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“The Analysis of Figure of Speech In Rage Against the Machine Songs Lyrics”
(Bullet in the Head, No Shelter)
Achmad Rifai NIM. 202026001084
ENGLISH LETTER DEPARTMENT FACULTY OF ADAB AND HUMANITIES
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY “SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH”
JAKARTA 2010
“The Analysis of Figure of Speech In Rage Against the Machine Songs Lyrics”
(Bullet in the Head, No Shelter)
A Thesis
Submitted to Letters and Humanities Faculty In Partially Fulfillment of the Requirement
For the Degree of Strata 1 (S1)
Achmad Rifai
NIM. 202026001084
ENGLISH LETTER DEPARTMENT FACULTY OF ADAB AND HUMANITIES
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY “SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH”
JAKARTA 2010
ABSTRACT
Achmad Rifai, The Analysis of figure of speech in Rage Against The Machine Songs Lyric (Bullet in the Head, No Shelter), Strata 1 Degree, Thesis: English Letters Department, Letters and Humanities Faculty, State Islamic University “Syarif Hidayatullah” Jakarta, 2010.
The aim of this research is to find out the kinds of figure of speech and their meaning of figure of speech in two songs. The writer analyzes songs entitled Bullet in the Head, and No Shelter.
In this research, the writer uses qualitative research with descriptive analysis as the method of the research. The writer analyzes the lyrics by reading them intensively and giving attention to each line. After that, the writer tries to explicate the songs by examining the figure of speech.
From the two lyrics, the writer has found seven types of figure of speech; they are Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Metonymy, Symbol, Allegory, and Hyperbole. The two lyrics have a similar theme, railed against the corporate America. The first lyrics, Bullet in the Head is a lyric about the songwriter criticizes the TV Corporations and other news corporation distract people from the big issues of the world and influence them to be mass consumerism. The second lyric, No Shelter is a lyric discussing the media and advertising corporations keep the citizens complacent and busy to think themselves about lifestyle, entertainment unaware the problem of the world.
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APPROVEMENT
THE ANALYSIS OF FIGURE OF SPEECH IN RAGE AGAINTS
THE MACHINE SONGS LYRICS (Bullet in the Head, No Shelter)
A Thesis
Submitted to Letters and Humanities Faculty
In Partially Fulfillment of the Requirement
For the Degree of Strata 1 (S1)
Achmad Rifai NIM. 202026001084
Approved by:
Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum
NIP. 197810032001122002
ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT
LETTERS AND HUMANITIES FACULTY
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
“SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH”
JAKARTA
2010
LEGALIZATION Name : Achmad Rifai
NIM : 202026001084
Title : The Analysis of Figure of Speech in Rage Against The Machine Songs
Lyrics (Bullet in the Head, No Shelter)
The thesis has been defended before the Letters and Humanities Faculty’s
Examination committee on September 3rd, 2010. The thesis has already accepted as partial
fulfillment of the requirement for the Strata One Degree (S).
Jakarta, 3 September, 2010
Examination Committee
Signature Date 1. Dr. H. M. Farkhan, M. Pd (Chair Person) ______________ ___________ NIP. 1965091920000100 2. Drs. Asep Saefuddin, M. Pd (Secretary) ______________ ___________ NIP. 150261902 3. Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum (Advisor) ______________ ___________ NIP. 197810032001122002 4. Moh. Supardi, M. Hum (Examiner I) ______________ ___________
NIP. 5. Dr. H. M. Farkhan, M. Pd (Examiner II) ______________ ___________ NIP. 1965091920000100
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DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this submission is my original work and that, to the
best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or
written by another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been
accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma of the university or other
institute of higher learning, except where due acknowledgement has been made in
the text.
Jakarta, September 3, 2010
Achmad Rifai
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
First of all the writer’s deepest thank To Allah SWT, the lord of the
universe and to our prophet Muhammad SAW, may peace and blessing be upon
him, his family and his followers.
I would like to express my gratitude to my beloved mother Hj. Nuryani, S.
Ag and my father H. Junaedi for eternal pray, love, patience and all supports.
To my supervisor, Elve Oktafiyani, M. Hum thank you for the great
patient and contributions in finishing this thesis. May Allah always bless her and
her family.
I also would like to express my deepest gratitude to the following persons:
1. Dr. H. Wahid Hasyim, M. Ag, the Dean of Letters and Humanities Faculty
State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta
2. Dr. H. M. Farkhan, M. Pd, the Chief of English Letters Department
3. Drs. Asep Saefuddin, M. Pd, the Secretary of English Letters Department
4. All the lecturers of English Department, for teaching and educating the
precious knowledge and giving wonderful experience.
5. All the staff of English Department especially to “Bu Junaedah”, “Pa Busro”,
“Bang Radi”, and “Bang Ardani”.
6. All of my friend at English letters class especially; Trie Widi Astuti,
Muhammad Pa Jari, Nurilah Ariani, Ahmad ‘TG’ Habibie, , Selvia Muharani,
Rica Agus Budiyanto, Riza Aries Setiawan, When Yusri Rahmen etc. Thank
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you for always giving inspiration and motivating me to finish this thesis may
Allah blesses them all.
Jakarta, September 3, 2010
The writer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABTRACT …………………………………………………………………….… i
APPROVEMENT ……………………………………………………………….. ii
LEGALIZATION …………………………………………………………...….. iii
DECLARATION ……………………………………………………………...... iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ………………………………………………………. v
TABLE OF CONTENTS ……………………………………………………...... vi
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………… 1
A. Background of the Study ………………………………………………… 1
B. Focus of the Study ……………………………………………………….. 3
C. Research Questions …………………………………………………........ 4
D. Objectives of the Study ………………………………………………….. 4
E. Significance of the Study ………………………………………………... 4
F. Research methodology …………………………………………………... 5
1. The Method of the Research ………………………………………… 5
2. Technique of Data Analysis ………………………………………..... 5
3. Research Instrument …………………………………………………. 5
4. Unit Analysis ……………………………………………………........ 5
5. Place and Time ………………………………………………………. 5
CHAPTER II THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ……………………………….. 6
A. Style and stylistics ………………………………………………………. 6
B. Figure of Speech ………………………………………………………… 7
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1. Simile ………………….. …………………………………………… 8
2. Metaphor ……………… ……………………………………………9
3. Personification …………. ………………………………………….. 10
4. Metonymy ……………… …………………………………………. 11
5. Symbol ……………………………………………………………... 11
6. Hyperbole …………………………………………………………... 12
7. Synecdoche …………………………………………………………. 13
8. Allegory …………………………………………………………….. 13
C. Theme ……………………………………………………………………….. 14
CHAPTER III RESEARCH FINDINGS ………………………………………..16
1. Bullet in the Head ………………………………………………………. 16
A. Data Description ……………………………………………………..16
a. Song Background ………………………………………………. 16
b. The Lyric ……….. ………………………………………………16
c. Corpus Data …………………………………………………….. 19
B. Data Analysis ……………………………………………………….. 20
a. Figure of Speech Analysis ……………………………………….20
b. Theme Building Analysis ………………………………………. 29
2. No Shelter ………………………………………………………………. 31
A. Data Description ……………………………………………………. 31
a. Song Background ………………………………………………. 31
b. The Lyric ……………………………………………………….. 32
c. Corpus Data ……………………………………………………. 34
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B. Data Analysis ………………………………………………………. 35
a. Figure of Speech Analysis ………………………………………35
b. Theme Building Analysis ………………………………………. 40
CHAPTER IV CONCLUSION ………………………………………………… 42
BIBLIOGRAPHY ……………………………………………………………… 44
APPENDIX …………………………………………………………………….. 46
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
Language is an instrument or a form of culture used by human to
communicate to each other, either by oral, written or signal. Through language,
human can adapt to the tradition, behavior, social manner, and easy to socializing
with all kinds of societies. The language has important role in daily life; because
without language, the complex structure social life can not be achieved.
Language can be divided into two functions; there are common function and
special function. Language as common function is an instrument to show the
expressions, communication, integration and social adaptation. Meanwhile, language
as special function is considered to arrange relationship in daily association,
rendering art, study of codices and also to exploit science and technology.
Language is an instrument to convey an idea whereas the communication is a
delivery process of that information from one to another in order to influence to each
other.1 Language must be understood and also should be interesting. In this case, by
adding language with other language elements, for instance, the usage of figure of
speech. The message of language can be a command, idea and speaker expression to
the receiver in order to acceptable and easily understood. The other function is
language as a soul expression. Language takes various kind forms of arts. Literary
works, for example, is one of art forms revealed by mind and feeling into an artistic
language, original idea, and the depth of meaning.
