Rhetorical and musical synthesis and the strategies for inter-generational resonance in Queen's Bohemian rhapsody

<p>This study critically examines the popular rock anthem Bohemian Rhapsody to understand why the song has remained a lasting and eminently compelling standard for the progressive rock genre and why it has appealed through an inter-generational scope. Through the use of Close Textual Analysis (CTA), with an emphasis on metaphoric criticism, combined with Music Analysis of the score using popular song analysis tools, this study deconstructs the song and uncovered rhetorical strategies of the music and the lyrics as they function separately. In the conclusion, the two methodological approaches are synthesized to reveal the intertextual interanimation of the music and lyrics together, resulting in a complete musical experience that allows listeners from all generations and on all continents to enter the interpretive space of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS) in Communications

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Communication Studies

Year

2020

Author dc:creator

• Wiedman, Kiara

• Ethnomusicology
• Music Theory

Statement dc:rights

• Access is available to all users

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.ewu.edu/theses/632

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.ewu.edu:theses-1635