ThAct: Robert Frost & Bob Dylan

 Robert Frost and Bob Dylan

Hello everyone this blog is responding to a thinking activity task assigned by Prakruti Ma’am. Which is based on Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan and Robert Frost 

 

#What is the debate surrounding Bob Dylan's achievement of the Nobel Prize in Literature (2016)? Discuss.

Bob Dylan's reception of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016 was met with a mix of celebration and controversy. The primary debate revolved around whether songwriting should be considered literature and if Dylan's lyrical output could be placed alongside canonical literary figures like Ernest Hemingway, Gabriel García Márquez, or Toni Morrison.

Arguments Supporting Dylan’s Nobel Prize	Arguments Against Dylan’s Nobel Prize
Lyricism as Poetry: Many critics and scholars argue that Dylan’s lyrics stand alone as poetry, independent of their musical accompaniment. His mastery of language, metaphor, allusion, and social commentary places him in the tradition of literary greats.	Songs vs. Written Literature: Some critics argue that literature should be confined to written texts and that lyrics, being inherently tied to performance and music, do not belong to the realm of literary fiction or poetry.
Influence on Culture: Dylan’s songs, such as Blowin’ in the Wind and The Times They Are A-Changin’, have played a crucial role in shaping public consciousness on civil rights, war, and politics, making his work as impactful as any literary text.	Preference for Traditional Novelists or Poets: Many felt that contemporary novelists such as Haruki Murakami or Philip Roth were more deserving. They argued that the Nobel Prize in Literature should prioritize those who contribute to traditional forms of literature.
Continuity with Literary Traditions: Dylan draws inspiration from folk traditions, the Beat poets (such as Allen Ginsberg), and even classical poets like Rimbaud, making his work a bridge between oral storytelling and written literature.	Dylan’s Own Response: Dylan himself took weeks to acknowledge the award, adding to the skepticism about whether he considered himself a literary figure.

#Can we consider his works literary and poetic in nature?

Bob Dylan’s works can absolutely be considered literary and poetic in nature. His lyrics exhibit many characteristics of traditional poetry, including vivid imagery, symbolism, allusion, and deep thematic exploration. The primary reason for the debate about his Nobel Prize in Literature (2016) was whether song lyrics, inherently tied to music, qualify as literature in the same way as novels, plays, or written poetry.

 Dylan’s Works Are Literary and Poetic

1)Rich Use of Poetic Devices

• Dylan’s lyrics employ metaphor, alliteration, personification, irony, and paradox, much like classical poets.

• Example: “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind” (Blowin’ in the Wind)—a metaphor suggesting that truth and justice are elusive yet ever-present.

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2)Influence from Literary Traditions

• Dylan was heavily influenced by the Beat poets (Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac), the Romantic poets (Blake, Rimbaud), and folk storytelling traditions.

• His lyrics often draw on biblical, historical, and literary references, similar to high literary poetry.

3)Existential and Social Themes

• Just like literary greats, Dylan’s work explores existential questions, human struggles, politics, and social justice.

• Example: A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall is filled with surreal and apocalyptic imagery, much like T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land.

4)Complex and Layered Meaning

• Many of Dylan’s lyrics work on multiple levels—literal, symbolic, and philosophical.

• Example: “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows” (Subterranean Homesick Blues)—a commentary on changing political climates.

Comparison to Traditional Poetry

Just as Robert Frost wrote poetry in accessible language but with deep philosophical undertones, Dylan’s lyrics work the same way.

Dylan’s works often tell stories, much like the ballads and narrative poems of classical literature.

Conclusion

Bob Dylan’s works are undeniably poetic and deserve literary recognition. While his primary medium is songwriting, his lyrics stand on their own as lyrical poetry, much like the oral traditions of Homeric epics or Shakespearean ballads. His Nobel Prize win highlights how literature is evolving to include forms beyond traditional books, acknowledging the literary power of songwriting as a form of poetic expression.

#Compare and contrast Robert Frost and Bob Dylan. How do they differ in their style of writing? What are the similarities in their songs?