1 Komunikasi, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (November 5th, 2009). http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/komunikasi, p.1
2
Literary genre and type of literature can be classified into two groups; non
imaginative and imaginative literature. Non imaginative consists of literary works in
a form of essay, criticism, biography, autobiography, and history. While imaginative
literature consist of work of prose fiction (short story, novelettes, or romance
novels), poetry (epic poetry, lyric poetry, and dramatic poetry), and drama (comedy,
tragedy, melodrama, and tragicomedy drama).
In this paper, the writer focuses on song lyric as the study. Song Lyric is an
art genre because consist of personal expression,2 therefore the song lyric is assumed
as a poem. Song is one of many ways to show or express what is in the heart. When a
song is composed, there are some ways for the songwriters to express their feeling
and make the message of that song clearly and easily understood. One of the ways is
using figure of speech and many songwriters have made their works using this style.
Figure of speech is a particular way to express an idea or concept through the usage
of language. This particular way is usually different from one person to another;
therefore, language style can represent someone’s character or personality.
Lyric often contains politic, social and economic themes as well as aesthetic
elements so can connote messages, which are culturally significant. These messages
can either be explicit or implied through metaphor, symbolism or other figure of
speech. It can be accepted that all literary works include lyrics are not come from an
empty culture. Therefore, all the literary works are reflection of social structure
whereas the songwriter products his/her works. In related with the assumption above,
the writer tries to analyze song lyrics one of 1990’s band Rage Against The
2 Alwi Hasan Dkk, Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, edisi III, (Jakarta: Balai Pustaka, 2000). p. 12
3
Machines (RATM). RATM was known as a band which always dares to speak the
truth, speak out against the injustice of government and their agencies and incite the
masses with an anger and vengeance that never seen before. The music of RATM is a
fierce and uncompromising, it is meld of funk and inspired to hard rock and
politically charged rap.
The members of RATM are Tom Morello, Zack de la Rocha, Brad Wilk, and
Tommy C. Tom Morello was the leader of the band. Tom graduated with honor in
1986 from Harvard University. Before this band formed, Tom and Zack were
concerned about the social issues in United States at their young age and later
became socialist rock rap musician.
RATM conside music as a vehicle for social activism, as the lead singer,
Zack de la Rocha, espoused: "Music has the power to cross borders, to break
military sieges and to establish real dialogue".3 The songs that use the literary
language that full of connotative meaning aims to attract the audience so the
messages of the song could be received well.
B. Focus of the Study
Based on the background of the study above, the writer will be focused on
analyzing the usage of figure of speech in Rage Against The Machine (RATM)
songs’ contribution in the building theme.
C. Research Questions
3 Protest Song, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, (November 5th, 2009). http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/komunikasi, p.1
4
The writer would like to discuss the problem of the thesis on title “The
Analysis of Figure of Speech Contribution in Theme Building within Rage Against
the Machine Songs Lyrics” (Bullet in the Head, No Shelter) within three questions:
1. What kind of figure of speech is used in lyric of RATM ?
2. What are the meanings of the figure of speech used in the context of the song?
3. What is the contribution of the use of figure of speech in theme building?
D. Objective of the Study
Based on the research questions presented above, the general objective of the
study is to achieve comprehensive understanding regarding the use of figure of
speech in building theme of the lyric of Rage Against The Machine. The specific
objectives of the research are as follows:
1. To know the kinds of figure of speech commonly used within the lyric of RATM
2. To know the meaning of the figure of speech used in the context of the songs.
3. To know the contribution made by the use of figure of speech in theme building.
E. Significance of the Study
The research has two important significances; they are theoretical and
practical significances.
1. The theoretical significances are to enlarge the knowledge of linguistics and
literary study especially stylistics, the linguistics study of style; and to enrich the
research of linguistic and literary study therefore it will be more various.
2. The practical significances are to provide further knowledge about figure of
speech and to provide comprehensive understanding about the theme of the lyric.
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F. Research Methodology
This research methodology consists of some important aspects of the research
such as the method of the research; technique of data analysis; research instruments;
unit analysis; place and time of the research.
1. The method of the research
In this research, the writer uses content analysis method which concerns
in the effort of extracting and interpreting the theme in the lyric RATM.
2. Technique of data analysis
The verbal data collected from the singles of RATM will be analyzed
qualitatively based on figurative of speech and any related theories or
approaches.
3. Research instrument
The instrument of this research is the writer himself as the main
instrument in collecting data through many ways such as collecting, reading,
identifying, and giving other important notes the data source.
4. Unit analysis
The unit analysis used in this research is the lyric of RATM taken from
their different singles and different albums Bullet In the Head from their self-
titled debut album “Rage Against the Machine” in 1992, and the single No
Shelter from the “Evil Empire” album in 1996.
5. Place and time
The research is conducted in Jakarta.
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CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
A. Style and Stylistics
The figure of speech often considered as the synonym of the stylistics, but in
fact the figure of speech is part of language style. The language style has many wide
references, According to Hari Murti Kridalaksana, the style (language) have three
definitions, there are:
1. The utilization of someone’s language properties of speaking and writing.
2. The usage of particular style to achieve the certain effects.
3. The whole language character of group of writers4 .
Stylistics is the study of varieties of language whose properties position that
language in a context, and tries to establish principles capable of accounting for the
particular choices made by individuals and social groups in their use of language. A
variety, in this sense, is a situationally distinctive use of language. For example, the
language of advertising, politics, religion, individual authors, etc, or the language of
a period in time, all are used distinctively and belong in a particular situation.
Stylistics also attempts to establish principles capable of explaining the particular
choices made by individuals and social groups in their use of language, such as
socialization, the production and reception of meaning, critical discourse analysis and
literary criticism.5
4 Hari Murti Kridalaksana, Kamus Linguistik Edisi 3. (Jakarta: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 1993).
p.63 5 Stylistics (Linguitics), Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (January 2nd 2010).
http://en.wikipedia/wiki/stylistics p. 1
7
The efforts of understanding, application, and applying of rhetoric to get the
artistic effect were called as stylistic appreciation of the stylistics’ object such as
proverb, idiomatic, associative sentence, and style.6 Style here can be referred to
style of language.
Based on the language aspect, style of language can be divided into style of
language based on diction. Tone on discourse, sentence structure, and style of
language based on direct and indirect sense.7 The style of language based on the
indirect sense is usually called as figure of speech.8
B. Figure of Speech
In daily conversation, we use the common way to deliver our message. That
common way will surely be responded by ordinary response as well. But sometimes
we need something different that actually represent in our heart so that the listener
can understand what we actually meant. We can choose many ways to deliver the
message to the receiver. We can give more different nuance sense by usage of figure
of speech.
Figure of speech is word that used in a discourse or text to give certain
emphasis of an ideas or feeling. A figure of speech is a use of a word that diverges
from its normal meaning, or a phrase with a specialized meaning not based on the
6 Suparman Natawidjaja, Apresiasi Stilistika (Jakarta: PT Intermasa, 1986), p.5 7 Gorys Keraf, Diksi dan Gaya Bahasa (Jakarta: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2002). P. 116-117 8 Ibid, p. 129
8
literal meaning of the words in it such as a metaphor, simile, or personification.
Figures of speech often provide emphasis, freshness of expression, or clarity.9
Perrine defines the figure of speech in the book of Sound and Sense, “Figure
of Speech is anyway of saying something other than the ordinary way”10 the usage of
figure of speech is the special way to get special intention of something that said
special, it means that the usage of literary work is not taken literally. The advantages
have been widely known that everybody uses it all the time in attempt to give
freshness to what they say.
The figure of speech is in need because it attracts attention and more forceful,
easier to be remember and encourages reflection, it is better for illustration, and it
also can simplify the complex word.
Numbers of figure of speech that used by most people, there are:
1. Simile
Simile is specific comparison by means of the word “like” or “as”
between two kinds of ideas or objects like a metaphor, simile also compares two
different things, but it uses a connotative word. Simile is a figure of speech in
which an explicit comparison is made between two things essentially unlike. The
comparison is made explicit by the uses of some words or phrases as “like, as,
than, similar, or resembles, or seems”11
Simile is a direct, expressed comparison between two things essentially
unlike, but resembling each other in at least one aspect. It is a device both of art
9 Figure of speech, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, (November 6th 2009).
http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/figure of speech, p.1 10 Laurence Perrine, Sound and Sense (London: Harcourt Brace College Publisher, 1991) p.61 11 Ibid p.28
9
and explanation, comparing the unfamiliar thing to be explained to some familiar
thing known to the reader. As the example “she floated in like a cloud”
2. Metaphor
Metaphor is usage word or phrase, it is indicate one kind of idea or object
to replace other word or phrase for suggestion of likeness between the two.12
Figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object
/idea is used in place of another dissimilar object/idea to suggest a likeness;
ascribing to the first some of qualities of the second.
