Mississippi Goddam - Historical and Rhetorical Song Analysis Form

« Historical and Rhetorical Song Analysis Form Include details and textual evidence (where appropriate) to support your ideas Title, Composer, and Performer (include biographical information for each) ↓↓ “Mississippi Goddam” by Nina Simone “The High Priestess of Soul” -birth name: Eunice Waymon, 1933-2003 -trained classical pianist; denied scholarship at Curtis Institute of Music; moved to NYC to study music -became civil rights activist; stated to Dr.

King, “I am not non-violent” Nina Simone in Concert, Philips Records, 1964 Citation Information (album title, recording studio/label, year written and released) (include significant historical events and influential national and global trends/issues) -inspired by anger over the bombing of the 16th St.

Baptist Church and assassination of Medgar Evers -song captured the culmination of years of frustration of racial injustice, violence, and the slow pace of change Genre (note the style and musical category) -claims it is a “show tune” though she says the show has not yet been written; general category is jazz Social Issue Being Addressed -Simone expresses frustration at the hundreds of years of oppression, noting the “hound dogs on my trail” and “school children sitting in jail” as well as the common credo to “Go slow!” -she profiles America’s history of institutionalized racism, lack of opportunity, inequality, etc. Historical Context (note the specific topic the author wants to highlight) Connection to Modern Times (note the current issues which relate to the social issue presented and the extent to which the issue has changed) -police brutality (disproportionately affects African-Americans) -continuing discrimination in hiring, housing, voting, etc. Intended Audience and Purpose -serves to both galvanize African-Americans and confront white Americans (especially those in the South) (include the intentions of both the composer and the performer) Tone (note two adjectives with textual evidence) Literary and Rhetorical Devices (note techniques like interesting diction, unique syntax structures, metaphor, simile, repetition, alliteration, rhetorical question, etc.) -angry, defiant, and insistent “And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam,” “Yes, you lied to me all these years,” “Don’t tell me, I tell you,” “Oh, but this whole country is full of lies / You’re all gonna die and die like flies” -rhetorical question: “Can’t you see it?” “Can’t you feel it?” “Where am I going?” “What am I doing?” -repetition: “Desegregation,.... »