SING ME A STORY: Comparative Studies of Music and Literature (JUNIORS ONLY)

"Music can propel narrative swifly forward, or slow it down.  It often lifts mere dialogue into the realm of poetry.  It is the communicating link between the screen and the audience; the heart and the page.  It reaches out and envelopes all into one single experience." -Film Composer, Bernard Herrmann (famous for his many musical contributions in films, including Psycho, Citizen Kane, and Taxi Driver)

The best stories are those that, through a beautiful blending of words and phrases, can engage all of our senses as readers. The more senses that are stimulated, the more connected we feel.  We not only relate to a story and its characters, but we are moved by them, as well.

The best songs?  Well, they do the same thing!  Music can convey a story or a moment in a way that makes us feel connected to it on a deep, visceral level.  This is why the right song in the right moment can lift us up, or reduce us to a tearful, heartbroken mess.

Music and literature have long been intertwined.  Songs have inspired authors and authors have inspired musicians, sometimes directly and sometimes thematically.  We are, after all, both moved and driven by stories--they inspire us in a way that transcends our cultures and experiences.  It seems that stories define our very nature; they connect us via a sort of "collective unconsciousness" (Joseph Campbell).  So, it only makes sense that we can find connections between the stories we sing and the stories we read on the page. 

Last week, we listened to Marc Cohn's "True Companion" and compared it to a chunk of text from the conclusion of Brontë's Jane Eyre.  It related very well to that chapter 38, but I think there are probably many other excerpts in the novel text relating to both Rochester and Jane that could connect.  Notably, both Cohn and Brontë challenged the genre conventions and status quo of their craft and their time when it comes to the perceptions of women in their respective societies and cultures: Brontë, through her characterization of Jane and Rochester and Cohn, through his refusal to objectify the unnamed woman and love interest in his song.  They are both, in this way, refreshing and original.  Their words are also beautifully intense, ardent, and inspired by the Romanticist movement and philosophy.

As we begin considering pairings of literary and non-literary texts for our IO, it is important not only to consider and compare the merits and messages of texts in light of each other but also through the lens of greater global issues; we go beyond the "what does it say" and "what does it mean," and venture into the "Why does this matter?"  We must also consider not only a single song in light of a novel, but also the style and voice of Cohn in comparison to Brontë's through an examination of his other work, as well. 

Here, I have links to songs by Cohn to help you get a sense of not only of his works but his voice; you can begin to see that not only are the messages of Brontë's Jane Eyre connected to the messages of "True Companion" as a single song here, but also the philosophy and perspectives and, yes, even the voices of the 21st century songwriter and the 19th century novelist are sympatico when considering a larger body of his work. 

The IB has presented for us five "fields of inquiry" from which you each as scholars can identify a more focused and detailed global issue.  These fields or categories are:
1.  Culture, Identity, and Community
2.  Beliefs, Values, and Education
3.  Politics, Power, and Justice
4.  Art, Creativity, and Imagination
5.  Science, Technology, and Environment

As you listen to the music of Marc Cohn, consider first which 30-40 line text from Jane Eyre you would compare "True Companion" to, and then how "True Companion" and your selected Jane Eyre excerpt might connect via one of these lenses.  In other words, what larger global issues within one of these five classifications might these pieces of text might be shedding light on?  You might just have the beginnings of your Individual Oral!

Now, in your blog commentary, specifically share your analysis/evaluation of Marc Cohn's voice, style, and themes within these five songs.  Then, tell me your favorite, and why.  Here are your links: 

"Walking in Memphis" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgRafRp-P-o 

"Silver Thunderbird" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-JZFxpuEnw

"Man of the World"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjaNMv97tCI

"One Safe Place" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FcVG5uOCKk

"True Companion" (our comparative focus) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSefJjHYDmk

WORDS ARE LIFE...

"Don't get upset by what he said.  They're only words." 

 Does this statement, or any close variation of it sound familiar to you?  How many of you embrace it as your own philosophy?  How many of you would like to give the speaker a nice, firm sock in the arm?  Well, I am going to start this post here by making a bold statement.  Here it goes: Whether you acknowledge it to be true or not, your words have power.  Lots of it.  You may not feel very powerful when you utter them, but they are, as the great English proverb tells us, "Mightier than the sword."

Now, allow me to explain and expand.  For some, the words of others don't sting as much as they will for others, but whether you are tough as nails or a marshmallow when it comes to matters of the heart, those to whom you communicate may not fall into your same category.

For this reason, being a thoughtful, empathetic, yet clear communicator is a precious skill--especially for those of you who plan to be in any form of upper management.  The best leaders in any industry got there because they knew how to communicate.  They were aware of the great power of their words, and they used that power with skill and wisdom.

If not everyone receives the same words in the same spirit, then how do we become astute at the great art of communication?  Well, the answer is in the question:  it is an art, so we practice.  We test the waters.  Observe more than just verbal communication/language.  We communicate who we are to others in many different ways and within many unique nuances.  Reading people --really taking the time and presence of mind to actively listen to not just what they say but how they say it--can really tell you a lot.

In year one and year two of the IB Language and Literature, Diploma Program, we have already done a lot of communicating with one another in various groups and partnerships, as well as all together on our blog.  As Markus Zusak wrote in his masterpiece, The Book Thief, "words are life," figuratively and quite literally.  We see this to be true for our protagonist Jane in Jane Eyre as people's words to her and about her (positive, and negative) have greatly shaped her still stabilizing identity.  We very CLEARLY see how people's words have carved away pieces of Mariam's identity in A Thousand Splendid Suns.  Combinations of letters create words, the arrangement of words create sentences, these sentences convey meaning.  What the recipient does with that meaning--how they deconstruct it--builds and tears down elements of their very character.  That's power!

This year, you will continue to have many opportunities to observe and learn from each other's communication styles, and practice wielding your language "sword."  The spoken and written word both have their moment on the world's stage, and whether their influence is felt on a small or large scale, it is a moment that carries power for the listener: a moment in the ears can lead to a lifetime on the heart.  In his novel The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfus writes: "Words can light fires in the minds of men; words can wring tears from the hardest hearts."  See?  I'm not the only literary person to make those bold statements.

In the link below, you will have the opportunity to read Cat Thompson's article, The Power of Language.  Read through it, maybe even commit some of it to memory as a resource to use when you communicate.  See what happens!

You are powerful.  Whether written or spoken, your words carry the power to build someone up and bring life, or tear them down and bring death.

Just like that mighty sword the English were talking about.

Directions for your response post:
1.  Read the short article:  https://experiencelife.com/article/the-power-of-language/  Then, reflect on what you learned, and what most resonates with you on the topic.  
2.  Go through the quotes below about words and their power.  Pick a favorite, type it up in your post, and write about why it was your favorite.  I would LOVE to hear your thoughts...in your own words.

Quotes about language/words: 
The idea that language has great power is nothing new!  Even though our modern society is much more sensitized and defensive in nature (we seem to have lost the art to debate and replaced it with the great art of mudslinging in the public arena), in ancient times and during the Renaissance, the power of our language was acknowledged.  Here are a few famous quotes, including those collected from Proverbs in the Bible and the great bard, Shakespeare, himself...