Unlike a simile or analogy, metaphor asserts that one thing is another
thing, not just that one is like another and the emphasized laid on the quality
between the comparative signifiers.
Based on the appearance of the comparative words, there are two kinds of
metaphor. One, explicit metaphor, is marked with the appearance of two
comparative words. For example from the line of Robert Herrick’s poem below;
You are tulip seen today, but dearest, of short a stay there were you grew scarce man can say
Herrick uses metaphor to express his feeling to his sweetheart. He images
his sweetheart with beautiful and charming tulip. Here both the comparative
words appear, “you” (girl) between “tulip” are explicit.
Other kind of metaphor is the implicit metaphor, which its form based on
shift of meaning. Same as simile, in metaphor, there are 2 comparative words.
However, one of the comparative word doesn’t appear or implicit. This feature
12 Figure of speech, Microsoft encharta 2009. (Nov 8th 2009). p. 1
http://www.encarta.com.
10
causes change the reference and shift of meaning, so it causes the matter of
collocation, the compatibility of meaning of two or some unit of linguistic that
appears series in the same utterance. This thing may be the problem of
understanding in metaphor. For example, “a dirty dog stole my money”, the word
“dirty dog” is one of the comparative word, but it is not collocated with the word
“steal money” because literally the dog (animal) has no meaning to steal the
money, thus the word “dirty dog” have the shift meaning followed with the word
“steal money” change the reference to the “man” that can use the money and steal
the money full of tricks just like the character of a dirty dog. Here the
comparative component aspects have the same quality of meaning.
Metaphor and simile are both terms that describe comparison things that
are essentially unlike: the only difference between a metaphor and simile is that a
simile makes the comparison explicit by using some words or phrase such as like,
similar to, or seems; while in metaphor the identity asserts without such a
connective.
3. Personification
Personification consists in giving the attributes of a human being to an
animal, an object, or a concept. It is a really subtype of metaphor, an implied
comparison in which the figurative term of the comparison is always a human
being.13 James Stephens uses a personification in his poem The Wind. The poet
expresses the wind like human which has legs, fingers, and hands.
The wind stood up and gave a shout He whistled on his fingers and
13 Perrine, op.cit. p. 64
11
Kicked the withered leaves about And trumped the branched with his hand And said he’s kill and kill and kill And so he will and so he will
4. Metonymy
Perrine says that metonymy is the use of something closely related for the
thing actually meant.14 Metonymy is the use of a word or phrase for another to
which it bears an important relation, as the effect for the cause, the abstract for
the concrete and similar construction.15 Therefore, metonymy threat one thing as
another that is associated with it.16
In metonymy one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it
is closely associated; also, the rhetorical strategy of describing something
indirectly by referring to things around it. For example, “the order came directly
from the White House.” The word “White House” refers to the President of
United States of America.
5. Symbol
Symbol is the representation of something, complex, general, or abstract
that suggests some further meaning in addition to it. Symbol is a figure of speech
that combines a literal and sensuous quality with an abstract or suggestive aspect.
Perrine says that “a symbol may be roughly defined as something that means
more than what it is.”17 It is closely connected with denotation and connotation
14 Ibid. p. 65 15 Micrsoft Encharta (2009), loc. cit. 16 Philip Damon, et. Al. Language Rhetoric and Style (New York: McCraw-Hill Book Company,
1966), p. 77 17 Perrine, op.cit. p. 80
12
meaning. Symbol is the part of structure that could not be paid attention that is
caused of its function in understanding the works meaning.
The word that we use in daily conversation has literal meaning or usually
denotative referred to object directly without referring to the other meaning. The
Road Not Taken by Robert Frost for instance, concerns a choice made between
two roads by person out walking in the woods. It concerns more than the choice
of paths in a wood, for that choice would be relatively unimportant, while this
choice will make a great difference in life. Thus, we must interpret the choice of
the road as a symbol of any choice in life.
Image, metaphor and symbol shade into each and are sometimes difficult
to distinguish. In general, however, an image means only what it is: the figurative
term in metaphor means something other than what it is, and a symbol means
what it is and something more, too. A symbol, that is, functions literally and
figuratively at the same time.18
6. Hyperbole
According to Perrine, Hyperbole or overstatement is “simply
exaggeration, but exaggeration in the service truth.”19 In hyperbole, the
understatement passes beyond realistic and logical thinking, but actually has
logical meaning, the speakers are overstating their statement and to emphasize
something. Hyperbole is used with the redundantly pressure to get intensive
effect. For example, “my backpack weighs a ton”.
18 Ibid. p. 80 19Ibid. p. 101
13
7. Synecdoche
Synecdoche is a figure of speech whereby the part is made to stand for the
whole, the whole for a part, the species for the genus, and vice versa.20 A kind of
figure of speech that uses a part of something to state the whole of it (pars pro
toto) or use the whole to state a part of it (totem pro parte). The example of pras
pro toto is in the sentence “he has many mouths to feed” the word mouth
constitutes a part of the body whose function to eat but the word here actually
represent of the whole body of people. And the sentence “use your head to figure
it out”, the word head is used is actually points out for replacing brain, in other
words, the whole of something is used to refer to a part of it (totem pro parte).
8. Allegory
Allegory is a narrative or description that conveying the meaning beneath
the surface.21 The name and event in Allegory may be abstract but the purpose is
always clear. The meaning of Allegory should be drawn up to the surface in
understanding it. Although the surface story or description may have its own
interest, the author’s major interest is in the ulterior meaning.
When Pharaoh in the bible, for instance, has a dream in which seven fat
kine are devoured by seven lean kine, the story does not really become significant
until Joseph interprets its allegorical meaning: that Egypt is to enjoy seven years
of fruitfulness and prosperity followed by seven years of famine. Allegory has
been defined sometimes as an extended metaphor and sometimes as series of
related symbol. But it is undistinguishable from both of these. It is unlike
20 Microsoft Encharta (2009). Op. cit. p.1 21 Laurence Perrine (1991), op cit. p. 88
14
extended metaphor in that it involves a system of related comparisons rather than
one comparison drawn out. It differs from symbolism in that it pus less emphasis
on the images for their own sake and more on their ulterior meanings. Also, these
meaning are more fixed. In allegory there is usually one-to-one correspondence
between the details and a single set of ulterior meanings. In complex allegories
the details may have more than one meaning, but these meanings tend to be
definite. Meaning do not ray out from allegory as they do from symbol.
C. Theme
Theme is the critical idea of literary work. In its simplest meaning, theme is
meaning of story, central idea, or basic story. According to Pickering, theme is also
used sometimes to refer the basic issue, problem, or subject with which the work is
concerned.22 Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and may be implied
rather than stated explicitly. In literary term, theme is the central idea or insight that
unifies the total work, it is also the main point an author wishes to make about his
subject. The reader will also understand the main points in a work if they know the
theme of the work. The theme is what made the topic. The theme is a comment from
the topic that has implications on the story. Together with the plot, characters, setting
and theme style is considered as one of the fundamental components in the work of
fiction. So, in a theme contains about attitudes towards the subject of author main
thoughts. In an effort to find and interpret the theme in works of fiction, there are
several criteria:
22 James H. Pickering and Jefferey D. Hoeper, Concise Companion to Literature. (New York:
Macmillan publishing, 1981). p. 61.
15
1. First, that interpretation should consider every detail the story that seemed major.
2. Second, the interpretation of the theme of a work of fiction should not be
contradictory to each detail of the story.
3. Third, the theme of the story cannot be interpreted solely based on estimates,
something that is imagined in the story, or less reliable information.
4. Fourth, the interpretation of the theme should be based on direct evidence there is
or is depicted in the story.23
23 Sayuti A. Suminto. Berkenalan dengan prosa fiksi. (Jogjakarta. 2000). p. 195-196
16
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH FINDINGS
1. Bullet in the head
A. Data Description
a. The background song
Labeled from Epic studio, Bullet in the Head was a single released by
RATM from their debut album on November 6, 1992 named with its self-titled Rage
Against the Machine, But the single Bullet in the Head early made its live debut at
their first public performance at Cal State in the Quad, on October 23rd, 1991. The
album, Rage Against the Machine went to #1 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart, and
#45 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. The video clip was recorded in a BBC
warehouse in New York. While it is not often cited, this isn't a mimed video.
