History, Lyrics, Text: A New Historicist Analysis of Bob Dylan’s “The Death of Emmett Till”
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64583/adqsx540Keywords:
Bob Dylan; “The Death of Emmett Till”; racial oppression; Civil Rights MovementAbstract
Bob Dylan’s song “The Death of Emmett Till” is not only an artistic portrayal of the 1955 Emmett Till tragedy but also an important work for analyzing racial issues in America from a new historicist view. Through its lyrics and melody, the song vividly tells the story of the Till case, highlighting the oppression of African Americans under Southern white supremacy and Jim Crow laws. Its widespread interpretation has played a key role in advancing the Civil Rights Movement, raising public awareness and prompting reflection on racial inequality. It highlights the song’s dual role as both a historical record and an active part in shaping history. In the context of the “Black Lives Matter” movement, “The Death of Emmett Till” has been shared, reinterpreted, and reproduced, becoming a key cultural symbol for addressing racial injustice. Its influence goes beyond time and continues to impact ongoing discussions about racial issues.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Yueni Yang, Junru Xiang (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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