Music and poetry can be analysed to discover themes, ideas, issues, concerns, beliefs, values, etc, that are prominent for a particular society and time in history. During the Vietnam War, and since it ended, music has played a powerful role in expressing feelings and points of view about what was happening. By considering the songs of this time alongside the poetry of Dear America we can gain a deeper understanding of the themes and ideas explored by the text. This will give us stronger personal perspectives of the Vietnam War which will help us to analyse the text with depth.
The war in pop songs.
1. Find the lyrics to a pop song from the Vietnam era that refers to the war. In a post to this page, use links and embedding html codes to share the lyrics and a recording of the song. Then discuss the song: What is its message? Does it simply express an opinion about the war, or does it also call on listeners to take some action? What sorts of reactions might different people (such as a young person eligible to be drafted, a soldier serving in Vietnam, or the parent of such a soldier) have to the song?
2. Consider the poems featured in Dear America. Find one that relates to the song you have analysed and explain the correlations between the two. Why has Edelman included this poem in Dear America? What impact do you think he wishes its inclusion to have on the reader? (The poetry in Dear America can make a strong discussion point in an essay. It demonstrates a close reading of the text that considers the literary devices Edelman has employed. If you respond to an essay question that asks you to consider the various features/elements of the text, the poetry should not be overlooked).
(source: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/tguide/index.html)
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