BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND

BOB DYLAN
Introduction:

Blowin in the wind is Bob Dylan’s first single of his second studio album “The
FreeWheelin”. It was one of his earliest songs related to the American Civil Right Movement in
1960’s. And this song was released in 1963 and played in the movie ‘Forrest Gump’ by a
character named Jenny.

Dylan was more than just a singer or song writer – he was a visionary and a
humanitarian.

Central idea of the song:

There have been many interpretations of this verse. The theme of the song is world peace,
freedom and war. Dylan was totally against the act of violence of the government. And this song
exposes all types of injustices which go unnoticed just like the wind. The answers of that
problems are in front of us. Many of these problems are unnecessary and do not benefit to
mankind in any way.

The song is both inspirational and optimistic with its messages of peace and freedom.

Structure of the song:

The song has lyrical quality. That expresses one’s feeling towards a certain subject. The
rhythm of the song is just like the wind itself. To some, it can be very calm yet powerful. Every
second line of the poem follows a rhyme pattern. ABCBDB is the rhyme scheme pattern used in
this song. Each word has no more than 2 syllables. There is no specific meter.

Poetic Devices used in this song:

• Rhetorical Questions - series of rhetorical questions are used throughout the song.
(Question that you ask without expecting an answer).
• Alliterations – it refers to the repetition of an initial consonant sound, at least three
times in a sentence.
• Anaphora – it refers to a repetition of one particular word purposely, at the start of
consecutive sentences or paragraphs. This is again in order to emphasize a point.
• Metaphor – an implied comparison between two unlike things that actually have
something important in common (as if two things were one.)
 • Refrain – same lines are repeated in the same song / poem.
• Assonance – repetition of two different vowel sounds.
• Visual imagery (to see) – how many ears must…
• Auditory imagery (to hear) - …before he can hear people cry?

Line by line explanation:

How many roads must a man walk down

Before you call him a man?

In the beginning of the line the artist questions about the life experiences of a person.
How many years a boy has to wait to becomegrown up man.

The line also refers to the Civil Right marches in the South America during 1960’s. How many
steps must be taken the blacks to get equal rights in America.

• ‘Road’ as a metaphor for life experiences. It also denotes the coming age or hopes.
• ‘Man’ is a symbol of freedom.

How many seas must a white dove sail

Before she sleeps in thesand?

To achieve peace and safety the people (black Americans) will take a long time. Dylan
uses this as a metaphor for life asking how much one must accomplish before they become
content with having done enough, being able to finally rest.

The word ‘a white dove’ denotes peace, unity or harmony. It also have a religious
allusion, i.e., the two white doves flying from Noah’s Ark across the flooded earth to see if there
was any place in the world to land and rest.

The same religious stories can be seen in Vishnu Puranas and Islamic History. It is also
mentioned in the story of god Vishnu’s Matsya(fish) avatar in SatyaYugha. Similar incident
(flood) happened during the time of Prophet Nooh.

• ‘Seas’ refers pursuit of peace.

Yes, and how many times must the cannon balls fly

Before they’re forever banned?

 A direct reference to war is seen here. Cannon balls are popular and destructive weapons
are using for the war time. Before realizing the after effects of war so many innocent people were
died. War did not give any peace and safetiness in the world.

Here, Dylan continuing the theme of peace. War is not a solution for all problems. Here,
refers a war between North America and South America.

• Cannon – the toll of war.

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

The answer is blowin’ in the wind.

To maintain world peace the answer is still around us.

The answer for all problems are just out there (around us) for anyone who willing to grab
them. The real problem is that no one is willing to grab that answers.

• ‘Wind’ is an allusion to life.

Yes,and how many years can a mountain exist

Before it is washed to the sea?

How long can someone with pride and glory exist before it all fades away? Through these
lines he indirectly criticizesthe domination of white people upon black in American society. That
domination cannot exist long days. It must be washed out from the society.

• ‘Mountain’ represents something solid and strong. It also denotes the status of human
being in life and an injustice in white American society during that time.
• ‘Sea’ indicates the vastness of life.

In this world all good and beautiful things must come to an end – that white domination
should be end at any time.

Yes, and how many years can some people exist

Before they’re allowed to be free?

Here, Bob Dylan clearly describes the idea about the ill treatment of white upon black
people in America. In America, Afro-Americans are being treated as second class citizens.
 How long the black can exist to suffer all kinds of oppression in white dominated
America.

• ‘Some people’ refers to Black Americans.

Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head

And pretend that he just doesn’t see?

A man, who pretends not to see the suffering around him. Here, ‘A man’ refers to the
ruler or government of US during that time.

The US Constitution declares the freedom but in reality the black did not get any freedom
in the society. The blacks are suppressed by the white. How long the government can pretend
not to see the exploitation of whites upon the blacks.

These four line of the song starting with ‘Yes’. It emphasizes the point of home
(country).

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

The answer is blowin’ in the wind.

Again, all the answers are just out there, waiting for someone to grab them.

Yes, and how many times must a man look up

Before he can see the sky?

Through these line he describe everyone should have the ability to pursue their dreams.

The main intention of blacks, they want equal opportunity and freedom in white dominated
American society.

• ‘Sky’ is the symbol of unlimited freedom and opportunities.

Yes, and how many ears must one man have

Before he can hear people cry?

Here, the poet is aiming at US foreign policy during the cold war and what ultimately
became US involvement in the Vietnam War.
 The cries of war and the cries of freedom are left unheard by the oppressors (white
people). But one day they get a solution for all these problems.

Yes, and how many deaths will it take till he knows

That too many people have died?

During the Vietnam War more and more troops were repeatedly sent in with the promise
that the war would end soon, but it seemed to never cease.

Here, the singer gives a possible reference of Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of
USA, was forced to drop nuclear bombs on Japan. He thought if they drops bomb they would kill
innocent Japanese people but save countless American soldiers.

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

The answer is blowin’ in the wind.

In the end of the song, the refrain has taken a new meaning. It’s no longer ethereal; it’s a
challenge.

In retrospect, the US Civil Right Movement really did come to that.

Prepared by

JAMSHEED. A

Former HSST in ENGLISH

AEHSS.Thirurkkad (PO)Malappuram DT