The song “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan uses a variety of techniques such as figurative language and imagery as well as symbolism to portray the issues faced in society primarily pertaining to the idea of inequality in society as well as the idea of coming of age in our society by those individuals who are better off than others. He brings out the idea that ‘good times don’t last’ and how no matter how wealthy, rich or satiated a person is with their life, there will always be a time when none of this will exist and how eventually everyone is faced with hurdles and troubles in their path.
Dylan uses metaphors to describe the political and economical status of the girl who is the predominant subject of the song. He describes her as a “princess on a steeple” and uses this visual imagery to describe a girl who is on her high horse and is treated as royalty and can get anything she desires. The word princess especially shows her wealth and her mannerisms and the type of status that she holds. Such “princesses” are shielded from society and its real side from a young age, they have not explored the true effects of it and have not been exposed to its potential brutality. The “steeple”, a tall church tower also conveys an idea that these kinds of people often thought of themselves as better than others and looked down upon the street-people and always considered themselves as better, more educated and knowledgeable people. However, Dylan also hints on their downfall and how at some point they will fall off this steeple that they have gotten so accustomed to being on. However much their arrogance and wealth was, they will face a period of bad times and they will also be faced with the challenges that affect everybody else. By presenting a sort of utopia and then crushing it down to almost nothing shows their downfall and therefore implies that life is constantly changing, but they will need to face reality eventually.
The singer uses the phrase “rolling stone” which is a shortened version of the phrase “A rolling stone gathers no moss” which often refers to a person who tends to move around a lot and doesn’t have a lot of stability in their lives. The value of gathering mass is a result of someone who is willing to take up duties and responsibilities and has some form of consistency. So, in this song, Dylan uses this phrase to describe the girl of having no stability in her life and constantly tumbling down a downhill path, losing everything she has ever had and leaving anything important and real behind her, instead going from place to place without truly developing anything worthwhile almost as if she’s stuck in a downward spiral. Hence, he introduces the theme and main idea that ‘good times don’t last’ and everyone no matter how well off and fortunate they might be will eventually be faced with challenges. This idea is further developed by the phrases “dressed so fine” “finest schools” “juiced in it”, to portray the story of a girl who went to the most prestigious schools, wore the most expensive brands and spent all her time wasting her school-life being drunk. It shows that she took school and the lucky opportunity she had to learn and gain experience for granted and instead wasted it. Her good times and good fortune is conveyed in this part of Dylan’s song. However, he also goes on to explore that this bubble that she was encompassed in for so long only made her unprepared for the rest of her life. As she entered the real world with real responsibilities ahead of her, she struggled and she had to “live out on the street” and she then appreciated the chances she took for granted as she had to now deal with all her issues and problems individually with no external help or wealth to help her out.
In conclusion, Bob Dylan uses figurative language and metaphors to bring out the main theme of inequality and downfall in the song to portray a specific society of people who have been known to act this way.