Literary Elements in Praise You in the Storm, Essay Example

Many of the literary elements can be ascertained in various platforms and formats. Movies, song lyrics and television shows all germinate from the written word. Praise you in the Storm by the Christian rock band Casting Crows is a poignant example of how literary elements contribute to the power of the literary work. The song delves into a lyrical trope of preserving one’s faith despite difficult circumstances and incorporates various alternative sounds without its sound dynamic. The song writers deploy figurative language in order to make the struggle of the person–in this case, a girl named Erin who suffers from cancer–tenable for the listeners. The storm represents her struggles and obstacles on a quotidian basis. The singer praises her for being able to transcend her struggles and maintain her faith in God. The visual and auditory imagery of rain and storms underscores how difficult this young girl’s life has become due to her illness and debilitation. The auditory imagery of the thunder further enhances this notion as it functions as a reminder that, regardless of how hard a person’s life may seem, there are always other people who are suffering far worse and more acutely. The religious imagery and tropes are prominent in this song, which reflects the basic notion that God and Christianity are what saves the speaker during difficult times. As such, the girl who suffers from cancer should also turn to God and Christianity for salvation and for assistance as she struggles against such a life-threatening disease. Time and again the auditory imagery of thunder, crying, and howling wind appears in order to stress the anguish, pain, and fear that the subject of this song must endure. Such images of pain are juxtaposed against the repose and relief offered by one’s faith in God. As such, the religious currency of the song is put in the spotlight.

Works Cited

“Casting Crowns Lyrics.” N.d. Web. 4 Aug. 2015. http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/castingcrowns/praiseyouinthisstorm.html