AN INTRODUCTION TO CONFESSIONAL WRITING

OBJECTIVES To learn about the characteristics of

confessional writing This is important because Robert Lowell

wrote what is termed ‘confessional poetry’

WHAT DO YOU THINK CONFESSIONAL WRITING IS?

Brainstorm as many words as you can! Memoirs- autobiographical. Perspective of things

that the writer has done in his/her life and his opinion of these events

How somebody feels. Personal feelings from deep inside. How it expresses individuality- relates to the confessional writer’s own writing

A way to express the writer’s inner anguish. Doesn’t necessarily have to be anguish.

Never going to be a particularly objective writing. Subjective in its nature

THE FEATURES OF CONFESSIONAL WRITING

Focused on the writer as an individual- his or her unique characteristics

Highly autobiographical Often written in the first person The ‘I’ is meant to be a representation of the flesh and

blood writer/composer Incorporates gritty personal details for emotional effect .

Personal problems such as strained family relationships et cetera.

The writer/composer confesses his/her sins to the audience Therefore Confessional writing often has shocking subject

matter

It is unflinching and extreme in its address and its diction

Think of confessional writing as a self-portrait of the writer, complete with all of his/her flaws and defects

ANTHONY KIEDIS: CONFESSIONAL WRITERLead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and a highly confessional lyricistHis hit song ‘Under the Bridge’, which we will listen to, deals with Kiedis’ past longstanding heroin addictionThe song culminates with an account of when Kiedis would inject heroin under a bridge in Los Angeles, which was a particularly low moment in his life

INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY Before we listen to the song, I would

like you to read the lyrics through once and underline any interesting poetic devices and literary techniques that you observe

UNDER THE BRIDGE http://youtu.be/GLvohMXgcBo We will listen to ‘Under the Bridge’ twice. In the first listening, I would like you to

get a feel for the song. Concentrate on the music and the lyrics.

In the second listening, I would like you to focus on the confessional nature of the song. Write down the features that make it a confessional song

CLASS DISCUSSION What features of ‘Under the Bridge’ make it a confessional song? Also

how does the song represent the concept of individuality? Think about the music and the lyrics

Before the solo, repetition of ‘Oh no’, ‘Oh yes’- insight to personal feelings. Articulates range of conflicting emotions-

Background of the video dissolves into clear sky- represents a Biblical image. Now that he has received her

Cuts into a wide shot. In the foreground of the shot, he is running and in the background, there is an atomic bomb explosion. Atomic bomb- symbolises the destruction that heroin has wreaked on his life. Shows how distressing experiences have defined him as an individual

Interlude- ‘ oh no’, oh yes- texture of the music thickens from a guitar to the vocals to a full band. Not thin and clean. In chorus, chords are p

Predominantly major and then goes into a minor phase- illustrating pain and anguish In between Second and third paragraph, suspended minor chord provides tension.

Foreshadows his depression and tension. Climax- I gave my life away- high pitched choral accompaniment. Reason- it’s because

the choir- represents the reinstatement of society after he has hit rock bottom . Reminding him of how bad his heroin addiction was. it is and controversial it is. Colour fill changes from purple to white.

Lyrics- personifying the city- his connection to the city is a very important part of who he is as a person. Lyricist’s use of repetition- ‘chorus repeated- ‘sometimes I feel’- anaphora. shows that he is secluded and that he doesn’t have any friends. Begins with A shot of Lone guitarist wearing unusual clothes. Video ends with the lone guitarist.

Last shot of a barren desert. Destruction is still there. Biblical allusion to Jesus- 40 days in the desert Jesus is tempted by the devil. Represents how Kiedis is tempted by the drug

Running from the bridge- running away from his drug addicted past. Atomic bomb explosiion in the background of the final shot represents him wanting to escape from his drug taking mentality. Symbolic. In the preceding scene, the camera is swaying and the lights

. The lights are distorted- represents his past state of intoxication.

Represents the seductive allure of downtown Los Angeles The shot which features his profile and the lone pillar represents his

loneliness and one aspect of his individuality. His feelings of isolation. ‘Lonely as I am’- inverted sentence. To emphasise his loneliness. ‘together we cry’- personifies the city. He sees the city as a companion- important part of who he is as an individual.

Wants to get a shocking incident in the past off his chest, so to speak. Wants to confess it.

He is the focal point of the camera. One shot features him dancing and the other half comprises a close up of his eye. Symbolic of eyes as windows to the soul. Confessional piece- attempt to get into the soul of the writer. Having the close up of the eye in the video clip== apposite for the purpose of the song- to confess his sins and to get into his soul.

Contains gritty details for emotional effect- song is about his heroin addiction.

The song is also in the first person- relates directly to Kiedis’ personal experience.

Individuality- Kiedis’ connection with her- being Los Angeles. Personifies Los Angeles as his only friend. Has lost his Connection with his friends and family

Tempo of the song is quite slow- reminiscent of a heart beat. It represents his introspection- appropriate. Slowing down to reflect on his life.

Song- heroin addiction has shaped who Kiedis is. Heroin was like K’s second girlfriend. It almost killed him. Heroin addiction killed his best friend.

Last shot Individual- repudiating the glamorous rock

and roll lifestyle- excessive drug taking. Brave action to write a song about his heroin addiction. To open up to the audience