Homework 2_ Anglo American Ballads
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
University of California, Berkeley *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
26AC
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by DoctorRockLobster39
1.
After reading Stanley Hyman’s article “The Child Ballad in America” answer the
following questions:
a.
What is Hyman’s argument regarding the nature of change in ballad text between
the “Old” and “New” World Versions?
Hyman’s argument regarding the nature of change in ballad text between the “Old” and “New”
World Versions involve adaptation and transformation processes. Due to the American culture’s
conducive atmosphere for positive, rational, and moralistic beliefs; Hyman claims that American
renditions of Child ballads frequently deviate away from its tragic and morbid parts in favor of
more realistic touches like Christianization, mawkishness, and senseless elements. This
divergence frequently takes the form of minimizing or omitting supernatural elements, tragic
epilogues, explicit sexual themes, and kin-murder. Also, Hyman states how narrative and
dramatic actions are lost. To summarize, Hyman argues that the Child ballad in America “has
become inadequate narrative, aborted drama, happy-ending tragedy, corrupt and meaningless
verbiage, and bad poetry in general.”
b.
The House Carpenter Ballad was also known in Scotland as The Daemon Lover.
After comparing these versions, do you agree with Hyman’s claims regarding
ballad change in the US? Use evidence from the song to support your perspective.
After comparing these versions, I do agree with Hyman’s claims regarding ballad change in the
US. To begin with, unlike the supernatural lover in The Daemon Lover, The House Carpenter
shifts the focus to a more earthly and humanizing carpenter; which displays how the ballad was
modified to reflect American themes and supports Hyman’s argument on how supernatural
elements end up disappearing. While the lover sank the woman into the sea in The Daemon
Lover, The House Carpenter completely omits this tragedy.
2.
Compare the recordings of “The House Carpenter” by Joan Baez and Jean Ritchie. Note
similarities and/or differences in the following:
a.
Vocal Style: The vocal style of “The House Carpenter” by Joan Baez enhances the
dramatic quality of the ballad by changing vocal range (varying pitches),
emotional depth, expressive dynamics, and accurate enunciation. The vocal style
of “The House Carpenter” by Jean Ritchie embraces the authentic and traditional
Appalachian sound; reflecting the folk aesthetics of the Appalachian ballad
tradition with its unembellished, storytelling-focused vocal style and minimalistic
approach. Jean Ritchie also maintains a higher pitch than Joan Baez throughout
their recording.
b.
Texture and Instrumentation: The texture of “The House Carpenter” by Joan Baez
is homophonic with the voice as the melody and the guitar as the instrumental
accompaniment. The texture of “The House Carpenter” by Jean Ritchie is
monophonic with the voice as the melody (solo voice a cappella).
c.
Form: Both Joan Baez’s and Jean Ritchie’s versions of “The House Carpenter”
follow the strophic form. They both consist of multiple verses with the same
melody repeated for each verse. Each verse furthers the narrative by adding
details or advancing the plot.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help