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HomePsychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journalvol. 34 no. 3 (2025)

A Semiological and Stylistical Study on Bob Dylan’s Songs

Jun Rlly Salas | Roque Bongcac

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

The use of language in the structure of literary works can be something so unique. Language is increasingly developing and does not die when it is in the structure of literary works, because literary works are unique by producing various meaning. This study aimed to extract the signs and their significations present in the selected songs of Bob Dylan using document analysis. Specifically, it also sought the stylistic or linguistic devices used to present or portray the sign in the songs under study and the central theme or the overall message of the songs. Each of the sign involved in the songs has a specific role to portray and were carefully chosen by the author to produce and convey his message across to his listeners. all the signs help to convey and portray the different messages and themes to understand the social representation of Bob Dylan toward reality. The signs and their respective signification allowed the listeners to understand the lyrics and the overall meaning of the song. The use of stylistic or linguistic devices are very evident in the songs under study. The devices used were a great tool to layout and express Dylan’s opinions and criticisms about the different societal topics through his songs’ lyrics. The three songs under study all tackles social criticism but each of the songs have different central theme and overall message. Each of the linguistic and stylistic devices presented the signs in each of the songs to correspond to the overall messages of the songs. Each of the signs used by Dylan and how he presented them using a specific device made it more encouraging to the listener to make connections to the deeper messages and meaning of his works creating a connection and relative memorable experience.



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