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Analysis of Symbolism in the Song's Watchtower

Read the following set of song lyrics from Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" and respond to the two questions below. Be sure you provide evidence and commentary for your insight that connects back to your overall claim.

Source 1

“There must be some way out of here,” said the joker to the thief, “There’s too much confusion, I can’t get no relief. Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth, None of them along the line know what any of it is worth.”

“No reason to get excited,” the thief, he kindly spoke, “There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke. But you and I, we’ve been through that, and this is not our fate, So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late.”

All along the watchtower, princes kept the view, While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too. Outside in the distance, a wildcat did growl, Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.

"All Along the Watchtower" by Bob Dylan (1967)

Question 1

Short answer

What symbolic significance does the watchtower hold in the song, and how does it influence the mood and atmosphere of the piece?

Question 2

Short answer

Compare and contrast the roles of the joker and the thief in the context of the watchtower's symbolism. How do these characters contribute to the thematic elements of the song?

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