Bob Marley Rhetorical Analysis

Improved Essays
Bob Marley’s Spiritual Rhetoric, the Spread of Jamaican Culture and
Rastafarianism

By
Mark Haner

Senior Seminar: Hst 499
Professor John L. Rector
Western Oregon University
June 16, 2007
Readers
Professor John L. Rector
…show more content…
Originally from Jamaica, a country very dependent on tourism, Marley captured the attention of audiences with different political and social views and offered his message to them subtly. The article titled Walk Good: West Indian Oratorical Traditions in Bob Marley’s Uprising 1 compares and relates this to the oral traditions used in the
West Indies as well as in West Africa, as tribal leaders used words, strategies, and rhetoric to capture the attention of their audiences. “In the West Indies as well as in West
Africa, the aesthetic appeal of an argument guarantees it validity. And because, controversially, a truth presented without skill is hardly the truth at all.” 2 The lyrics in the music Marley wrote and sang are much like these speeches and stories tribal leaders tell. Marley’s music has an aesthetic appeal with soothing and sometimes driving reggae tones and beats. Many people who may not comprehend or even listen to the lyrics
Marley sings, may still enjoy his music and the talent he displays with his instrumentation. 1

Hodges, Hugh. “Walk Good: West Indian Oratorical Traditions in Bob Marley’s Uprising.” Journal of
Commonwealth Literature 40.2
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The up and coming artists of this new

21
22

http://www.lyricsearch.net
Gilmore.

13

Jamaican sound began singing of their life stories and of the troubles and joys of being who they were as people much like calypso and mento. Quickly a community surrounded this music due to its great ability to relate to these true and personal stories through music. This music, which became known as ska after the rhythms it used, was not accepted by all however. Much like the rock and roll music of America, the Jamaican politicians and ministers viewed this music as disruptive and felt that it fueled the violence and disorderliness of the “rude boys.” “But the Rude Boys would soon receive an unexpected jolt of validation.” 23
Belly Full also known as Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) 24 is a call by Marley for the government to help the poor, starving people of Trenchtown as well as the world’s impoverished people.
Them belly full, but we hungry;
A hungry mob is a angry mob.
A rain a-fall, but the dirt it tough;
A yot a-yook, but d' yood no 'nough.
You're gonna dance to jah music,

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