Rhetorical Analysis of Jack Johnson’s “Gone”

1. Rhetorical Analysis of Jack Johnson’s “Gone” SOAPSTONE and Rhetoric and the Reader Rebecca McKee Hernandez AP Language 06/27/11

2. Reading 2.5 • Extend ideas presented in primary or secondary sources through original analysis, evaluation, and elaboration Reading 2.8 • Evaluate the credibility of an author’s argument or defense of a claim by critiquing the relationship between generalizations and evidence… and the way in which the author’s intent affects the structure and tone of a text Literary Response and Analysis 3.9 • Explain how voice, persona, and the choice of narrator affect characterization and the tone, plot, and credibility of a text Literary Response and Analysis 3.11 • Evaluate the aesthetic qualities of style, including the impact of diction and figurative language on tone, mood, and theme Literary Response and Analysis 3.12 • Analysis the way in which a work of literature is related to the themes and issues of its historical period California ELA Content Standards

3. Look at all those fancy clothes,But these could keep us warm just like those.And what about your soul? Is it cold?Is it straight from the mold, and ready to be sold?And cars and phones and diamond rings, Bling, bling, because those are only removable things.And what about your mind? Does it shine?Are there things that concern you, more than your time?Gone, going. Gone, everything. Gone, give a damn.Gone, be the birds, when they don't wanna sing.Gone, people, all awkward with their things,Gone.Look at you, out to make a deal.You try to be appealing, but you lose your appeal. And what about those shoes you're in today?They'll do no good, on the bridges you burnt along the way.And you're willing to sell, anything?Gone, with your head. Leave your footprints, And we'll shame them with our words.Gone, people, all careless and consumed, goneGone, going, Gone, everything. Gone, give a damn.Gone, be the birds, if they don't wanna sing.Gone, people, all awkward with their things, Gone. “Gone” ~Jack Johnson

4. “Gone, going. Gone, everything.” “People, all careless and consumed, gone” The subject of the song is the negative impact of materialism and excess on today’s society. SUBJECT

5. “Look at all those fancy clothes,But these could keep us warm just like those. / And what about your soul? Is it cold? / Is it straight from the mold, and ready to be sold?” The context of the song is found in our society’s need to focus on materialistic wants instead of our realistic needs. Many people try to fit the Hollywood culture instead of finding their true selves. Many people in today’s society are egotistical, they focus only on themselves. Instead of focusing their efforts on something that is actually important, they spend too much time on themselves “And what about your mind? Does it shine?Are there things that concern you, more than your time?” OCCASION / CONTEXT

6. The primary audience are young adults. They are at the most impressionable age and often try hard to be accepted by society. “Gone, people, all awkward with their things, Gone” “And what about those shoes you're in today?They'll do no good, on the bridges you burnt along the way” AUDIENCE

7. The purpose of the song is to persuade teenagers and young to focus on the simple things in life and to think twice before indulging in materialistic vanities. Material objects will not last forward; what is more important is what is found within people. “And what about your soul? Is it cold?” “Gone, going, Gone, everything. Gone, give a damn. Gone, be the birds, if they don't wanna sing.Gone, people, all awkward with their things, Gone” PURPOSE

8. The speaker establishes his credibility by providing everyday examples when people give into their impulse to focus on materialism and vanity. He states that people lose themselves by focusing only on their outward appearances. “Look at all those fancy clothes,But these could keep us warm just like those.” “Gone, going, Gone, everything. Gone, give a damn. Gone, be the birds, if they don't wannasing. Gone, people, all awkward with their things, Gone.” SPEARKER

9. The tone of this song is objective, yet cold. The diction the speaker uses suggests a rather unapologetic attitude in order to prove that that people lose their true selves through their attempt to conform to societal norms. “And what about your soul? Is it cold?” “Look at you, out to make a deal.You try to be appealing, but you lose your appeal” TONE

10. “Gone, going. Gone, everything. Gone, give a damn.Gone, be the birds, when they don't wanna sing.Gone, people, all awkward with their things,Gone.” The speaker utilizes an external rhyme pattern to draw the readers’ attention to his words and force them to resonate within the readers. The repetition of the word “gone” emphasis the emptiness that people who indulge in materialism and conform to societal norms will feel; it helps to emphasize the purpose of the song. Rhythm Pattern: ABAB • “Look at all those fancy clothes,But these could keep us warm just like those.And what about your soul? Is it cold?Is it straight from the mold, and ready to be sold?” ORGANIZATION

11. The writer speaks directly to his audience by utilizing the second person point-of view. He literally asks his audience to visualize and reflect upon some of the choices they have made and then he asks rhetorical questions for each reflection The rhetorical questions help to prove his point that materialism leaves people feeling empty inside. “Look at all those fancy clothes… And what about your soul? “ “Look at you, out to make a deal…And what about those shoes you're in today?” “And cars and phones and diamond rings… And what about your mind? Does it shine?” NARRATIVE STYLE

12. The speaker establishes both his ethos and logos by providing evidence from most people’s everyday experiences. Many people spend a lot of money on their appearance in order to feel accepted by our society’s expectations. This makes his argument more believable and gives him more credibility for his argument “Look at all those fancy clothes,But these could keep us warm just like those.” “And what about those shoes you're in today?They'll do no good, on the bridges you burnt” EVIDENCE

13. “Gone Lyrics.” Sing365. Web. 27 June 2011. http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/gone-lyrics-jack-johnson/696ad8c1c3beee6048256d1e000fb3d7. Works Cited