme, by using words such as “lies” (1.2) and “surprise” (1.4). However, every single line is not an example of end rhyme. The first and third lines rhyme words such as “slant” (1.1) and “delight” (1.3); which can be described as near rhymes for they give a small sensation of rhyming. This rhyming pattern continues for the second stanza as well. The sequence of rhyming is not arbitrarily put into practice, rather, it also adds on to the truth theme. The near rhymes Dickinson stresses to not tell the truth in its entirety, but rather, convey a little bit of truth. This is being directly compared to the almost rhyming sensatio...

    Read More

  • Poetic Devices In Because I Could Not Stop For Death By Emily Dickinson

    284 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the poem written by Emily Dickinson, Because I could not stop for Death, the author uses many poetic devices to strengthen the power and quality of the poem. To define, a poetic device is a type of tool that can enhance the quality and meaning of a poem. Poetic devices complete a poem and allow for coherence. Dickinson uses a number of poetic devices in Because I could not stop for Death, which include personification and imagery. Personification means to give human attributes and character traits to non-humans. Dickinson uses the tool of personification in her poem when she writes, “We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain” (807). Grain cannot gaze as it is not living, so this is an example of personification. Another example of personification

    Read More

  • How Does Dickens Use Literary Devices In A Tale Of Two Cities

    1583 Words  | 4 Pages

    From being recalled to life, to leaving footprints, to being stained with blood, Dickens uses literary devices to help the reader become more connected with the story. In A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens uses devices such as motifs, metaphors, symbols, and foreshadowing to give us a mind-

    Read More

  • Motifs In Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak

    540 Words  | 2 Pages

    A literary device is a tool that the author uses to transfer a message to the reader. This can help the reader grow appreciation for the work, and better understand the character personality and other traits that are otherwise difficult to convey to the audience. There were several different literary devices that were used throughout the book but I chose to do my paper on a motif.

    Read More

  • Criticism In Francis Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

    1329 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most often, people assume literary devices in fiction stories were created to provide structure. To explore theme, one

    Read More

  • Neil Diamond: America

    575 Words  | 2 Pages

    The song that I chose for for my Essay is “Neil Diamond-America”. This song is all positivity on American ethics and American culture. All it talks about it America's great accomplishments. It talks about how great that is that people from other countries are coming from land and by sea just to see how amazing it is to live in America. It talks also made me realize that most Americans don't see America in the same way, that we don't realize the places we have and how truly great our country is. This song analyzes what a foreigner looks in in finding a safe haven or just a new place to live.

    Read More

More about Awake

Open Document