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HISTORICAL CONTEXT LESSONHistorical context is the political, social, cultural, and economic setting for a particular event or novel. In order to better understand something in history, we must look at its context--those things which surround it in time and place and which give it its meaning. In essence – it enhances our understanding of the novel.Example: “Rockin In The Free World” by Neil Young1. Do Now:What mood does this song title convey? Topic?It sounds like this song is celebrating America!2. SEE SONG LYRICS BELOW. READ THEM. ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW IT. - Official Video: / highlight what the song is about.Answer questions on the back. Review.How can we apply historical context for this? How can understanding the political / social / economic environment when Neil Young wrote it ENHANCE our understanding of it?AFTER YOU ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW THE SONG, LOOK AT THE 1980’S HISTORICAL CONTEXT SURROUNDING THE SONG (WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN):President Bush Sr.’s innaugral address had a pledge to create a passionate citizenry volunteering to help with society’s ills. He said the “thousand points of light” symbolizes the shining American spirit helping neighbor and brother. Bush also stated that the country could help each other with a “kindler, gentler hand.”Homelessness and drug abuse were problems on the 80’s including a crack epidemic – “she’s gonna take a hit.”Reganomics:Massive tax cuts for the wealthiestLed to huge federal deficits, exploding unemployment, social decay particularly in large urban areasReverend Jesse Jackson – had a signature phrase “keep hope alive.” Why does Neil Young quote Bush and Jackson? Could he be saying that their “feel good slogans have little results to show?” Now, after carefully looking at the HISTORICAL CONTEXT, we see the song for what it truly is – a protest song and NOT the iconic anthem it is known for. SUMMARY OF LESSONHistory frames a context around art. From carefully / closely looking at the background (what was happening economically, politically, socially) during which this song was written we gain a better understanding of it. We will examine the historical context of each novel / play we read.NAME:HISTORICAL CONTEXTCPT FETTERMAN43180004445000PERIOD:DATE:Historical context: Historical context refers to the moods, attitudes, and conditions that existed in the time literature is written. Context is the "setting" for an event that occurs, and it will have an impact on the relevance of the event. Context is an important factor to examine as you begin to read a novel, because understanding its context can ENHANCE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE NOVEL AND ITS THEMES. Songs can work the same way. We will use the song below to demonstrate how understanding its historical context can enhance our understanding of the song and its themes. As you listen to the song, circle words and phrases you think are important. "Keep On Rockin' In The Free World"by Neil YoungThere's colors on the streetRed, white and bluePeople shufflin' their feetPeople sleepin' in their shoesBut there's a warnin' signon the road aheadThere's a lot of people sayin'we'd be better off deadDon't feel like Satan,but I am to themSo I try to forget it,any way I can.Keep on rockin' in the free world, (4 X)I see a woman in the nightWith a baby in her handUnder an old street lightNear a garbage canNow she puts the kid away,and she's gone to get a hitShe hates her life,and what she's done to itThere's one more kidthat will never go to schoolNever get to fall in love,never get to be cool.Keep on rockin' in the free world,Keep on rockin' in the free worldKeep on rockin' in the free world,Keep on rockin' in the free world.We got a thousand points of lightFor the homeless manWe got a kinder, gentler,Machine gun handWe got department storesand toilet paperGot styrofoam boxesfor the ozone layerGot a man of the people,says keep hope aliveGot fuel to burn,got roads to drive.Keep on rockin' in the free world,Keep on rockin' in the free worldKeep on rockin' in the free world,Keep on rockin' in the free world.PLEASE PUT ANSWERS ON SEPARATE SCRATCH PAPERHow does this song make you feel? How would you describe the tone / mood of the song?What issues, problems, or events are presented in the song? Do any of the events, issues, or conclusions concern America today? Is this song a celebration of democracy or does it protest democracy? Refer to some specific words/lines to support your answer. Be as specific as you can. Analysis of "Rockin' In The Free World" lyrics by Neil Youngby Thrasher The song is prominent in director Michael Moore's film 'Fahrenheit 9/11' where "Rockin' in the Free World" runs over the closing credits. A re-release of the song and a new music video directed by Moore is scheduled for the Summer of 2004. (See more below on the film and song.) The newspaper USA Today has called the song: "a savage attack on the policies of Ronald Reagan and the first President Bush ... (and) anything but a celebration of democracy." On the contrary, a strong case can be made that the song is NOT "anything but a celebration of democracy." In fact, an argument can be made that the song is very pro-democracy and is a protest song that has advanced the argument about inequities in society. The song is clearly the work of someone who could be called a courageous patriot. The song's lyrics contain the lines: We got a thousand points of lightFor the homeless manWe got a kinder, gentler,Machine gun handThe lyrics are a direct reference to President George Bush's (#41) campaign pledge to create a compassionate citizenry volunteering to help cope with society's ills. The "thousand points of light" symbolize the American citizen's spirit and a shining example of giving selflessly to care for one another's neighbor and brother. Along with "a kinder, gentler hand", Bush believed that each American could contribute to helping make the United States -- and the world -- a better place live and work. The song is strongly democratic and with pro-American ideals in that it is a condemnation of the supply-side/trickle down politics of President Ronald Reagan. "Reaganomics" involved massive tax cuts in the wealthiest brackets which supporters claimed would trickle down to lower brackets. In fact, the policies led to huge federal deficits and exploding unemployment and social decay, particularly in large urban American cities. The economic realities of the 1980's with increasing social problems -- such as homelessness and drug abuse -- made Young mock the campaign promises of President Bush as hollow rhetoric. The drug problems ("she's gonna take a hit") refer to the crack epidemic which swept large American cities during the 1980's. The lyrics of "Rockin' In The Free World" also refer to the rampant consumerism of American culture and the rise of the disposable society based on waste and pollution. We got department stores and toilet paperGot styrofoam boxes for the ozone layerGot a man of the people, says keep hope aliveGot fuel to burn, got roads to drive.The lyrics "Got a man of the people, says keep hope alive" refer to the Reverand Jesse Jackson's signature phrase to "Keep hope alive." Young contrasts President Bush's rhetoric and Rev. Jackson's as solutions to society's ills, when in actuality, they are nothing more than "feel good" slogans with little results to show. "Rockin' In The Free World" was first performed live in concert on February 21, 1989 at the Paramount Theater, Seattle, WA with Neil Young's band The Restless. Since then, the song has been performed 368 times through the Greendale tour's conclusion on March 21, 2004 at the Mullins Center in Amherst, MA according to The Neil Young Tour Statistics page. ................
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