Warner PAGE 4
Hollie Warner
Mr. Mullen
English 3
November 7, 2014
"Landslide"
The song "Landslide" performed by Fleetwood Mac and written by their lead singer Stevie Nicks illustrates the struggles of aging and being infringed with corruption. She utilizes free verse in both her rhythm and rhyme scheme to describe her evolution as the years have past. Her tone is initially reflective with a hint of insecurity, but by the end of the song it morphs into confidence and acceptance. Nicks uses figurative language such as metaphor, conceit, and symbols to create images that express the unsureness she is trying to overcome. Stevie Nicks utilizes many literary elements to express the endeavors of growing old.
"Landslide" is written with a rhythmic and rhyming free verse, but some brief patterns occur within the song. The rhythm begins with a random series of 8, 10, 13, and 7. The bridge to the chorus is 10, 10, 10, 10 and the chorus is 8, 8, 6, 6, 6.
The bridge of the song is a series of questions that call out to a higher power. The consistent amount of syllables creates a sense of pondering, and makes the questions sound as if they are running through her mind and playing on a constant loop. The syllables' perpetually creates an exasperated tone that adds to the confusion she is experiencing. Another present element is sporadic end rhyme such as, "down/around" (1-2), "love/above" (5-6), "tides/life" (7-8), and "bolder/ older" (16-17). The rhymes are not consistent within the poem but appear occasionally. Along with end rhyme, the word "too" is repeated many times and shows how Nicks' thinking is evolving and how she is attempting to reassure herself. "Landslide" is about Nicks trying to pave a virtuous route for her neoteric life.
Stevie Nicks is...