Poetry has the power to evoke profound emotions through its carefully crafted words and imagery. Let us delve into the art of analyzing poetry, by exploring the lyrics of “I Am Mine,” by Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder .
A poem can encompass various elements that contribute to its unique form and expressive power. Here are some of the key poetic elements found in “I Am Mine”:
Form and Structure:
The arrangement of lines, stanzas, and verses contributes to the overall structure of a poem. Different poetic forms, such as sonnets, haiku, and free verse, have distinct rules and conventions that influence the organization and presentation of ideas in the poem. Eddie Vedder has seven stanzas in his poem “I Am Mine.” The stanzas within poetry form a unit, or coupling, within the larger structure of the poem itself. Stanzas are often separated from each other by spaces or line breaks.
The number of lines in a stanza, as well as the rhyme scheme and meter, can vary depending on the poet’s intentions and the specific form of the poem. The line breaks found in this particular song also vary; the stanzas range from four to five lines. This was more than likely intentional. Notice that when read aloud the flow of the words are reminiscent of waves crashing onto the shore. It is meant to sound smooth. Vedder, our narrator, wants the lines to feel secure like a lullaby or a warm hug.
Rhyme Scheme:
Rhyme occurs when words share similar sounds, typically at the end of lines in a poem. Poets use rhyme to create patterns and enhance the musical quality of their verse. The rhyme scheme refers to the pattern of rhymes within a poem, often represented using letters to indicate matching sounds (e.g., AABB, ABAB).
This particular ballad favors end rhymes. An end rhyme scheme occurs whenever the last syllables or words in two or more lines of a poem rhyme with each other. It is one of the most common types of rhyme in poetry; often used to create musicality, rhythm, and structure within a poem. Stanza I of “I Am Mine” is a prime example of this. Vedder writes, “They’re all standing in line,/Faithing and hoping to buy themselves time/Me, I figure as each breath goes by/ I only own my mind.“
Another preferred couplet of Vedder’s is slant rhyme. In Stanza IV, you’ll find the following lines: “The ocean is full ’cause everyone’s crying,/The full moon is looking for friends at high tide,/ The sorrow grows bigger when the sorrow’s denied/…” What the musician penned, creates sounds of two words that are similar but not identical. Unlike perfect rhyme, where the vowel sounds and ending consonant sounds match exactly (e.g., “moon” and “spoon”), slant rhyme involves words that share similar consonant sounds or vowel sounds, or both, but differ slightly in pronunciation.
Slant rhyme is often used by poets to create a sense of connection. The Pearl Jam lead singer accomplished just that by conveying a link between the images of the moon and sorrow through “denied” and “tide.” Eddie Vedder likewise allowed for a deep sense of connection between the words to form for the listener. He allowed for the words themselves to speak of their despairing nature by utilizing the sonorous alteration that slant rhyme provides.
Figurative Language:
Unlike literal language, (which conveys meaning directly and explicitly) figurative language relies on comparisons, associations, and symbolism to evoke deeper layers of meaning and engage the reader’s imagination. Figurative language includes similes, metaphors, personification, and symbolism. It adds depth and richness to a poem by conveying meanings beyond the literal interpretation of the words written.
“I Am Mine,” for instance, favors the figurative language device of personification to captivate an audience. What does it mean to personify something exactly? Well, it is when a poet attributes human characteristics or qualities to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or abstract concepts. For example, “The full moon is looking for friends at hightide” is giving the moon an extremely relatable human emotion — loneliness.
The moon isn’t simply a planet anymore. Oh, no. It is a lonely soul searching for company against the long drawn out nights. Relatable, right? Exactly right. Precisely what Vedder was banking on. He wants us to identify with our longing for kinship, especially if it pulls on memories of past solitary nights spent alone. Such a choice in wording grips the listener into identifying with the moon (or, rather, our poet) on a personal level. It allows poets to engage more deeply with us through their text.
In comparison, “I Am Mine” also uses vivid imagery to captivate readers. Phrases such as “The ocean is full ’cause everyone’s crying” and “The North is to South what the clock is to time” makes use of descriptive language. These are words that appeal to an audience’s sensory experiences. Visual imagery allows readers to visualize the setting, characters, and actions depicted in the poem whereas chirping of birds or the roar of waves creates a sense of atmosphere and mood, etc.
Through carefully crafted phrases, a well written poem can paint a picture using only language as its vessel for our imagination to set sail upon. It allows us to see, hear, taste, touch, and smell the story as if we were traveling beside Eddie Vedder while he sings to us. You almost feel claustrophobic after hearing, “The selfish, they’re all standing in line…” As if you’re marching along with the hopeless bound to destination nowhere too.
Theme:
Essentially, Vedder is pleading with fans to stay true to themselves, or to “keep their heads” in times of sorrow. Do not despair or change who you are to survive in a world that, at times, might seem unforgiving. The entire attitude of “I Am Mine” is one of defiance; no matter what the circumstance Eddie will stay true to himself. He likewise encourages us to do the same: Be brave, courageous, and always honest.
Oftentimes poets may reflect on themes related to identity, self-awareness, and personal growth when crafting a story. In the case of “I Am Mine,” Eddie Vedder focused on this very theme. He wrote a poem/song that explored questions of individuality and societal belonging. He challenged us to combat our loneliness by loving ourselves and, perhaps, each other. As Vedder wrote, “We’re all different behind the eyes/ There’s no need to hide.” I, for one, think he’s right. We will be safe tonight.