Imagine is a song that was written by the famous artist, John Lennon

Imagine is a song composed by John Lennon, a well-known musician. It was largely motivated by the need to promote global peace. Specifically, Imagine intended to evoke profound feelings in audiences about the daily challenges that we face as humans. The album was released in September 1971 and quickly became one of the greatest hits of all time. Many people were lovers of rock music at the time, making it possible to spread the desired message not just in the United Kingdom, but also in the United States and other developing countries. The strong liberation message in Lennon_x0092_s music found himself at loggerheads with many political leaders in the world that we’re surviving through the exploitation of the masses. Besides, not all leaders were playing their roles well in ensuring that the world was a better place to live that found Lennon to be intimidating.

Lennon adopted a straightforward approach to addressing fundamental issues that affect the society. He was asking the audience to imagine a world where there were no differences that cause divisions among the people like social-economic classes and religion. The political message in the song is sugar-coated with an outstanding melody to reach a wider audience. The song urges people to remain optimistic about the existence of peace and strive to make the world a better place. The theme is developed further through the last stanza, _x0093__x0085_someday you will join us_x0085_.world we live as one_x0094_.

There are many parts of the song where ethos can be identified like, _x0093_You may say that I am a dreamer_x0085_ the world will be as one_x0094_ (Rounds, 2007). Lennon further said that he is not the only one who believes in his rather weird idea, _x0093_imagine no possessions, and I wonder if you can_x0094_ (Rounds, 2007). In this line, the audience is challenged and made to concentrate more through the imagination that the author would proceed to write down. The statement was however odd yet so powerful given that he had everything he would ever want. If people did not have anything in their possession, the war would be shifted to controlling or acquiring the means making it worse than those who do not have it all. The idea of bringing these intriguing thought reinforces credibility, with the listeners/readers getting a chance to associate with his points.

The article further noted that the piece of poetry was more amusing when it was put into a song. Singing the composition was a way of establishing his pathos making listeners to be more glued to this masterpiece. The words at the end of every verse (Imagine all people living for today) were further meant to establish pathos, triggering imaginative thoughts and feelings of how life would be in such a scenario. The start of every verse with the word imagine was meant to create more emphasis on the need to continuously think and deeply get the emotions.

The article further established the presence of different types of logos which were more artistic. There are no difficulties in establishing the truth behind ideas because every thought was firmly anchored on common knowledge. Lennon words on the imagination of a world without religion, thus perpetual peace, makes the readers associate with the calamities, hatred, and killings emanating from the differences in religion, ideologies and other rifts that deprives of the world its peace. The tone, which is mostly formal managed to draw the attention of the targeted audiences in the citizenry and leadership positions. The latter, however, turns out to be having more responsibility in the promotion of the good vices in the society for peace to prevail. The relevance of his ideas in the modern world is held in great awe hence proving the efficiency in applying kairos. The effectiveness of using ethos, pathos, kairos, and logos in the song, as brought out in the article, had made the late John Lennon continue influencing generations in thinking of ways to make the world a better place.

A lesson can be drawn from the mixed reactions that were witnessed among many world leaders particularly those that were surviving through maximizing on the societal problems to ensure they maintained power and authority. The song was released during one of the most turbulent times in the American history when the Vietnam Conflict was ongoing between 1945-1975 (Prados, 2009). Like a section of the citizens believed, Lennon held the idea that the nation was engaging in a war that was not its own. The dire consequences were thousands of people being left dead in its wake. The message in the song therefore aimed at reestablishing peace both from within and outside the territorial boundaries. Besides, it is worth noting that failing to make world peace and opting to go into war as a measure of achieving world peace has been a costly process for both for countries who fail to dialogue or use soft power like effecting sanctions to harm the economy.

A rhetorical analysis of the paper has revealed that ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos were effectively used in passing the intended message. Besides, the way these rhetorical devices have been incorporated reveals that the composer was well versed with the knowledge of his field that requires deep imaginations and creativity. The choice of the sentences was also elegant with verses beginning with the word “imagine” and proceeding with an empathetic comment. A one goes through the lyrics, it is further evident that each verse becomes more challenging than the previous one. Lennon, therefore, played a significant role in spreading the message of optimism hope and optimism for all the people in the world regardless of their race, religion, nationality and ethnic background. Although looking like a communist manifesto that would not appeal in capitalistic setting, the good intentions and lessons ought to have been learned in pursuit of a high degree of happiness.

References

Prados, J. (2009). Vietnam: The history of an unwinnable war, 1945-1975. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas.

Rounds, D. (2007). The year the music died: 1964-1972: А commentary on the best era of popmusic, and an irreverent look at the musicians and social movements of the time. Austin, TX: BookPros, LLC