Form: Song
Caught In the Crowd by Kate Miller Hedike
There was a guy at my school when I was in high school
We'd ride side by side in the morning on our bicycles Never even spoken or faced each other But on the last hill we'd race each other When we reached the racks we'd each go our own way I wasn't in his classes, I didn't know his name When we finally got to speak he just stared at his feet And mumbled a sentence that ended with 'James' I was young and caught in the crowd I didn't know then what I know now I was dumb, and I was proud And I'm sorry If I could go back do it again I'd be someone you could call friend Please, please believe that I'm sorry Well he was quite a big guy, kinda shy and quiet When the kids called him weird he didn't try to deny it Every lunchtime he'd spend walking by himself Round the boundary of the grounds til he heard the bell Well one day I found him, joined him on his walk We were silent for a while until we started to talk I told him my family were fighting in court He said his step-dad and him always fought |
We talked about music, he was into punk
Told me all the bands that I liked were junk I said I'd never heard the songs the sex pistols sang I laughed back at him and then the bell rang I was young and caught in the crowd I didn't know then what I know now I was dumb, and I was proud And I'm sorry If I could go back do it again I'd be someone you could call friend Please, please believe that I'm sorry It was after school in the afternoon The corridors were crowded as we came out of the rooms Three guys I knew pushed him into the cement Threw away his bag and said he had no friends He yelled that he did and he looked around Tried getting up but they pushed him on down That's when he saw me, called out my name And I turned my back, and just walked away Yeah I turned my back, and just walked away I was young and caught in the crowd I didn't know then what I know now I was dumb, and I was proud And I'm sorry If I could go back do it again I'd be someone you could call friend Please, please believe that I'm sorry Please, please believe that I'm sorry |
Analysis
Why am I including this song and what is it about?
I chose to include this song because it is a very special written style song, using the perspective of the girl who kept silent in the 'bullying process'. This song is about a boy who's name is James, is bullied at school. The song was written from the perspective of the persona who actually talked to James, but unfortunately, turns to be a coward and was scared to stand up for him. She is too scared to be different form the others, and eventually being laughed. Now, the persona, as an adult, has regretted for not helping and is sorry to turn back and walk away.
What is the message or main theme of the poem?
The main theme of this song is bullying and peer pressure. With also regret as theme, the song is remorseful as the persona is rue, for what she did. The main message of the song is that kids at school doesn't realize their words and actions are harmful and abusive to the others, and could have a big impact on them.
What is the tone (emotion) created in the poem?
The tone created in the poem is regrets and sorrow.
What language techniques are used in the song?
I chose to include this song because it is a very special written style song, using the perspective of the girl who kept silent in the 'bullying process'. This song is about a boy who's name is James, is bullied at school. The song was written from the perspective of the persona who actually talked to James, but unfortunately, turns to be a coward and was scared to stand up for him. She is too scared to be different form the others, and eventually being laughed. Now, the persona, as an adult, has regretted for not helping and is sorry to turn back and walk away.
What is the message or main theme of the poem?
The main theme of this song is bullying and peer pressure. With also regret as theme, the song is remorseful as the persona is rue, for what she did. The main message of the song is that kids at school doesn't realize their words and actions are harmful and abusive to the others, and could have a big impact on them.
What is the tone (emotion) created in the poem?
The tone created in the poem is regrets and sorrow.
What language techniques are used in the song?
Technique
Metaphor
Repetition
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Example
I was young and caught in the crowd
I turned my back and just walked away
Please, please believe that I'm sorry
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Explanation
The composer describe herself as being caught in the crowd, this means she gave in to peer pressure, and followed everyone else who kept silent, 'to look normal' and be 'indifferent'.
The composer repeats this line in the song, to emphasize the body language and the image of turning away from James. It also emphasizes the idea of how she feels mean now, about the moment where she turned away.
The composer repeats the word 'please' specifically, to emphasize the sorrow in her, that she is really regretful, for turning away from him.
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My personal opinion of the poem
I think that this song portrays the reality of bullying act well, not using the perspective of the bully or the bullied. Being silent is an act of supporting bullies, it hurts the bullied even more when you just pretend not to see. Sometimes, kids don't mean to be hurtful or bullies, but they could hurt the bullied, by keeping silent.
I think that this song portrays the reality of bullying act well, not using the perspective of the bully or the bullied. Being silent is an act of supporting bullies, it hurts the bullied even more when you just pretend not to see. Sometimes, kids don't mean to be hurtful or bullies, but they could hurt the bullied, by keeping silent.