This single refers to the band's belief that the government uses media to
control the population, drawing comparisons between typical residences and
Alcatraz.
b. The Lyric
“BULLET IN THE HEAD”
Rage Against The Machine
This time the bullet cold rocked ya
A yellow ribbon instead of a swastika
Nothin' proper about ya propaganda
Fools follow rules when the set commands ya
Said it was blue 5
17
When ya blood was red
That's how ya got a bullet blasted through ya head
Blasted through ya head
Blasted through ya head
I give a shout out to the living dead 10
Who stood and watched as the feds cold centralized
So serene on the screen
You were mesmerized
Cellular phones soundin' a death tone
Corporations cold 15
Turn ya to stone before ya realize
They load the clip in omnicolour
Said they pack the 9, they fire it at prime time
Sleeping gas, every home was like Alcatraz
And mutha fu***s lost their minds 20
Just victims of the in-house drive-by
They say jump, you say how high
Just victims of the in-house drive-by
They say jump, you say how high
Run it! 25
Just victims of the in-house drive-by
They say jump, you say how high
Just victims of the in-house drive-by
They say jump, you say how high
Checka, checka, check it out 30
18
They load the clip in omnicolour
Said they pack the 9, they fire it at prime time
Sleeping gas, every home was like Alcatraz
And mutha fu***s lost their minds
No escape from the mass mind rape 35
Play it again jack and then rewind the tape
And then play it again and again and again
Until ya mind is locked in
Believin' all the lies that they're tellin' ya
Buyin' all the products that they're sellin' ya 40
They say jump and ya say how high
Ya brain-dead
Ya gotta fu***n' bullet in ya head
Just victims of the in-house drive-by
They say jump, you say how high 45
Just victims of the in-house drive-by
They say jump, you say how high
Uggh! Yeah! Yea!
Ya standin' in line
Believin' the lies 50
Ya bowin' down to the flag
Ya gotta bullet in ya head
Ya standin' in line
Believin' the lies
Ya bowin' down to the flag 55
Ya gotta bullet in ya head
19
A bullet in ya head
A bullet in ya head
A bullet in ya head
A bullet in ya head
A bullet in ya head
A bullet in ya head
A bullet in ya head
A bullet in ya head
A bullet in ya head!
A bullet in ya head!
A bullet in ya head!
A bullet in ya head!
A bullet in ya head!
A bullet in ya head!
A bullet in ya head!
Ya gotta bullet in ya fu***n' head!
Yeah!
Yeah!
c. Corpus Data
Table 1
Bullet in the Head
No
Figure of Speech
Corpus Data
Lines
1 Symbol A yellow ribbon instead of swastika
2
2 Allegory Said it was blue When ya blood was red That's how ya got a bullet blasted through ya head
5-7
20
3 Simile Who stood and watched as the feds cold centralized
11
4 Metaphor Cellular phones soundin' a death tone
14
5 Metaphor Corporations cold Turn ya to stone before ya realize
15-16
6 Metaphor They load the clip in omnicolourSaid they pack the 9, they fire it at prime time
17-18
7 Simile Sleeping gas, every home was like Alcatraz
19
8 Metaphor Just victims of the in-house drive-by
21
9 Personification No escape from the mass mind rape
35
10 Metaphor Until ya mind is locked in 38 11 Metonymy Ya bowin' down to the flag 51
B. Data Analysis
a. Figure of speech analysis
The writer finds six kinds of figure of speech in the lyric of "bullet in the
head" they are symbol, metaphor, simile, Allegory, personification, and
metonymy. The analyses of the lines are:
1) A yellow ribbon instead of swastika (line 2; symbol)
Symbol is the visible object or action that suggests some further
meanings. The definition of the symbol proposed in chapter II of this thesis is
manifested within the statement “a symbol may be defined as something that
means more what it is.”
The word we use in daily conversation has the literal meaning or the
denotative or usually referred directly without reference to other meanings.
21
Phrases such as "Yellow Ribbon" and the word "Swastika" here says more
what it is.
The phrase “Yellow ribbon”, according to Wikipedia is a symbol with
various meanings, mostly associated with those waiting for the return of a
loved one or of military troops who are temporarily unable to come home.24
During the Gulf War 1990s, it being used along with the slogan "support the
troops", in the form of yellow ribbons tied to trees, and countless other
contexts. It often had the implied meaning of supporting the Desert Shield
and Desert Storm troop deployments themselves and/or loyalty- to President
George Bush, and therefore became somewhat politicized. It appeared again
during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq with similar meanings, most prominently in
the form of a yellow ribbon printed on magnetized material and displayed on
the outside of automobiles.25
The writer generally defines the symbol “Yellow Ribbon” as a symbol
of hope, a symbol of obedience, and loyalty from something that is reliable
and believed to serve and obey the nation.
The next symbol is Swastika; the use of the swastika was associated
by Nazi theorists with their conjecture of Aryan cultural descent of the
German people. Following the Nordicist version of the Aryan invasion
theory, the Nazis claimed that the early Aryans of India, from whose Vedic
tradition the swastika sprang, were the prototypical white invaders. The
concept of racial purity was an ideology central to Nazism, though it is now 24 Yellow Ribbon, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (March 2nd, 2010).
http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Ribbon, p.1 25 Ibid., p. 3
22
considered unscientific. For Rosenberg, the Aryans of India were both a
model to be imitated and a warning of the dangers of the spiritual and racial
"confusion" that, the leader believed, arose from the close proximity of races.
Thus, they saw fit to co-opt the sign as a symbol of the Aryan master race.26
The Swastika was the symbol of the Nazi Party and of Nazism in general now
illegal in Germany as it well known for their brutality.
These symbols mean the fighting in the wars being no better than the
Nazi’s regime but for some reason such action is supported in America
especially war for oil.
2) Said it was blue, When ya blood was red. That's how ya got a bullet blasted
through ya head (line 5-7; Allegory)
Allegory is extended metaphor in which a story is told to illustrate an
important attribute of the subject. Allegory is a figurative mode of
representation conveying meaning other than the literal. Allegory
communicates its message by means of symbolic figures, actions or symbolic
representation. It is rather what we would call an "illustration" or "incident."
The line contains figurative language of Allegory, it depicts a
narrative or descript that has a second meaning beneath the surface. In this
sentence, "said it was blue, When ya blood was red. That's how ya got a
bullet blasted through ya head". The word blue and red, after connecting and
analyze the lyrics as a whole, the writer concludes that the contradiction of
color illustrates the contradictions of the truth (the news). The songwriter uses 26 Swastika, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (March 2nd, 2010). http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika, p.10
23
it as an example depiction of contradiction, the songwriter could have a
comparison with other colors like white, black or otherwise but he simply
took the red and blue as sample.
The use of the word “blue” and “red” is the depiction of the influence
of American propaganda (television and other mass media) made by
governments that can alter the truth and deceive the public. Propaganda was
made to obtain support for specific ideas, opinions and other organized
according to plan and spread information in order to promote some reasons or
purposes.
3) Who stood and watched as the feds cold centralized (line 11; Simile)
The sentence describes the comparison between the “people” and
something living “(pets)” by using “as” as sign posting. The use of sign here
shows that the comparison is mentioned explicitly with each comparison
word of have the natural characteristics, the people are noble, sensible
creature compared with something mindless (animal) those have lower level.
In this sentence, the songwriter depicts the people who watch and
believe the media mind-distraction is like pets that feds/fooled by their
master.
4) Cellular phones soundin' a death tone (line 14; Metaphor)
This sentence illustrates the comparison between the Phrase "cellular
phones" with the words something that has reference to the "death tone"
(implicit). The phrase "Death tone" means a thing that has nature deadly
sound.
24
The songwriter compares the phrases “cellular phone” and “Death
tone”. Here the same component meaning is “have the sound deadly
qualities”. The songwriter compares the tone of cellular phone same as a
deadly tone.
The interpretation of the phrases "cellular phone" and "Death tone"
means incoming call from cellular is a death sign of the freedom of workers,
lose their freedom because they only care about their jobs, fear of job loss.
Incoming calls from boss who gave them several tasks must be comply with
the orders and complete their work as soon as possible, so as not to lose their
jobs.
5) Corporations cold Turn ya to stone before ya realize (line 15-16; Metaphor)
In this sentence, the songwriter uses the word “stone” compared with
the word “ya” (you/audiences). Here both the two comparative words are
appearing simultaneously so it makes us easier to interpreting them as
metaphor. As it states that the word “ya” (you) and “stone” compared with
their quality of meaning. The word “ya” (you) resembles as the same quality
with “stone” with the similar meaning component are; “quite”, “motionless”.
