John Lennon Imagine Rhetorical Analysis

Rhetorical Analysis of “Imagine” The song “Imagine” was written by John Lennon in 1971. John Lennon was a former guitarist in the legendary band, The Beatles. He then came out with his own song that soon became one of the most famous tunes in all of history. The song was written to give the world a more hopeful perspective during a troublesome time instigating a revolution of anti-war movements. The song “Imagine” was written by John Lennon in 1971 to persuade the audience to imagine a world of peace during a time when the world was filled with war. During the year of 1971, the world was dealing with a great deal of war and violence. This was the time of the Vietnam War, the Cold War between the United States and the USSR, the Ind-Pakistani War creating a dark time in Pakistan during 1971, as well as a war ending in South Asia followed by the establishment of the Sovereign Nations in Bangladesh. During all of these troubles, the world was also filled with a great deal of racial discrimination. Although most of the world was involved in wars and strife, John Lennon decides to write an uplifting song that creates a setting without the struggles of man that lead to violence and giving a whole new perspective to the people that needed it. The song “Imagine” asks the listener to imagine a world of peace. The main argument this song represents is that if we can picture a world without any reason for violence then maybe we can begin achieve it. John Lennon implies protest with his song by asking the listener to picture a world without religion, possessions, countries, or any other reason for violence. “Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for and no religion, too. Imagine all the people living life in peace.” This part of the song implies protest by asking the audience to imagine a world living as one, without countries or religion to cause any racial discrimination. A slow rhythm made by a piano introduces the song with a soothing tone. The lyrics ask you to imagine a world with no heaven or hell and then to imagine all the people living for today. The music transitions to a more upbeat tone by introducing drums after this verse in the song. There is also a repetition with the piano beats and the lyrics. When the lyrics asks the audience to imagine something, the piano beat repeats to the slow, soft tempo that was in the beginning. The music and the lyrics work together to create an optimistic yet soft, soothing tone.