Thesis
A narrative analysis of country music's discussion of 9/11, patriotism, and war
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2009
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102120
Abstract
Scholars have established music as an important part of society, including daily life, social movements, and politics. After the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and the subsequent invasion of Iraq, the music industry, including country music, was one of the venues through which these issues were discussed. This study focuses on country music by examining how the lyrics about 9/11, patriotism, and war supported a conservative ideology. From September 2001 and September 2008, 30 songs that discussed these social and political issues were in the top 50 on Billboard's country music charts. A narrative analysis was used to examine the lyrics. This approach was chosen because country music songs often tell a story, music and narratives have an established relationship, and believable narratives have the potential to affect audiences. The narratives had uncritical patriotic themes, reflected on 9/11, and used common imagery withn country music to support their arguments and maintain the American metanarrative. Narrators were usually male, telling personal stories of service or discussing what life was like for those at home. Over time, the narratives shifted from a metanarrative to a more traditional form, with slight acknowledgments that popular opinion towards the Iraq war changed, but continued a proAmerican and pro-war ideology. These narratives generally reinforced country music's norms and established a politically and socially conservative worldview. They also illustrate that it can be difficult to share an alternative belief within a dominant ideology. Finally, music still plays an important role in society as it continues to discuss current political issues.
Metrics
18 File views/ downloads
36 Record Views
Details
- Title
- A narrative analysis of country music's discussion of 9/11, patriotism, and war
- Creators
- Jessica Lynn Gehrke
- Contributors
- Elizabeth Blanks Hindman (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525372501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis