Writing Examples
If Music Be the Food of Life
This is an analysis of an address given by Frances J. McClain, Livingstone Professor of Music at Queens College in Charlotte, North Carolina. Entitled "The Music In Your Soul: A Celebration of Life," the speech was delivered at the Fall Convocation of 2001 at Queens College. The musical theme of this address was very appealing to me, and I was struck by how uplifting the words of this address were as I read and reread it to scrutinize the author's use of different stylistic elements.
If Music Be the Food of Life
by Kacie Schaeffer
Since the dawn of mankind, music has held sway over the deepest and most tender recesses of the human soul. Even today, song is a major part of global society, providing a sense of completeness at the movies and brushing on the emotions that, for many, are left unspoken in the bustle of life. Music is a language that every person understands in one manner or another; it is an intangible force that can bind nations together. Frances J. McClain, a professor of music at Queens College in North Carolina, takes advantage of this power at the annual Fall Convocation before the student body in his speech "The Music in Your Soul." McClain employs informal speech and musical metaphors, powerful auditory imagery, lyrical alliteration, and rhythmic parallel sentence patterns to convey a desire for a universal celebration of life.
McClain's speech opens with a reference to the terrorist attacks that devastated the American public on September 11, 2001; this illustration serves to demonstrate the unpredictable nature of tragedy and the need to recognize each day as a blessing. The opening sentence brims with antithesis, acknowledging the complete swing in morale that many Americans experienced when they received news of the attacks: "The horrific terrorist attack on our country taught us how in a single minute, we can be hurled from order into chaos, from joy into sorrow, and from life into death" (59). However, instead of dwelling on these sensations of disorder and loss, McClain passionately says, "...let us celebrate life and this day... Let us observe this occasion as a time of new beginnings, new goals, and new opportunities for the attainment of worthwhile endeavors" (59). The repetition of the phrase "let us" and the word "new" emphasizes McClain's main point: that every person can use his inherent musical qualities to shape life around tragedies and to appreciate it to its fullest.
"The Music in Your Soul" is primarily effective due to the author's use of music as an extended metaphor for life. This analogy actually begins with a list of common figures of speech to show the dominance of music in our everyday lives. The given examples are specific and effective in their brevity:
Just as our language has adopted certain musical phrases, McClain feels that every person has a blend of musical qualities that combine to form a unique individual. Melody becomes a metaphor for a person's individuality—"...Like music, each of us has a unique melody. Just as we identify a song by its melody, each of us is identified by our melody..." (60). Harmony expresses a person's skill in working cooperatively with others and "refers to how you bring various people and ideas together" (60). A person's rhythm describes his organizational skill and his ability "to get people organized, energized, enthusiastic, and motivated" (60). Furthermore, the tempo of a personality describes the energy expended in daily activities whereas one's dynamics indicate one's strength of character and leadership capabilities. These extended metaphors apply to each person on an individual level, broadening the scope of McClain's words to include and encourage every listener to join in this celebration of life.
Another reason for the success of this speech lay in the powerful descriptions that enhance its masterful metaphors. McClain uses detailed auditory imagery to further his point, allowing his audience to actually feel the traits present in each being. Personal melodies are described as "quiet, soft, and lyrical," "rhythmic and energetic," "majestic and somber," "whimsical and funny," or "cool and mellow" (60). The rhythms of some cause us "to clap our hands and tap our feet" (60) and provide an auditory link to life and motion. The "loudness" and "softness" of students imply personal growth in an individual, and the author notes keenly that "freshmen come in quiet, reserved, and a little shy about using their melodies and in leading others. But by the senior year, they crescendo to become leaders with loud, vibrant, and stimulating melodies" (61). Through the sensations that these descriptions produce, the listener gains a deep understanding of the diversity of the world and the knowledge that ultimately all people can grow to appreciate the beauty of life.
A final subtlety, and perhaps the single element that makes this address so potent, is the musical quality that flows throughout its entirety. McClain plays on the "energy and enthusiasm" of his listeners through his extensive use of alliteration and repetition. The soft "s" in "your own sound, your own style, your essence..." (60) provides a soothing and poetic sense of the melody in people while the sharp "t" sound provides a beat in and of itself, showing that listeners must follow a steady "tempo until the task is completed" (61). The lazy, rolling "r" reminds us to calm the tempos of life once in awhile—we must "relax, reduce stress... [and] slow down our heart rate" (60) if we are to remain healthy and balanced. Similarly, the admission that "... Most celebrations ... are more festive, more engaging, more memorable with just the right type of music" (59), and the statement "Regardless, your melody is your own sound, your own style, your essence, your identity" (60), rely heavily on the repetition of the words "more" and "your," respectively, to carry their impact. This consistent use of anaphora gives the listener the impression that he is listening to the refrain of a popular song. The speech becomes not a mere collection of words, but meaningful and enjoyable poetry.
The author's skillful use of stylistic devices clearly provides a sensational means of relating to not only a younger generation, but to a completely universal audience. As music binds the ages together, McClain uses it to pass on the wisdom of age and experience in a refreshing and energetic manner. In a time of depression and shock, the author encourages Americans everywhere to celebrate their lives and the lives of others with the music in their souls. After all, "When you discover and develop your musical qualities, your life will truly take on a new dimension that will honor your Creator and enhance your interactions with others" (61).
Work Cited
McClain, Frances J. "The Music In Your Soul." Vital Speeches of the Day. Vol. LXVIII, No. 2. 1 Nov. 2001: 59-61.