Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Close reading of "The Trees" by Rush

So I decided to do my close reading on the song "The Trees" by Rush. I'm not sure if any of you out there have heard this song before or not, but its quite good. It is about the taller trees in the society a.k.a. the upper class blocking out the sunlight for the shorter trees in the society a.k.a. the lower class. The lower class trees feel they are being robbed of their sunlight and "scream oppression!" The taller trees claim they cant help if they like the way they're made. This is essentially the everlasting clash between the rich upper class and the poor lower class.

I feel this is a very good text to analyze due to its political undertones and general theme of equality throughout. I feel that close reading while it is very useful and generally enlightening, it should not be needed to understand what the author is trying to say. If the author relies on just the smart, close reading section of society to close read his or her work to understand what the work is trying to say, then they will not become nearly as popular as they could be. I authors should strive to write their stories in a way that regular people reading for leisure can understand the basic plot and theme, and also have things hidden for close readers to find and giggle to themselves about how smart they think they are.

I would also like to add that i am by no means a professional close reader or summarizer, and the previous summeries/close readings may or may not be accurate.

4 comments:

Ollie said...

Wow Jimmy, you really have a knack for reading in dept. This is a really great song. and what movie son?

Jeff White said...

Dude, I love Rush! Neil Peart's lyrics are so well layered when it comes to conveying both a story and a moral. Good choice, and well said.

Justin G said...

thats really cool, I'll have to listen to that song sometimes. I thought it was neat that you related it to upper class and lower class society, maybe the trees have something to do with it.

Anthony Mystery said...

it is a very common idea that is shared throughout the lower classes. and i do think you are becoming an excellent close reader!!! 3 cheers for Jimmy. HIP HIP