Losing Heart - Brandi Carlile
This song would come in at page 104, after Maurice and Sandy harrass Holden in his hotel room, and he feels like killing himself. Holden feels depressed, insignificant, and he appears to be losing his senses. In the song Losing Heart the author expresses a feeling of becoming less passionate about life and about the confusion that stems from that.
Thesis:
The song Losing Heart by Brandi Carlile suggests the incoming insanity and depression that Holden feels, through its gloomy lyrics and repetition of confused questions. Holden portrays his sense of depression when he narrates, "What I really felt like, though, was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out of the window" (104). This illustrates his obvious feelings of depression, and how he cannot handle his current life. Similarly, Brandi Carlile writes "I don't mind if my heart don't beat and the sun don't shine." This complements Holden's state of mind, because "my heart don't beat" implies death, and "sun don't shine" implies an apocalypse. Therefore, a nonchalance towards death and the end of world reflects Holden's emotions when he says, "I ... felt like ... committing suicide." Furthermore, Holden illustrates his confused state of mind when he says, "I was so damn mad and nervous and all" (103). This shows us the multiple and strong emotions he feels at this time, and so many emotions are bound to confuse one's mind. In the song, Brandi Carlile writes "Am I losing heart? Have I frozen it? Am I pushing too hard? Have I started to forget?" The sequence of these questions that have no easy answers implies her confusion over her actions and state of mind. Both Holden and Brandi Carlile exemplify confusion and depression through their effective word choice, as well as Brandi Carlile's use of meaningful questions that puzzle her.
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I agree with Linh that Bradi Carlile's song "Losing Heart" really reflects Holden's thoughts and state of mind. Both Brandi and Holden think thoughts of death, of how life might be easier if they were dead. Also, the song illustrates the sort of questions that Holden is asking himself, such as "am I even human?". Holden has a lot of emotions that he doesn't know how to control or even confront, and this song really shows his confusion and how Holden feels lost. I think Linh's song choice was a very good pick because its lyrics are very similar to Holden's thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Linh and Julia that "Losing Heart" connects with Holden's state of mind. I think that the way the song is sung and actual music of it add to the connection. She sings it solemnly, with slow melodic beats. This somewhat monotone and smooth tone illustrates Holden's monotone view of the world, like there is almost nothing good in his life. His life is very slow and not dramatic or eventful, similar to "Losing Heart."
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