Meanwhile the distinctive meaning component that human has nature
characteristics; “living creature”, “dynamic”, “moving”, “growing”.
compared with the word stone; has the nature characteristic “material”, “non
living thing”.
The sentence is actually means the songwriter describing the people
just like stone once they get worked on a corporations, they will always obey
25
their boss without asking too much or even refuse it, depicted like stone that
can do nothing whether it realized or not the jobs separate them from their
freedom and the word cold refers to the corporation is unfriendly, ignored
they will order to their workers to do all of the order to finish it and do not
fail its seems like there are not warmly in the corporation.
6) They load the clip in omnicolor. Said they pack the 9, they fire it at prime
time (line 17-18; metaphor)
The writer finds some comparative words in the references. These
words literally are not linked but replaced with their respective successors.
Both of comparative words are not appeared but represent by its references.
They load the clip in omnicolor, said they pack the 9 They fire it at the
primetime. Phrase “Prime time” according to Wikipedia is the block of
programming on television during the middle of the evening. The term prime
time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period, for example, from
8:00 pm to 11:00 pm.27 These italic words are reference to “TV program”,
but they are not collocated with the word “fire”. Focus on the word "fire"
according to Oxford Learner’s Dictionary means “fire with guns”, “fire (a
bullet)”28 then this leads us directly associated with the word “guns”. So we
have found two comparison words that are “TV Show” and “gun”, here the
songwriter resembles them in metaphor. The two comparison words “TV
Program” and “gun” have the same meaning quality as a "tool" but the word
“gun” have meaning deadly that can kill living things because of a sharp 27 Prime time, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (March 2nd, 2010).
http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime time, p.1 28 Manser, Martin H, Oxford Learners’ Dictionary. (Oxford University Press. 1995). P. 50
26
bullet. While the deadly meaning of TV version is a shows can be powerful to
convince viewers with news that far from the truth and entertain viewers so
that they do not care about their environment.
7) Sleeping gas, every home was like Alcatraz (line 19; simile)
The word “like”, between the word “home” and “Alcatraz” obviously
is a comparison in the sentences. The songwriter compares the word “home”
we have known as places to stay and to find peace and comfortable with the
places that well known as a horrible place in the middle of sea and used as
jail, Due to its isolation from the outside by the cold, strong, hazardous
currents of the waters of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz was used to house Civil
War prisoners as early as 1861.
Alcatraz known as an island located in San Francisco Bay, 1,5 miles
offshore from San Francisco, California. Often referred to as The Rock, the
small island early-on served as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military
prison, and a Federal Bureau of Prisons federal prison until 1963.29
The songwriter compares the word "home" and "Alcatraz" since the
people enjoyed the products of this mass mind control, they would
mesmerized can’t go outside just like people who being jailed.
8) Just victims of the in-house drive-by (line 21; Metaphor)
This sentence contains metaphor. Here one of the comparative words
appears explicitly and the other is implicit. One of the explicit signifier is
word “victim” and the other word (implicit) refers to the audience who 29 Alcatraz. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (March 2nd, 2010).
http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcatraz, p.1
27
listening to the song represented by word “you”. The songwriter describes the
comparison between the word “you” and “victim” have the same meaning
quality as “a suffer object”
The author resembles “audience” (implicit) as “victim”, but it cannot
be understood literally because, as in the home, a place called away from the
danger is said as a victim in their own home. This sentence is to emphasize
the meaning of people who enjoy all the product of propaganda issued by the
government as victims of lies and setting the victim of mind distraction,
losing their consciousness to do something good and useful.
9) No escape from the mass mind rape (line 35; Personification)
Personification is a special kind of metaphor in which human qualities
or attributes are given to an inanimate object. Personification occurs when the
songwriter attributes an inanimate object, concept, or an abstract idea with
human qualities or with human action. In this sentence, the word "mass"
refers to "mass media" compared to a word that contains one of human
quality character "rape". The word “Rape” is clearly refers to “man”. The
comparative words in this line are “mass media” (explicit) and “man”
(implicit) with the comparative meaning component "attack unceasingly"
meanwhile each of these words has the different nature character as mass
media; inanimate object, no feeling, emotion and desire compared with the
word man; it is human beings, have feeling, emotions and desire.
The songwriter personifies the word mass media have the same
meaning with the word “rape”. The word “rape” is used to emphasize the
28
attacks of mass media to influence audiences’ minds resemble as a person
who raped.
The songwriter used this personified sentence to make the lyric
interesting. This figure of speech emphasizes the thought’s transfer to the
audience more exciting.
10) Until ya mind is locked in (line 38; Metaphor)
The sentence consists of metaphorical statement. Within the sentence,
the songwriters compares the word “mind” and something that have reference
with word “locked in” for instance, briefcase. Here the songwriter metaphoric
the two word “mind” and “briefcase” with the same meaning component
“something that can locked” and the each distinctive meaning component
mind; “memory”, “part of a person’s brain where one’s thoughts” and the
word briefcase is; “non living thing” .
The songwriter uses the phrase “locked in” ideally used in something
that can be locked such as door, briefcase etc. The use of this word is to
emphasize meaning to get attention and more interesting. If this is interpreted
literally, it is impossible to locked people’s mind because physically we can’t
lock people’s minds.
11) Ya bowin' down to the flag (line 25; Metonymy)
This sentence contains a metonymy. The word “flag” does not directly
refer to color cloth, but this word is a substitute that referring to the
nation/state.
29
This sentence is formed with phrase “bowing down” and “flag”.
Quoted from Learners dictionary word “bow” means bend forward as assign
of respect or as a greeting, submit to something, accept to something
authority.30
The phrase bowing down and the flag represent of the pursuance of
the nation (Flag) people of America enlisted in forces and others support fight
wars for oil.
b. Theme building analysis
The song tells us about modern product of mass media have great
influence on society and culture. The songwriter describes the TV, work, and
other propaganda distracting people, people are busy to think about themselves.
The mass media are always spoiling and provoke them to follow the dominant
culture for one purpose. America's urban lifestyle and modern force people to see
the mode, they only care about the lifestyle; mass media lure them to buy
products and change their mindset into consumerism. The songwriter tries to
raise American society awareness and other listeners. The songwriter criticizes
and curse listener in order to not to be tempted and do the right thing of their
lives.
The use of figure of speech intended to stimulate people’s awareness. The
usage of figure of speech within the lyric is to contribute in theme building. The
songwriter effectively pictured the theme conveyed that built in efficient way.
30 Oxford Learners’ Dictionary. op. cit. P. 44
30
For example, the songwriter mostly uses metaphor and simile in comparing and
making the message clearly understood. He compared the word "you" with
"stone" in corporation cold turn ya to stone before ya realize sentence and the
word “Home” and “Alcatraz” in sleeping gas every home was like Alcatraz. The
songwriter makes the comparative compassion between those words are to gain
the sensuous and emphasize the expression. In “bullet in the head”, the
songwriter personifies the manner of the mass media by using word “rape” which
means the mass media attacks incessant in influencing the minds of people
personified like rape people.
By using a comparison figure of speech like simile, metaphor, and others
figure of speech, The songwriter tries to stimulate the audiences’ consciousness
for not influenced by the media pro-government, for that, the songwriter
compares the audience with some objects in order to emphasize the message in
the song. Furthermore, the use of slang words, the stressing, are the techniques of
the songwriter mixed with rap makes the song are more special than the other
songs.
This and other figure of speech analyzed have proven that the theme is
conveyed clearly in more sensuous way. The songwriter tries to simulate the
hearer’s imagination.
All of these figure of speech analysis have proved that the theme is
clearly send in a more sensation way. The songwriter tried to stimulate listener’s
imagination with the use of figure of speech.
31
2. No Shelter
A. Data Description
a. Song Background
The single “No Shelter” from the second album, Evil Empire released on
April 1996 almost four years after the debut in 1992, Rage Against The Machine.
The single was the soundtrack for the block buster Godzilla, a thunderous
performance amid the listless surrounding tracks. RATM had established a
reputation of vitriolic lyrical politics accompanied by funk-laden guitar lick and
heavy metal sound. “No Shelter” proudly followed in this tradition. Lead vocalist
Zack de la Rocha attacks the entertainment industry and Hollywood film like
Rambo, yet the most potent lyric clearly addresses the motion picture Godzilla,
the film the soundtrack was to promote.
