Malmö University Publications
Change search
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
Performing Gender in Bob Dylan’s Lyrics: Masculinity, Femininity and Power
Malmö University, Faculty of Culture and Society (KS), School of Arts and Communication (K3).
2025 (English)Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 14 HE creditsStudent thesis
Abstract [en]

This essay explores how gender is constructed through the lyrics of Bob Dylan, across three time periods of his career. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative analysis with close readings, and thematic interpretation, the study focuses on representations of masculinity, femininity, and power dynamics. Drawing theoretical support from Judith Butler’s theory on gender performativity, Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis, and Deborah Cameron’s critique on gendered language myths, the study examines Dylan’s characters’ shifts over time, from one-dimensional and flat, to multifaceted and complex, all through the eyes of a male narrator. Relational themes such as desire and control - central to this paper - are likely to remain relevant decades from now, and the same can be said for Dylan’s body of work.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2025. , p. 29
Keywords [en]
Bob Dylan, gender representation, masculinity, femininity, gender performativity, Critical Discourse Analysis, imperatives, power dynamics, song lyrics
National Category
Comparative Language Studies and Linguistics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-77942OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mau-77942DiVA, id: diva2:1974646
Educational program
KS K3 English studies
Supervisors
Examiners
Available from: 2025-06-24 Created: 2025-06-23 Last updated: 2025-06-24Bibliographically approved

Open Access in DiVA

No full text in DiVA

Search in DiVA

By author/editor
Löwkvist, Oskar
By organisation
School of Arts and Communication (K3)
Comparative Language Studies and Linguistics

Search outside of DiVA

GoogleGoogle Scholar

urn-nbn

Altmetric score

urn-nbn
Total: 172 hits
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf