Richard's Verbal Analysis
Ivor Armstrong Richards
Ivor Armstrong Richards is one of those great critics of the modern age who have exercised considerable influence on both sides of the Atlantic . T.S . Eliot and I.A. Richards are considered the stalwarts of new criticism . Even if both the pioneers they differ from each other in certain important respects.
A study of his the practical criticism and a study of literary judgement reveals that I A Richard's seems to be a staunch advocate of a close textural and Verbal study and analysis of a work of art. His approach seems to be more pragmatic and empirical.
The Importance of Words
Richards concerns are mainly focused on textual and Verbal Analysis a close study of his works practical criticism and the meaning of the meaning according to him works carry four types of meaning
- Sense
- Feeling
- Tone
- Intentions.
Analysis of the Lyrics
It can be surely said that this song seems to be about people who have been very mean to the lyricist because of the persona I we get to know for the first time in the sixth line of the song .
Calling me out when I m wounded
The song seems to be open up with an alarming remark and the simple word you become a harsh you which gives the feeling of strangeness and guilt . The opening seeks to harm the mean people .
The very first line suggest a simile where the words are compared with knives normally the word 'word ' provides a sense of pleasing expression but here it becomes an expression for the domineering people .
Richards suggests four types of misunderstanding in a poem among which the second one is
Prosaic Reading
The prosaic Reading of the second and third lines suggests the feeling of someone has used the sword and weapons against the persona and the very image of blood comes to our mind but the image to blood and wounds is soon replaced by the phrase knocked me off my feet a sense of overwhelming so hashing and emotionally gets cleared
Further the metaphor for emotional bullying is swords and weapons which gets its established meaning in song in the next line . The mean person's voice is compared with nails on a chak board which delivers the shivering discomfort of the unpleasant noise .
The word are so powerful that it seems to destroy the mental happiness of someone .
The lyrics than takes turn and asks why you are so mean ? This seems to be a highly personal addressal of lyricist when the words speak -
Some day I will be living in a big old city
And all you 're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I 'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you 're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean ?