By this single, the band received three nominations from the MTV Video
Music Awards, but has yet to win an award. As the single “no shelter” was
nominated as best metal performance. No Shelter made its live debut on January
28th, 1999, at the Continental Arena in East Rutherford, NJ. That show was a
benefit show for the convicted murderer Mumia Abu Jamal.
The song is about how the mass media distract the public from more
important issues in the world and manipulate people's minds. The song discusses
consumerism and criticizes the feigned rebelliousness of teenaged consumerism,
mentioning Nike and Coca-Cola particularly.
32
b. The Lyric
“NO SHELTER”
Rage Against The Machine
The main attraction distraction
Got you number than number than numb.
Empty your pockets son they got you thinkin' that
What you need is what they sellin'
Make you think that buyin' is rebellin' 5
From the theaters to malls on every shore
The thin line between entertainment and war
The front line is everywhere there'll be no shelter here
Still burn the nightmare works you pushin' for,
I'm a snap of the whip, the true feather to tar 10
Memroy erased and promise gone,
Tradin' your history for a V.C.R.
Cinema simulated life in trauma
Forthright culture, Americana
Chained to the dream they got you searchin' for 15
The thin line between entertainment and war
There'll be no shelter here,
The front line is everywhere.
There'll be no shelter here,
The front line is everywhere. 20
There'll be no shelter here,
The front line is everywhere.
33
There'll be no shelter here,
The front line is everywhere.
Hospitals not profitful 25
The market bulls got pockets full
To advertise some hip disguise
View the world from American eyes
The parmagon keep fiendin' for more
The thin line between entertainment and war 30
Fix the need, develop the taste,
Buy the products, or get laid to waste
Coca-cola was back in the veins of Saigon
And Rambo troops We got a dope pair 'a Nikes on
Godzilla pure motherfu***n' filler 35
Get your eyes off the real killer,
Cinema simulated life in trauma
Forthright culture, Americana
Chained to the dream they got you searchin' for,
The thin line between entertainment and war. 40
There'll be no shelter here,
The front line is everywhere.
There'll be no shelter here,
The front line is everywhere.
There'll be no shelter here, 45
The front line is everywhere.
There'll be no shelter here,
The front line is everywhere.
34
American eyes, American eyes,
View the world from American eyes, 50
Bury the past, rob us blind,
leave nothing behind.
American eyes, American eyes,
View the world from American eyes,
Bury the past, rob us blind, 55
leave nothing behind.
Just stare.
Just stare.
Just stare.
Just stare. 60
Or live in the nightmare.
c. Corpus Data
Table II
No Shelter
No
Figure of Speech
Corpus Data
Lines
1 Metaphor The thin line between entertainment and war
7
2 Metaphor
The front line is everywhere there'll be no shelter here
8
3 Metaphor I'm a snap of the whip, the true feather to tar
10
4 Metaphor Chained to the dream they got you searchin’ for
15
5 Metonymy The market bulls got pockets full 26 6 Metonymy View the world from American eyes 28 7 Metonymy Coca-cola was back in the veins of 33
35
Saigon 8 Metonymy And Rambo troops We got a dope pair
'a Nikes on 34
9 Metonymy Godzilla pure motherfu***in' filler Get your eyes off the real killer
35
10 Metaphor Or live the nightmare. 61
B. Data Analysis
a. Figure of speech analysis
There are only two kinds of figure of speech found in No Shelter lyric, they
are Metonymy, Metaphor. The writer analyzes it as below:
1) The thin line between entertainment and war (line 7; Metaphor)
In this line, the songwriter uses metaphor in comparing and contrasting.
This sentence illustrates the comparison between the word “entertainment”
and “war”. The comparison of the word “entertainment” here and also the
usage of phrase “thin line” consider that there are few different and have a
some similarities between the word "entertainment" and "war". The
songwriter describes that entertainment is the media to influence people to do
something or accept something, for example, change people become
consumerism oriented to get profits for some companies and the media also
give entertainment to entertain people, distracting them from big social
problems. People will enjoy the entertainment and unable to leave the show.
For several people who are aware of this situation, this is one form of
American propaganda to turn them from the big issues whom government
made such Iraq and other wars. The songwriter sees the mass media is just a
distraction, and he considers this situation described as a war, a war against
36
imperialism, the war between the power of influence of mass media with the
awareness of society not to trust the information from the mass media and not
mesmerized continually by the mass media.
2) The front line is everywhere there'll be no shelter here (line 8; Metaphor)
Although one of the comparison words is not mentioned, the
songwriter is metaphorically comparing the normal circumstances (implicitly)
with war situation. Precisely he describes and compare the “current
condition/normal condition” is considered as “war situation”, the use of the
phrase “front line” is the term used by most armed force services worldwide.
It is a battle space control measure that designates the forward-most friendly
and hostile forces that are presently on the battlefield during an armed
conflict or war; whether it be regular infantry or reconnaissance. It can also
identify the forward location of covering and screening forces. Normally the
FLOT is placed before, beyond, or at the forward-most edge of the
battlefield.31 The phrase "no shelter" means that there is no place or
somewhere that give protection from the hazards of war.
The songwriter describes the normal situation as a war situation, his
awareness of mass media dangerous that always influence people's minds,
entertainment make a lot of products and influence people's minds to buy and
turn their mind into consumerism oriented community.
31 Front line. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (March 5th, 2010).
http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/front_line p.1
37
3) I'm a snap of the whip, the true feather to tar (line 10; Metaphor)
The songwriter parables himself as a whip of an executioner, he
resembles his voice just like a snap of the whip, high intonation intended to
be heard and noticed by the audiences.
4) Chained to the dream they got you searchin' for (line 15; Metaphor)
The songwriter metaphorical this sentence compares the comparative
word "you" and something can be chained for instance, animal. The
songwriter compares the word “you” and “animal” (implicit) with the
comparative components meaning "something that can be chained" and the
each distinctive meaning components are “you” (man/human); honorable,
intelligent creatures and the word “animal”; living creatures except humans
that can only moved without thinking.
The songwriter uses the word "chain" in this sentence to make it
interesting. He can use a rope but said he used the word chain to give
emphasis to the sentence.
5) The market bulls got pocket full (Line 26; Metonymy)
The sentence above using the word "bulls” and “pocket full" as a
metonymy for that words and phrases should not be interpreted literally but
should be interpreted from the reference in order to get the meaning of the
sentence.
The meaning of word “bulls” is not animal (cow), but an abbreviation
of the slang word “bulls**t” which means “lies” and represent of word
“advertisement”. And the meaning of "pocket full" is not bag that full of
38
something, this phrase refers to "profit" which indicates that the word pocket
is a place where we put the money.
This sentence means that all advertising products are lies that seduce
people to buy products make profit for the company.
6) View the world from American eyes (line 28; Metonymy)
The phrase "American eyes" literally interpreted as part of human
organs to see something or visual, but the addition word of “American” is not
literally as a whole eyes of Americans, the songwriter uses it to describe
something. The word “eyes” is not as a visual organ to see something but in
this case the American eyes are representing of their “lifestyle/culture”. The
songwriter describes phrase “American eyes” as a dominant culture in the
world, pushing its culture and ideas on the rest of the world.
7) Coca-cola was back in the veins of Saigon (line 33; Metonymy)
The word Cola-cola in this sentence is Metonymy since the word
Coca-cola refers to a well known brand. By this sentence, the songwriter says
so much in so little, he exercises the mind of the hearers to make the
connection between the words.
By hearing the word “Coca-cola”, the hearers is able to make
connection between the brand “Coca-cola” with something company that big
or enormous drink brand product of America. The Coca-Cola drink has a high
degree of identification with the United States, being considered by some an
39
"American Brand" or as an item representing America. The identification
with the spread of American culture has led to the pun "Coca-Colanization".32
The second word of Metonymy is Saigon. The Saigon itself represent
of Capital of South Vietnam, it refers to the event called “The Falls of
Saigon”, the capture of Saigon by the North Vietnamese Army on April 30,
1975. The event marked the end of the Vietnam War and the start of a
transition period leading to the formal reunification of Vietnam under
communist rule.33
In this war the American alliance with South Vietnam where there are
many American civilians who live around the area of conflict. The action
itself is the American intervention in the Vietnam wars was not aware solely
to evacuate civilians but their ideological interference in the country. Like the
Vietnam wars, America is now back again to Saigon affect people with their
ideas represented in terms of Coca-colanization.
8) And Rambo troops We got a dope pair 'a Nikes on (line 34; Metonymy)
The songwriter mentions this movie character representing of
America, and the brand of Nike is refers to the lifestyle and culture of
America. The songwriter depicts the lifestyle and cultures of America have
been spread out to the entire world especially to the young generation as they
called as Rambo troops wearing Nike.
