What Does Not Afraid Mean

Eminem’s “Not Afraid”: An Intimate Pledge Eminem writes and performs “Not Afraid” for a long-time fan base that has followed him through various evolutions over several years. The lyrics of the song form a message laid out throughout a progression of verses and a repeated chorus that summarizes the overall tone of the piece. The tone of the song being a uplifting invitation to overcome demons and to improve. Throughout the piece vulgarities, metaphors, and moments of vulnerability are employed to tell the story. That story; to admit his prior addiction, pledge to carry on to a higher standard, and to hopefully uplift others with as much. To tell his story Eminem uses several techniques to artfully convey his message. Like most songs, “Not Afraid” uses repetition with its chorus for effect, mainly to set the tone. We also see the use of simile when Eminem relates “My world, haters can make like bees with no stingers, and drop dead” (Eminem, Verse 3). To Eminem those who negatively strike at him have no more effect then a dead bee. Similarly, Eminem extensively relies on metaphors to communicate.
To even an audience that expects a certain level of vulgarity, some of Eminem’s lyrics such as “Until he bows out or he shits his bowels out of him” can be shocking (Verse 1). The effect of this is tri-fold; to capture attention, convey a disregard to convention, and to evoke a response. Another way that Eminem evokes a response with the listener is the utter honesty in which he divulges his weaknesses. Particularly his addiction, “It was my decision to get clean…” (Verse 3). In a music genre that is known and expected to be tough and masculine, Eminem makes it a point to expose this element of