American Pie Rhetorical Devices

With every aspect of our lives we are making a point, arguing a belief, or refuting some other aspect of our existence. Aesthetic pieces, most avidly poems and songs, argue a message both in the lyrics and in the meaning posed between the lines. “American Pie,” in a multitude of ways, argues that American lives and memories are closely intertwined with the music of the time period. Not only does “American Pie” argue a message it also pulls many generations together. Today, thirty years after the initial release, “American Pie” still has an effect in our music and continues to be popular with all age groups. Don McLean accomplishes this task through using the context of the time period, placement of words, the words

"American Pie" starts out addressing McLean love for music in the 50's. During the 50's, music was a tool for getting people off their feet and on to the dance floors. "And I knew if I had my chance, that I could make those people dance, and maybe they'd be happy for a while" (McLean). This verse symbolizes why he loves to create and perform for his fans. McLean then goes on to mention his mentor Buddy Holly. "But February made me shiver. With every paper, I'd deliver. Shocking news on the doorstep, I couldn't take one more step. I can't remember if I cried. When I read about his widowed bride. But something touched me deep inside. The day the music died" (McLean). Buddy Holly died on February 3, 1959, in a plane crash. There are two theories on why the song was called "American Pie." It was rumored, "American Pie" was the name of the plane that took Buddy Holly life. Also, someone refers it to a symbol of the beauty queen Miss America (Morgan). Mclean remembered the paper boy delivering the morning paper and there on the front page, was the story of the death of Buddy Holly. At the time Holly's wife was pregnant and soon had a miscarriage afterward. McLean, he says he can't remember if he cried in the moment or not. All this was in the first few verses in "American Pie." McLean incorporated these lines of imagery to help the listener picture his past emotional experiences. I believe McLean wanted to paint a picture for his audience could relate to. During these times it was tough for McLean. Not only did Buddy Holly die but also rock star legends Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper. For McLean music died for him and the rest of the world.

The civil rights movement was one of the main elements that were responsible for agitation and protest that greatly expanded in the 1960s. This social movement “originated among black Americans in the South who faced racial discrimination and segregation, or the separation of whites and blacks, in almost every aspect of their lives” (“Protests in the 1960s,” 3). There was constant racial

During the early 1930’s through the mid 1960’s there were many different approaches African American’s took for achieving social changes, and the Civil rights they deserved. Many great African American leader’s such as Martin Luther King Jr, Malcom X, and James Baldwin contributed towards the betterment of blacks living in America. Aside from individual African American leaders there was also groups that fought for black civil rights such as The Black Power Movement, Black Panthers, and Civil Rights Activist. Other events that transpired during this time period had also effected the civil rights movement in America. For instance: The altercation with Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white male ultimately led to The Montgomery Bus boycott protest,

The civil rights movement of 1960 was a trend that led to the Stonewall riots occurring. The mid-1950s saw the rise of

In the earlier half of the 1960s, the Civil Rights movement was blossoming. Led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was based on the concept of non-violence and peaceful protest as exhibited by Gandhi. “We affirm the

The 1960s and 1970s were times of great change in the United States. These changes were initiated by a handful of extraordinary people whom have created a path for the next generations to finish what they have started. These extraordinary people have made a lasting impact on the United States’ citizens to this day. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X had helped with the rights of African Americans, Rachel Carson who promoted taking care of the environment, and the LGBT organizations that fought for equality.

The civil rights movement of the sixties is one of the most controversial times of the last century. Many, if not all, who lived through that time, and the generations following were enormously impacted. At the time passions ran so high that violence at peaceful

The 1960’s were a time of radical change. It was a decade where people began to question authority, and time of confrontation. The decade's radicalism began with the assassination of John F. Kennedy in November of 1963. This event changed the country's idealistic views, and started an upheaval of civil rights movements. Baby boomers started a new perception, and formalized the act of resistance to war. There were also many of whom, turned violent and rebellious; in their effort to fight "the system."

The Civil Rights movement of the 60’s had strings attached in every aspect of life, from Martin Luther King Jr. who was a reverend who reached from the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi; to Roy Wilkins, former leader of the NAACP and political activist: to Rosa Parks, who just wanted to sit on the bus undisturbed and equally; to Jackie Robinson, who was the first African American to play in major league (white) baseball, consequently breaking barriers and opening opportunity for those who came after him. To suggest that any of the men and women amongst those who marched and spoke with leaders such as the icons listed were not considered instrumental in the Civil Rights movement throughout the 60’s in the U.S. is ludacris.

The song American Pie is a representation of loss during the transition into the 1970s. It was written in 1971 by Don McLean and filled with his views on the state of society, political changes, and cultural changes. The cultural changes and the loss of everything society knew produced the lost generation that McLean was apart of. He demonstrated his disapproval of the direction of the country by using music, faith, and war as examples of the changes and loss his generation faced.

Kennedy and Martin Luther King had a lot to do with the changing society during the times because both of them were very influential people. Even though Kennedy got assasinanted before Martin Luther King he didn't get the chance to do everything he planned to do. After Kennedy died a lot of his plans were still carried out. Martin Luther King on the other hand was fighting for our equal rights and many other things before he go

Sadly he was assassinated at the young age of 39, in Memphis, Tennessee. Another notable civil rights activist was Malcolm X. His thoughts on how protesting should be done were much more radical than King’s and were often violent. Through this movement, the sixties saw the de-segregation of schools as well. To put it simply, the sixties were monumental in how our society remains today. The United States today serves as the most diverse country in the world, all due to the help of the Civil rights movement of the sixties.

‘American Pie’ was written in 1971 and topped the music charts in 1972. Don Mclean wrote it partly as a biography and partly as the story of the evolving America through the 1950’s, 1960’s, and 1970’s. Don Mclean wrote the song to tell a story about his generation and how it had and continued to change since he was younger. It took Mclean over ten years of work and with the combination of many ideas American Pie was born. In American Pie by Don Mclean, he shows America’s lost innocence in the song after the 1950’s through symbolism, allusion, and denotation.

The 1960's was a decade of tremendous social and political upheaval. In the United States, many movements occurred by groups of people seeking to make positive changes in society.