Fred Jones, Part Ll By Ben Folds: Poem Analysis

“Fred Jones, Part ll” by Ben Folds literally tells the story of a man who is dismissed from his job. However, the song’s poetic devices reveal a much deeper meaning: Time catches up with everyone. Viewed as a narrative, the song follows Fred Jones, who is let go from working at a newspaper, as he reflects on his life. This provides the basis for the song’s message, which emerges through similes, repetition, and connotation. The simile, “Life barrels on like a runaway train,” perfectly illustrates the effect of time. Through this comparison, Folds establishes that just like a train, time cannot be stopped. Mr. Jones reinforces this idea when he nostalgically recounts that, “Life has been good.” At this moment, he realizes that the life he