Comparing Nothingman And Better Man

All her memories of the night before are starting to come back to her. The line “It’s not enough to face your own regrets” (line 7) alludes to things she may have said or done and now wishes she could take it back. She is remembering the words that she spoke. Or could this be the words that someone else said to her? (Though they’re coming back fast, the things you said)” (line 8). The words that were said and the actions that were done start to come back into focus and the speaker is left to wallow in her remorse. She realizes the words and actions are not something that can be taken back. All the speaker can do is clean up the messes that has been made, think about the words that were spoken and how they led to the end of her

This is her breaking point, all the things she is questioning she does for her significant one unconditionally so it’s heartbreaking when he cannot return the same amount of love. The argument being presented in this song is that staying doesn’t always promise love, dedication and the returned feeling of being

He stands observing both parties as they try to break away from each other while noticing them equally inflicting pain. The purpose of this piece is to highlight the pathetic, hurtful and difficult separation of a couple from a third parties inside perspective, however, there is no positive ending to make us believe

to portray the conflicting emotions of an unmarried couple trying to grapple with the realities of

The lyric “I’m left seeing red on my own” is a metaphor meaning he/ she is angry and/or destructive. The simile hidden in the song, “just like a moth drawn to a flame” means he/ she was attracted to the other person like metal to a magnet only to get hurt. “Needle in the thread” is a symbol for how he/she tries to get the other out of their head with every stitch.

Unusual punctuation, irony, and thoughtful syntax illustrate the conflict between what the narrator craves versus her reality. First, the narrator states that she “listened to her sentiment: / Baby, where did our love go?- a lament / I greedily took in” (10 - 12). Placing the word “sentiment” (10) instead of lyrics enhances the idea that she is listening to more than just the words, sentiment denotes to one’s attitude or view of an event. The narrator is not simply enjoying a tune, she is intently focused on the attitude this musician is intending to establish.

The notion that the gender constructs of male and female are meant to be binary opposing cause conflict as all individuals will have crossed between these definitions on occasions. This is evident through examining the contemporary machinations of the Heavy Metal genre. The narration of the song lyrically delves into the concept of lust, propelling this notion of masculinity. Therefore, this creates an identity crisis for males which of whom do not fit within the emotionless and fornication-obsessed archetype. This outlook on the lust also remains within the realm of heterosexuality which also indirectly degrades a homosexual male's identification with the concept of masculinity.

Through it reveals that the characters are almost complete opposing forces that just do not work together in a natural setting. From the start of the story they seem to be in agreement of an abortion since they are still together. However, as the story develops they split in direction. The woman is a dynamic character while the man is static. As the woman reveals herself as, as Holladay elaborates, “Interested in the world around her, concerned with being friendly, vital, and imaginative. (par. 2)” the man remains stubborn to the point where he is just uncooperative, and thus their personalities do not work together. When given the chance to show that he understands her change in character, he denies her when she says, "We can have everything." But is given a "No, we can't. (125)" To this point she emphasizes that she will get nowhere with him. In the wake of persuading by the man, he tells her he loves and the operation is simple to just to convince her of his own selfish and manipulative intent but she understands her path with, “But I don't want anybody but you. I don't want anyone else. And I know it's perfectly simple. (126)" She “agrees” with him just so that he would stop talking, hoping to end his persistence. This only indicates that their relationship is not sound. At the end of the story it can only be presumed that they stay together after the abortion, and as Holladay illuminates, “[staying in

Gender is a construct that that pertains to the idea of being male or female. In contemporary contexts, gender identity goes beyond the hegemonic qualities of masculinity (physical strength, dominance and a strong sex drive) and femininity (nurture, passivity and materialistic), and branches into non-binary territory. Popular music both reflects and affects the perception of gender in audiences and, in turn, general society, through the portrayal of traditional and alternative gender roles and traits. In the last fifty years, prominent figures in the genres of rock and pop music have toyed with gender representations and made statements upon the true meaning of them. Through the analysis of the ‘gender-bending’ David Bowie and Boy

This verse does not really need much interpretation. Clearly the girl is asking herself the typical questions of someone who is heartbroken. When Robyn said “The big black sky” (line 3) we can assume that it is the representation of the depression

She is a patient lady but the uncertainty of her lover’s return is making her restless. She says that she will count the years in her hand, and live by each till she forgets the years she has passed. In the 4th stanza the speaker shows her incredible devotion to her lover. The speaker says she doesn't need a life without her lover: “If certain, when

I gathered that women rock fans associated rock genre with men or masculinity. Tolerance towards men’s position inside rock subculture was also shown by opinions of women rock fans regarding their identity as The Fallen as a metalhead. The Fallen is the catchy name that Avenged Sevenfold fans from around the world call themselves. Meanwhile, metalhead refers to rock or metal fans in general. Women rock fans, even those who are heavily invested in Avenged Sevenfold or rock genre as a whole, were reluctant to call themselves “The Fallen” or

The only way to escape and replenish his soul is through writing poetry. In line 15, the speaker doesn’t care about the reason behind her absence, all that’s important to him is that "the night is shattered, and she is not with me." (16). When the speaker hears someone singing in the distance, he bring back up the fact that he is alone. Thus, he concedes “my soul is not satisfied.” (18) In lines 19 and 20 the speaker communicates his aching to reunite with his lover. His sight and his heart is trying to find her, but yet, he is still alone. In stanza 6, the speaker declares that he no longer loves her, but he admits he loved her greatly in the past. In the final two lines, the speaker is determined to erase the memory of her in an attempt to ease his pain, insisting that this poem will be “the last verses that I write for her.” (32).

The two verses in Better Man illustrate the difficulties faced by a woman in an abusive relationship with her male partner. The first verse uses imagery and rhyme to show the female’s dread of her partner returning home at 4am. The anxiety the woman feels is evidently shown in the lines, “Tell him, take no more. She practices her speech as he opens the door, she rolls over, pretends to sleep as he looks her over.” This clearly shows the roles played in the harmful relationship and the impact it has on the woman. In the situation, the woman appears to be building up courage to make her ‘speech’ to her partner, but when he opens the door, her bravery wanes and she simply rolls over and pretends to sleep. The woman’s weary feelings towards her male partner judges he is abusive/unloving towards her. The story of the woman’s battle continues in the second verse, in which the struggle is more mentally fought.

In the absence of the husband she knocks at another’s door. She asserts her individuality and challenges domesticity. A note of rebellion and defiance is strongly expressed in this poem.