Bob Dylan poetry

Poetry Explication ISU: I Am A Lonesome Hobo-BOB DYLAN
Speaker’s Point of View The speaker in this poem is a man who has gone through troubles in his life and is now reminiscing on past experiences. He says that he was once “rather prosperous” (9), however, after making many wrong decisions, he is led to his “fatal doom” (15). He becomes a homeless person, living alone on the streets. He did not trust anyone while he was a successful man, “I did not trust my brother”. He admits that he has done wrong, “I have tried my hand at bribery / blackmail and deceit” (5-6). He learns from his past that there are aspects in his life that could have gone down a better road. He realizes that his decisions through life have not been as good as they could have been. The speaker seems to want to help teach others using his own life’s story:
Stay free from petty jealousies
Live by no man's code
And hold your judgement for yourself
Lest you wind up on his road. (21-24) The speaker feels that since he knows that these mistakes he has made are preventable, he should “warn” others not to do what he has done. The speaker’s attitude is shown because he clearly states that “Where another man’s life might begin / That’s exactly where mine ends” (3-4). He is clearly unhappy that his life has gone in this direction. Also his sadness with this lifestyle is shown simply in the title, “I am a lonesome hobo” (1).
Figurative Language The author uses figurative language throughout this poem. He uses metaphors, hyperboles, and assonance. The author uses metaphors to describe the situation he is currently in. A metaphor that he uses is “I am a lonesome hobo” (1). This is a metaphor because he is not literally a homeless person but the metaphor implies that he is. The author means that the speaker has lost everything meaningful to him (ie: “family and friends” (2)), and all his riches (“fourteen-karat gold in my mouth / And silk upon my back (11-12)). This metaphor helps the reader to understand what the speaker sees his life as and sets the mood of the poem. The author uses hyperboles when describing his future and current positions in life. One hyperbole is used when he says, “Where another man’s life might begin / That’s exactly where mine ends” (3-4). He makes it seem as though his life has come to its complete and final end. Another example of a hyperbole is used when the speaker says his mistakes have led him to his “fatal doom” (15). A fatal doom would be a sure description of death, yet the speaker is still living. The hyperboles used in this poem make a clear reference to the speaker’s feelings and concerns and also helps set the poem’s mood. Assonance is also used in the poem. In the following line, the “o” and “ou” sounds are repeated, “And hold your judgement for yourself” (23). The use of assonance in this line helps to join together the entire phrase and make the words sound more meaningful. The figurative language used in this selection brings the whole poem together and makes the poem more fluid.
Versification
Poetry is a method of writing used to express thoughts, ideas or even to tell a story. The writer in this poem uses a rhyme scheme (a b c b d e f e) to relay his tale. The poem consists of three stanzas, each having eight lines. The sentences vary in length in each stanza and contain different amounts of syllables per line. The poet uses true rhymes at the end of the second and fourth lines and the sixth and eight lines of every stanza. The poem is completely written in the first person narrative. The writer is using a style similar to that of a ballad, however, the last line in each stanza in a ballad is the same where in this poem it is not. In the first stanza, the speaker is telling a story of how he got into his present state. The words that he has chosen explain how he has lost all the important things in his life. The speaker expresses the pain he feels causing him to be depressed. “Where another man’s life might begin / That’s exactly where mine ends” (3-4). The poet uses the second stanza to explain his life in the past and the process of how he got here. His choice of words makes it easier to comprehend the reason behind his depression.
But I did not trust my brother
I carried him to blame
Which led me to my fatal doom
To wander off in shame (13-16)

In the third stanza, the speaker is advising others not to make the same mistakes that he did. He is warning others what will happen if they do not change their ways.
Stay free from petty jealousies
Live by no man’s code
And hold your judgement for yourself
Lest you wind up on this road (21-24)

Theme The message that is being communicated through this poem is that everyone should look after what they have and live life on the right path, because if people don’t, one day everything they care about might be gone. It is understood in this poem that when one has no “trust” (13), and has “petty jealousies” (21) they could easily become misguided and lose sight of the important things in life: “family and friends” (2), and also monetary possessions, “fourteen-karat gold in my mouth / And silk upon my back (11-12). It is understood that at one point in his life, the speaker was “prosperous” (9), however, now he has lost it all, “Which has led me to my fatal doom” (15). The attitude of the poem gives the reader the impression that the speaker is going through depression. The method of writing used by this poet explains the main reasons why humanity as a whole suffers despair. As Christians we are taught of brotherly love and trust, in this poem, clearly both of these ideals have been lost. The speaker is telling readers not to be picky about the little things in life; instead one should focus on the big picture. Live life to the fullest, concentrate on positive attitudes and actions, “And hold your judgement for yourself” (23)