Differences in Writing Style

Aspect	Robert Frost	Bob Dylan
Medium	Traditional poetry	Songwriting (lyrics + music)
Form & Structure	Highly structured with formal meter and rhyme schemes (e.g., blank verse, iambic pentameter)	Free-flowing, often influenced by folk, blues, and rock rhythms
Themes	Nature, rural life, individual choices, existential dilemmas	Protest, politics, social issues, personal introspection
Tone	Reflective, philosophical, sometimes nostalgic or melancholic	Sharp, rebellious, cryptic, sometimes surreal

Similarities in Themes and Approach

1. Storytelling & Narrative

Frost’s The Road Not Taken tells a simple but profound story about choices and consequences. Similarly, Dylan’s Tangled Up in Blue unfolds a fragmented narrative of love and loss.

2. Philosophical Undertones

Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening meditates on life’s journey and mortality. Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door explores similar existential concerns.

3. Social Commentary

Dylan’s The Times They Are A-Changin’ is a direct call for social change, much like Frost’s Mending Wall, which critiques the arbitrary divisions people create.

Both use vivid imagery and simple yet profound language to convey complex themes, making their works accessible yet deeply meaningful.

#Share some lines of any songs from Movies, Poems, or any type of music which reminds you of the themes of songs by Bob Dylan and poems by Robert Frost.

1)From “Let It Be” (The Beatles):

“When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.”

This reflects Dylan’s approach to introspection and finding meaning in hardship, similar to Frost’s contemplation of life’s challenges.

2)From “Blowin’ in the Wind” (Bob Dylan):

“Yes, and how many years can some people exist before they're allowed to be free?”

The song’s rhetorical questioning aligns with Frost’s approach in Mending Wall, where he questions societal norms.

3)From “Nothing Else Matters” (Metallica)

“Life is ours, we live it our way.”

This echoes Frost’s The Road Not Taken, emphasizing individuality and personal choice.

4)From the movie Dead Poets Society

 (quoting Whitman):

“O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done.”

Like Dylan and Frost, this line merges poetic beauty with reflection on leadership, change, and loss.

 

#Both Dylan and Frost employ storytelling technique to discuss philosophical ideas as well as to provide socio-cultural commentary. Discuss some of their notable works in which this element plays a major role in understanding the text.

Both Dylan and Frost use storytelling techniques to explore philosophical dilemmas and provide cultural commentary. Their narratives often follow simple structures but reveal deeper meanings upon closer analysis.

Robert Frost’s Works

1. “The Road Not Taken”

On the surface, it is about choosing a path in the woods, but metaphorically, it explores life choices, regrets, and individuality.

2. “Mending Wall”

Uses the image of neighbors rebuilding a wall to question tradition, boundaries, and societal divisions.

3. “Out, Out—”

A tragic story about a boy’s accidental death, reflecting on the fragility of life and human indifference to suffering.

Bob Dylan’s Works

1. “Hurricane”

A protest song narrating the story of Rubin Carter, a boxer wrongfully imprisoned, highlighting racial injustice in America.

2. “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall”

Uses surreal storytelling to depict a post-apocalyptic world, metaphorically warning about nuclear war and environmental destruction.

3. “Tangled Up in Blue”

A deeply personal yet universal story about love, loss, and the passage of time, much like Frost’s reflections on life’s unpredictability.

Both writers use their storytelling skills to engage audiences while provoking deep reflection on personal and societal issues. Their works resonate across generations because they present simple images and narratives that reveal deeper, universal truths.

Conclusion: 

While Frost and Dylan operate in different mediums, they share a common approach to storytelling, philosophy, and social critique. The debate over Dylan’s Nobel Prize underscores a broader discussion of what constitutes literature in the modern age. Dylan’s influence on culture is undeniable, much like Frost’s impact on American poetry. Both have used their art to question, inspire, and shape the way people view the world.

References : 

Academy of American Poets. “Robert Frost.” Poets.org, www.poets.org/poet/robert-frost . Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

Kakutani, Michiko. “Bob Dylan Wins Nobel Prize, Redefining Boundaries of Literature.” The New York Times, 13 Oct. 2016, www.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/arts/music/bob-dylan-nobel-prize-literature.html.

The Nobel Prize. “The Nobel Prize in Literature 2016: Bob Dylan.” NobelPrize.org, www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/2016/dylan/facts/ . Accessed 5 Mar. 2025