32 Coca-cola. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (March 5th, 2010).
http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca-cola p.1 33 Fall of Saigon. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. March 5th, 2010.
http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Saigon p.1
40
9) Godzilla pure motherfu***in' filler
Get your eyes off the real killer (line 35; Metonymy)
In this sentence, the songwriter uses the word “Godzilla” here is
referenced from the “entertainment” since this title film was the sample of the
entertainment products intended to entertain and distraction of people. Rage
Against The Machine criticizes the film industry, including the title of motion
picture “Godzilla” as it interpreted that the entertainment industry is working
in conjunction with the government to keep the citizens complacent and
unaware of the big issues of the world so that why it saying “get you eyes off
the real killer”.
10) Or live the nightmare. (line 61; Metaphor)
The songwriter mentions the normal condition compared with
nightmare. This sentence is metaphorical. The songwriter mentions and
depicts them as the nightmare; an event or experience that is intensely
distressing. The songwriter aware the danger of propaganda as the nightmare
that always mocking people.
b. Theme building analysis
This kind of rhetorical songs are the songs from Rage umpteenth time that
criticizes the government. This song especially attacks the entertainment and the
American economic agents. This song tells about the mass media that is used to turn
people from problems in the world. The entertainment world constantly influence
people into consumerism that only care about themselves, needs, and fulfill their
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lifestyle. The songwriter called “view the world of American eyes” to all of the
culture oriented from American culture, thus this is the main role of mass media that
can change the world as its central theme, however, is media control over public
sentiment.
The use of figure of speech in this lyric gives a significant contribution in
theme building. The songwriter exploits them well, and they have even proven able
to produce a sense that cannot be seen or explained from the clip. The use of some
comparative figure of speech such as metaphor, the songwriter tries to make
comparative between the things with the audience to stimulate their consciousness
and realize the danger of the mind-distraction mass media. The line The thin line
between entertainment and war, metaphorical the words between “entertainment”
and “war”. This is obviously stimulating the hearer mind to make connection with
the lyric.
This and all other figure of speech also other references such as word Rambo,
Coca-cola, etc of the lyric have said so much in so little word. Because it attracts
attention and to encourage reflection. They are there to help the songwriter build the
theme and deliver it to the hearers.
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CHAPTER IV
CONCLUSION
Rage Against The machine (RATM) was the rap rock metal band ever which
all of the song themes conscious of social life. It follows with their predecessors’
artists, band criticizes of social life around them. It appears with their characteristics,
RATM attracts the fans especially youth people. Mixed with kinds of various music
genre rock, rap, metal, hard core makes this band different from the other band.
The writer proposes and analyzes the lyric which contains figures of speech
from their singles; “bullet in the head” and “No shelter” taken from their different
album; Rage Againts The Machine in 1992 and Evil Empire in 1996. The analyses
are including the detection of figure of speech, the determination of the kind of them
and the relation of their contribution in building the theme.
The six kinds of figures of speech within the lyric of RATM singles in the
album Rage Against The Machine and Evil Empire to be analyzed are Allegory,
Simile, Metaphor, Symbol, Metonymy, and Personification.
Then the writer concludes that, as those of visual means can describe
something to the audience clearly by presenting the picture or story, figure of speech
has the quality to do the same thing. Furthermore, figure of speech can describe
things in more sensuous way. By this different way, they can show the hearer
something that isn’t seen in the clip. The conclusion is supported by the fact that the
use of figure of speech in the lyrics gives the contribution to the theme building. By
using them, the thought of songwriter is declared more clearly, and freshly. The
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songwriter uses those particular words and makes the theme be more sensuous than
ordinary language. By choosing those words, he emphasizes the meaning and
transfers his thought to the hearer more completely.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alwi Hasan Dkk, Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, edisi III, Jakarta: Balai Pustaka, 2000
Hari Murti Kridalaksana, Kamus Linguistik Edisi 3.Jakarta: PT Gramedia Pustaka
Utama,1982 Suparman Natawidjaja, Apresiasi Stilistika Jakarta: PT Intermasa, 1986 Gorys Keraf, Diksi dan Gaya Bahasa Jakarta: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2002 Laurence Perrine, Sound and Sense London: Harcourt Brace College Publisher, 1991 Sylvian Barnet, et al. An Introduction to Literature: Fiction, Poetry, Drama New
York: HarperCollins College Publishers, 1993 Philip Damon, et. Al. Language Rhetoric and Style New York: McCraw-Hill Book
Company, 1966 Manser, H Martin. Oxford Learner’s Dictionary. New edition. Oxford university
Press, 1991 Pickering, H. James and Jeffrey D. Hooper, Concise Companion to Literature, New
York: Macmillan, 1981 Palmer. Semantics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press: 1976. Teeuw, A, Sastra dan Ilmu Sastra, Jakarta: Pustaka Jaya, 2003 Sayuti, A. Suminto. Dr, Berkenalan dengan frosa fiksi, Yogyakarta: Gama Media,
2000 Jav van Luxemburg, mieke bal, willem G. westsjeijn, pengantar ilmu sastra, Jakarta:
Gramedia: 1986 Jabrohim, Metodologi penelitian sastra, Jogjakarta: PT. Hanindita Graha Widya,
2002 Sudjana, H Nana dan Awal Kusumah. Proposal penelitian di perguruan tinggi,
Bandung: Sinar Baru Algensindo, 2000
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Okke Kusuma Sumantri Zaimar, Majas dan Pembentukannya. Makara, Sosial Humaniora, Vol. 6, No. 2, Desember 2002 01_majas%20dan%20pembentuk_Okke%20KSZ.pdf
http://www.encarta.com. http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/figure of speech http://en.wikipedia/wiki/stylistics http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/komunikasi http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox, http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Ribbon, http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcatraz http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/front_line http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca-cola http//:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Saigon
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APPENDIX
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band formed in 1991 in Los Angeles, California. Rage Against the Machine are notable for their innovative blend of alternative rock, punk rock, hip hop, heavy metal and funk as well as their politics and lyrics. Rage Against the Machine drew inspiration from early heavy metal instrumentation, as well as rap acts such as Afrika Bambaataa, Public Enemy and Urban Dance Squad. Rage Against the Machine was ranked 33rd on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock list in 2005.
Rage Against the Machine, has been one of the most popular 'social-commentary' bands of the last 20 years. A fusion of the musical styles and lyrical themes of punk, hip-hop, and thrash, Rage Against the Machine railed against corporate America ("No Shelter," "Bullet in the Head"), government oppression ("Killing in the Name"), and Imperialism ("Sleep Now in the Fire", "Bulls on Parade") etc. Early History
In 1991, guitarist Tom Morello left his old band, Lock Up, looking to start another band. He was in a club in LA where Zack de la Rocha was freestyle rapping. Morello was impressed and asked him to be a rapper in a band. Morello drafted drummer Brad Wilk of Greta, who had previously auditioned for Lock Up, while de la Rocha convinced his childhood friend Tim Commerford to join as bassist. The newly christened Rage Against the Machine named themselves after a song de la Rocha had written for his former popular underground hardcore punk band, Inside Out.
Shortly after forming, they gave their first public performance in Orange County, California, where a friend of Commerford's was holding a house party. The blueprint for the group's major-label debut album, demo tape Rage Against the Machine, was laid on a twelve-song self-released cassette, the cover image of which was the stock-market with a triple match taped to the inlay card. Not all 12 songs made it onto the final album—two were eventually included as B-sides, with the remaining three songs never seeing an official release. Several record labels expressed interest, and the band eventually signed with Epic Records. Morello said,
"Epic agreed to everything we asked—and they've followed through.... We never saw a[n] [ideological] conflict as long as we maintained creative control." The band's debut album, Rage Against the Machine, reached triple platinum
status, driven by heavy radio play of the song "Killing in the Name," a heavy, driving track featuring only eight lines of lyrics. The album's cover featured Malcolm Browne's Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of Thích Quảng Đức , a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, burning himself to death in Saigon in 1963 in protest of the murder of Buddhists by the US-backed Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm's regime.
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After their debut album, the band appeared on the soundtrack for the film Higher Learning with the song "Year of tha Boomerang." An early version of "Tire Me" also appeared during the movie. Subsequently, they re-recorded the song "Darkness" from their original demo for the soundtrack of The Crow and also "No Shelter" appeared on the Godzilla soundtrack. Despite rumors of a break up for several years, Rage Against The Machine's second album, Evil Empire, entered Billboard's Top 200 chart at number one in 1996, and subsequently rose to triple platinum status. The song "Bulls on Parade" was performed on Saturday Night Live in April 1996. Their planned two-song performance was cut to one song when the band attempted to hang inverted US flags from their amplifiers ("a sign of distress or great danger"), a protest against having Republican presidential candidate Steve Forbes as guest host on the program that night.
