Joy Williams's Song 'What A Good Woman Does'

Domestic violence plagues over 85% of women in intimate relationships. Fear is at the heart of domestic violence. Women of abuse hold this fear close to them because they fear what happens if they speak out on the men that strike them. The expectation of women to be loyal and hushed must come to an end. In the Joy Williams song “ what a good woman does” , she expresses the struggles that women must endure to fulfill the needs of their partner.
In order to overcome the reticence that is forced in relationships, it must be learned and meticulously taught that silence leads to resentment, and resentment leads to failure. Joy opens her song with the doubtful voice of her uncertainty. She reaches out and states that she can't carry the weight of “this war” or the quarrel that her and her partner …show more content…
As Joy begins her song, she starts out with a mezzo piano, andante sound. She is quiet mannered as if she is keeping something secretive. In the next few measures she begins to crescendo in her sound and tone, as if she is standing her ground. Her tone shows the pain, but yet faith that she has of her brutal relationship. Her tone is clearly stated within the desparate ballad and makes the story behind the song that much more meaningful. Her use of phrasing and word structure like “ everyone’s wounded, nobody’s one” are small phrases that are filled with the pain that innocent women face. The diction ties in with the tone of this piece,and figurative language was not used. Music doesn't always have a specific image that it is trying to portray, but rather gives emotion and phrases that can allow the listener to formulate their own interpretation. Overall this beautiful piece about abusive partnerships incorporates the 5 main things in poetry to heighten the listener’s