The boxer - Simon and Garfunkel
Title
Title: “Boxer”. Give association to a fighter, someone who does not give up, and stands strong after he has been defeated. The title refers to a literal person, but the title can also refer to something abstract, like strength etc. The title links to the poem, because he uses the boxer as a metaphor and a symbol for understanding the whole lyric. (Refer, fighter – will – strength - courage) Settings Both past a present. He looks back. Both past and present. He looks back. The poem takes place in actual physical places (New York), but also in his mind. He is thinking about places he has been wandering. There is a development in time from present to past to present. There is a link between the two times, because they lead us to the closure that tells us that he still remains. The setting has a significant meaning associated with the poem. The settings are negative, because as a reader we get the impression that he went through a lot (if it took place at upper east side, you would get a other angle of the song) Speaker/Voice 1st person singular and 3rd – refers to another person than himself The speaker goes through a lot of bad experiences, and in the last verse he realizes that he is still here, and has been working his way through the pain. The speaker has a melancholic and proud attitude to the song, as if he is proud of what he has been through as he looks back. Characters Two characters. Probably the same, but the 1st person refers to another person He is a fighter – he has got strength and will. The main character does not represent anything but the “boxer” represents the metaphor of strength in the main character Composition 8 stanzas (including chorus) 33 lines total (excluding chorus) Lines vary, from 6 to 8 lines pr. stanza. There is a climax at the last verse, because this is where we get an understanding of the rest the song. The last verse is affecting the other stanzas to a different meaning. Language and style / Poetic devices The language is both abstract and concrete, and relatively formal. Metaphors are used frequently, but the poem still has a concrete and literal side to it. The metaphor is the fighter, who still remains after going through obstacles and it is a symbol for strength, will and courage. The metaphor in the song affects the reader, because it is used to understand the characters development in the song. Theme(s) and Message The title definitely relates to the rest of the song. From being a poor helpless boy, to being a strong BOXER! the songs message is to give the listener a view of the poor people who struggle to survive the city life circumstances, and how they “fight” their way through the obstacles. Music analysis the song is composed in minor; this gives the listener the sense that it is a sad song. The end music compliments the text (that he is a fighter). In the chorus the loud snare symbolises strength of the character. The story is spread across the song and the music supports this development very well. |