Student Question
What does the line "how many times must cannonball fly before they are forever banned" mean in Bob Dylan's "Blowing in the Wind"?
Quick answer:
The line "how many times must cannonball fly before they are forever banned" in Bob Dylan's "Blowing in the Wind" reflects a desire for peace and an end to war. It uses rhetorical questioning to critique ongoing conflicts, possibly referencing historical wars like the Revolutionary or Civil War, while symbolically addressing the broader issue of human conflict and the need for self-reconciliation. The song embodies the 1960s' spirit of rebellion and longing for harmony.
First of all, great song. Be blessed to know you have a cool English teacher for using this song in class as poetry analysis.
The song was first performed in 1962 and the lyrics are categorized by rhetorical questions. Clearly the sentiment here is reflecting the desire for peace and general rebellion of the sixties.
The line "How many times must the cannonballs fly before they are forever banned," is probably refering to war in general. Obviously the Vietnam war didn't use cannons, so Dylan is likely referring back to either the Revolutionary War or the Civil War. In this way, he's making two statements: "When are we going to stop fighting (wars)?" But more importantly, "When are we going to stop fighting with ourselves?"
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