The following release, The Battle of Los Angeles also debuted at number one in 1999, selling 450,000 copies the first week and then going double-platinum. That same year the song "Wake Up" was featured on the soundtrack of the film The Matrix. The track "Calm Like a Bomb" was later featured in the film's sequel, 2003s The Matrix Reloaded. Break-up and subsequent projects (2000–2006)
Togetherness with RATM, the singer, Zack de la Rocha became one of the most visible champions of left-wing political causes around the world while advocating in favor of Leonard Peltier and Mumia Abu-Jamal, and supporting the Zapatista movement in Mexico. He spoke on the floor of the UN, testifying against the United States and its treatment of Abu-Jamal. Rage's second and third albums peaked at number one in the United States, but did not result in the political action de la Rocha had hoped for. He became increasingly restless and undertook collaborations with artists such as KRS-One, Chuck D, and Public Enemy.
On October 18, 2000, de la Rocha released a statement announcing his departure from the band. He said,
"I feel that it is now necessary to leave Rage because our decision-making process has completely failed. It is no longer meeting the aspirations of all four of us collectively as a band, and from my perspective, has undermined our artistic and political ideal." The band's final studio album, Renegades, released shortly after the band's
dissolution, was a collection of covers of artists as diverse as Devo, Cypress Hill, MC5, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. Renegades achieved platinum status a month later. The following year saw the release of another live video, The Battle of Mexico City, and 2003 saw the release of a live album titled Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium, an edited recording of the band's final two concerts on September 12 and 13, 2000 at the Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. It was accompanied by an expanded DVD release of the last show, and also included the previously unreleased music video for "Bombtrack".
After the group's breakup, Morello, Wilk, and Commerford teamed up with former Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell to form a new band, Audioslave, after
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briefly searching for a vocalist to replace De La Rocha. The first Audioslave single, "Cochise", was released in early November 2002, and the debut album, Audioslave, followed to mainly positive reviews. Their second album Out of Exile debuted at the number one position on the Billboard charts in 2005. The band released a third album named Revelations on September 5, 2006. The band vowed to have a "one-album-per-year" schedule, until the departure of Chris Cornell on February 15, 2007.
Morello began his own solo career in 2003, playing political acoustic folk music at open-mic nights and various clubs under the alias “The Nightwatchman”. He first participated in Billy Bragg's Tell Us the Truth tour with no plans to record, but later recorded a song for Songs and Artists that Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11, "No One Left". In February 2007, he announced a solo album, entitled One Man Revolution, which was released in April 2007. Morello followed up his first studio album with The Fabled City which was released on September 30, 2008. During the latter of his career as “The Nightwatchman”, Morello joined up with Boots Riley and formed the rap rock group Street Sweeper Social Club, which released its debut self-titled album in June 2009.
Meanwhile, de la Rocha had been working on a solo album collaboration with DJ Shadow, Company Flow, and The Roots' Questlove, but dropped the project in favor of working with Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor. Recording was completed, but the album will probably never be released. A collaboration between de la Rocha and DJ Shadow, the song "March of Death" was released for free over the World Wide Web in 2003 in protest against the imminent invasion of Iraq, and the 2004 soundtrack Songs and Artists that Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11 included one of the collaborations with Reznor, "We Want It All". In late 2005, de la Rocha was seen singing and playing the jarana with Son Jarocho band Son de Madera on multiple occasions.
Members of the band had been offered large sums of money to reunite for concerts and tours, and had turned the offers down. Rumors of bad blood between de la Rocha and the other former band members subsequently circulated, but Commerford said that he and de la Rocha saw each other often and went surfing together, while Morello said he and de la Rocha communicated by phone, and had met up at a September 15, 2005 protest in support of the South Central Farm. Political views and activism
Integral to their identity as a band, Rage Against the Machine voice revolutionary viewpoints highly critical of the domestic and foreign policies of current and previous US governments. Throughout its existence, RATM and its individual members participated in political protests and other activism to advocate these beliefs. Especially the lead singer Zack de la Rocha and Tom Morello had their experiences about racism when they were children. Zack, son of Roberto "Beto" de la Rocha, played an integral part in his son's cultural upbringing. Beto was a muralist and member of Los Four — the first Chicano art collective to be exhibited at a museum (LACMA, 1973). De la Rocha's grandfather was a Sinaloan revolutionary who fought in the Mexican Revolution and an agricultural laborer in the US. Later, de la Rocha would see the hardships his grandfather endured reflected in the struggles of the Zapatistas (also known as EZLN). When de la Rocha was a year old,
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his parents separated. He and his German-Irish mother, Olivia de la Rocha, moved from East Los Angeles to Irvine, California, where she attended the University of California at Irvine and earned a Ph.D. in Anthropology. Zack described Irvine as;
"one of the most racist cities imaginable. If you were a Mexican in Irvine, you were there because you had a broom or a hammer in your hand." Tom morello had his experiences as witness of discrimination in America
since he worked in the office of California Democratic Senator Alan Cranston. However, the experience was a negative one for Morello, who decided not to pursue a professional career in politics. One of them was the fact that 80 per cent of the time he spent with the Senator, he was on the phone asking rich people for money. It just made the understanding that the whole business was dirty and he had experience of some people who phoned the office talking about racial discrimination in their place. Morello said of wage slavery in America:
“America touts itself as the land of the free, but the number one freedom that you and I have is the freedom to enter into a subservient role in the workplace. Once you exercise this freedom you've lost all control over what you do, what is produced, and how it is produced. And in the end, the product doesn't belong to you. The only way you can avoid bosses and jobs is if you don't care about making a living. Which leads to the second freedom: the freedom to starve”
At the Coachella 2007 performance, de la Rocha made an impassioned
speech during "Wake Up", citing a statement by Noam Chomsky regarding the Nuremberg Trials and subsequent actions by US presidents, as follows:
“ A good friend of ours once said that if the same laws were applied to U.S. presidents as were applied to the Nazis after World War II [...] every single one of them, every last rich white one of them from Truman on, would have been hung to death and shot—and this current administration is no exception. They should be punished. As any war criminal should be”.
On August 24, RATM played Alpine Valley in Wisconsin. They made another speech during Wake Up;
“We played this show at Coachella Pavilion. It was our first show back. I said a few things from the stage, and the next day Fox News ran this whole piece about us saying that the Presidents should be assassinated. But those fascists always get it wrong when they just want to pin a band in the corner for standing up.
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What we said was that the whole Bush Administration should be put on trial for war crimes and then hung and then shot, that's what we said.
But besides that it made me think about something. It made me think, "what are they so afraid of?" It made me think about what scares them. Is it really four musicians from Los Angeles who've got a point of view? Is it really just this music and these rhythms and these words? Is that what they're scared of? I thought I'd think about it and you know what? My conclusion is this: nah, they ain't scared of us, they're scared of you! They're scared that you might come election time and throw Bush and Cheney and all them fascists out of power! That's what they're scared of! And let me say this: the Democrats are scared of you too! Because they know that you see through their lies too. Because when Bush was wiretapping, spying on citizens, torturing innocent people – they were supposed to be the people to defend us from them, and they didn't do that! So the Democrats are scared of you too. Why? Because they know they're coming to power and they're taking it all for granted, but they're scared because they know that if they don't start pulling troops from Iraq that you're going to go and burn down every office of every Senator that doesn't do the job.
Well I will say this, that the world is watching us now. The whole world is watching us. The brothers and sisters in South America who are dealing with this imperialist violence have got their eyes on us. Our brothers and sisters in Iraq got their eyes on us. Because we are the ones that are prepared to, and going to, put and end to this nonsense. So Wake Up. Come on, Wake Up! Wake Up!” Subsequently, de la Rocha added Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister who
supported and facilitated George Bush's 2003 invasion of Iraq, to the list of those who ought to be tried and hanged at the Reading Festival on August 22, 2008. The Reading and Leeds Festivals organizer announced after the 2008 festival that Zack had requested Friday and Saturday slots specifically so he could be back in the US for the Democratic and Republican conventions taking place in the week of the 25th.
On August 27, 2008, Rage Against the Machine played a free concert in Denver at the Denver Coliseum during the 2008 Democratic National Convention in protest against the war in Iraq. After the concert, the band joined members of The Coup and Flobots in an anti-war protest march from the Denver Coliseum to the Pepsi Center led by Iraq Veterans Against the War.