Did Bob Dylan really deserve the Nobel for literature, i.e., lyric poetry?

Question

Did Bob Dylan really deserve the Nobel for literature, i.e., lyric poetry?

Answer 1

I personally think so, yes...His lyrics are taught as literature in many college courses and deservedly so.



One trait of quality literature is that is timeless, and Dylan's protest songs are as relevant today as they were 50 years ago. Another is the ways in which it deals in universal themes and presents them in a relatable manner..Dylan's lyrics range from the epic and inspiring to the deeply personal and touching, and they deliver their message with a calculated simplicity difficult to impersonate.



"..his clothes are dirty but his hands are clean..."

"...but for the sky there are no fences facing..."



Two nine-word lines...no word over two syllables....and yet in less than 20 words Dylan expresses so much about humanity, humility, judgement, honesty and the limitless human spirit. There are authors who have struggled to do that in 700 page novels..

Answer 2

The Nobel Prize committee evidently thought so and so whether anyone else agrees is irrelevant.



Me? I can't stand his works, but I also really hate almost all poetry so I'm probably in the minority. No problem: nobody's forcing anyone to like Bob Dylan or his works and it's not compulsory to agree with the Nobel Prize awards.

Answer 3

Who knows? That's really up to the subjective musical and/or literary tastes of the judges who awarded it to him. They think he deserved, therefore, they gave it to him. I'm not familiar with Bob Dylan's work, so I don't know. I kinda think that the statement "Nobel Prize for Literature" means that it should be an award for authors that write literature, like literary fiction, but I'm not one of those judges. Hmm.

Answer 4

Sure

If nothing else he got people like you discussing the Nobel Prize and poetry.



Why should popular be the one thing a poet is not allowed to be?

Answer 5

I think so. Can't say that I'm a huge Dylan fan, but his music is like poetry and he's been at it for over 4 decades now with tons of fans.

Answer 6

It took him a while to say anything about getting the Noble award my thoughts were is he trying to be a rebellious teen, LOL Maybe he s just very shy poet & composer of good songs . Yes I think he did deserve it .

Answer 7

Absolutely. He was the greatest American poet of the 20th century; followed by Jim Morrison.

Answer 8

No,I figured it for a calculated insult of Leonard Cohen.

Answer 9

no he didn't Van Gogh didn't deserve to die in poverty but such is life the rich love his paintings today no good to him we make mistakes clearly

Answer 10

"Lyric poetry" does not mean the same thing as "song lyrics."