Brief Commentary on "A Boy Named Sue" by Shel Silverstein
Look, I like Shel as much as the next guy, and maybe it's just me, but if Sue was really that upset, why didn't he go ahead and change his fucking name?
Right. And I know I'm taking it all too seriously. But again, I don't want to underestimate the influence on behavioral norms of songs, aphorisms, books and movies. "Some gal would giggle and I'd get red And some guy'd laugh and I'd bust his head" Is that really the life you want to live? There are all kinds of situations and characteristics both temporary and permanent which may lead to ridicule or torment. "Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean, My fist got hard and my wits got keen," Now that's a choice isn't it? And I question exactly how keen witted he could be if he's continually defending his honor with violent acts. And what happens when he doesn't prevail? When his skull is cracked in an alley? When he's in jail? So easy to follow a narrative and see only what the writer wishes us to see. Taken metaphorically, thinking of all the possible burdens a father may place on a son, what are the possible behavioral outcomes? How much do you want to be testosterone fueled?
"I got all choked up and I threw down my gun" Is this an affirmation of non-violence?
"And I think about him, now and then, Every time I try and every time I win," I don't know what this means.
Right. And I know I'm taking it all too seriously. But again, I don't want to underestimate the influence on behavioral norms of songs, aphorisms, books and movies.
ReplyDelete"Some gal would giggle and I'd get red
And some guy'd laugh and I'd bust his head"
Is that really the life you want to live?
There are all kinds of situations and characteristics both temporary and permanent which may lead to ridicule or torment.
"Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean,
My fist got hard and my wits got keen,"
Now that's a choice isn't it? And I question exactly how keen witted he could be if he's continually defending his honor with violent acts. And what happens when he doesn't prevail? When his skull is cracked in an alley? When he's in jail? So easy to follow a narrative and see only what the writer wishes us to see.
Taken metaphorically, thinking of all the possible burdens a father may place on a son, what are the possible behavioral outcomes? How much do you want to be testosterone fueled?
"I got all choked up and I threw down my gun"
Is this an affirmation of non-violence?
"And I think about him, now and then,
Every time I try and every time I win,"
I don't know what this means.