On October 13, 2016, Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition,” according to the Swedish Academy. Dylan was the first musician ever to win the Literature Nobel, and his victory stirred up a great deal of controversy within the literary community.
By awarding Dylan the Nobel Prize, the Nobel committee redefined the boundaries of literature, stretching them out to encompass not only novels and poems, but also lyrics and songs with poetic elements. It has been speculated that in ancient times, literature such as the work of Homer and Sophocles was performed orally by song. Such works are now classified as poetry and are still studied today. In accordance with this thinking, Dylan’s work should also be categorized as literature. While many reputable authors argued against Dylan winning the prize because of other deserving authors who were nominated, Dylan was deserving of the Nobel Prize in Literature due to the sheer impact his work had on the public, as well as the message contained within his lyrics.
Bob Dylan has been a constant musical presence for over five decades, writing over 300 songs. Due to the American musician’s popularity as an artist during the mid-1900s, his work reached many different types of people throughout the world, uniting them under a love for music. Dylan’s music stood out not only for his musical interpretations of the lyrics, but for the meaning behind the lyrics themselves. The musician has been recognized for his work numerous times, most notably when he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2012.
One of Dylan’s most notable pieces, “Blowin’ In the Wind,” was a protest in the form of a song that became extremely influential during the civil rights movement. The lyrics of the piece questioned the actions of authority figures and served as a call to action, and due to its form as a song, it was easily spread and understood. In another one of his famous songs, “With God on Our Side,” Dylan champions the anti-war movement, challenging the Vietnam War and the rationale for participating in it. In the song, Dylan sings “In the 1960s came the Vietnam War / Can somebody tell me what we’re fightin’ for? / So many young men died / So many mothers cried / Now I ask the question / Was God on our side?” Dylan’s music spoke to many through his unwavering ability to confront the actions of authority. Through his music, he acted as a social reformer and conveyed his messages to the general public. In his music, he was able to express his ideas in just a few eloquently placed words. For these reasons, Bob Dylan deserves his Nobel Prize.