Global issue
– Uniting different people for single purpose – movement for what is ethically right
– Need to adapt to the changing world to survive in the society
– societal values/norms we have to follow in order to be perceived normal
– Power: those in power exploring the masses / the commoners not getting their fair due in society
– beliefs and values: why society is the way it is

Recurring theme of changing time –> union
– Throughout this song, and as implied by the tile of the song, it is evident that Bob Dylan emphasizes on the inevitability of changing time. The repetition of the phrase “For the times they are a-changin'” at the end of each paragraph indicates the significance of changing time through not only mere repetition but also powerful characterization of times being changing by describing times being changing as a noun rather than an adjective. Change in time is directly expressed as the song reaches the end. Starting from the third last paragraph, the phrase “And it is ragin’” changes to “Rapidly agin’”, and eventually becomes “Rapidly fadin’”, indicating the inevitable altering nature of time. With the use of imagery such as “… or you will sink like a stone” and “there is a battle outside”, Dylan attempts to elicit a physical response from the audience and galvanize them into action by presenting a violent, visceral imagery to eventually propose an extreme option the audience is almost forced with – you either change or die. By showing a clear theme of changing time, one can relate this song to how many activists these days aim to unite people for universal happiness and peace.

Power
– The purpose of the song was mainly to persuade the audience to take actions regarding civil rights movement. However, relating this to the current society, this song can also contribute as a means to showing the power dynamics of the society where those in power have great control over the commoners. Such use of figurative language and tone of the song all imply the extreme options that the commoners are confronted with, and by suggesting that commoners should change and try to adapt to the new order, it can be inferred that those who possess the power have been exploiting them. Through providing a hope to such torment for the commoners (And the first one now Will later be last For the times they are a-changin’), Bob Dylan successively persuades the audience into believing the upcoming of new order where they will be better off than the past. Such power dynamic is present in the current society where those in power are capable of entirely controlling our lives, and regardless of our effort to change the situation, it is highly unlikely for the society to change even with the presence of hope.

Beliefs and Values
– Each paragraph in this song is aimed to represent one of the groups of the society, such as commoners, writers/critics, government, and parents. The descriptions on each group consists mainly of the stereotypes regarding their roles and position in the society. For example, for writers/critics, it is mentioned that they “prophesize with your[their] pen”, indicating how the society believes them to tell the truth, with the symbolization of “pen” as opinion and truth. Clear distinction in the stereotypical roles and values of certain groups of people shows us the reason the society is the way it is right now. The biased perceptions we have on certain groups of people determine their positions in the society, and given the power of media, such beliefs and values can easily become prevalent in the society. Even though the song was written almost 60 years ago, it still displays the reason as to why society still contains hierarchy where commoners tend to suffer from the powerful figures.