The Death of Emmett Till by Bob Dylan- Stasis Theory

Bob Dylan’s song “The Death of Emmett Till” utilizes stasis theories cause and effect, evaluation and ethical arguments to talk about the value of Emmett Till’s death. In the song, Bob Dylan described the brutal death of Emmett Till due to an unjust trial, crying that this type of trial “was a mockery,” and would consequently “let this human race fall down so God-Awful low.” With his publicity, Bob Dylan talks about the cause and effect of Emmett Till’s trial in order bring awareness to the awful crime and call everyone “[give] all [s/he] could give, [s/he] could make this great land… a greater place to live.” The Death of Emmett Till also uses the stasis theory evaluation and ethical arguments to talk about the value of this issue. Bob Dylan indicates that Till’s death is both terrible and disturbing which reveals a serious underlying issue that needs to be addressed to the nation. At the time, the diverse opinions between the North and South made the topic very controversial, but today, his death is viewed as both a good and bad. This death was bad in ways in that he did not deserve to be so viciously murdered, and for the ruthless murderers to be declared innocent. However, it is good that Till’s death acted as an catalyst to the Civil Rights movements, enraging Americans to take matters into their own hands and prevent this form of racism and favoritism towards one race from happening again.

-Ruoping Li