The Quiet American - Station 9 - Dylan Song

At Station no. 6 you're asked to listen to a Bob-Dylan-song. Here is a link:

With God on Our Side

And here is another one, with a very young Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Very authentic sixties unplugged sound!

With God on Our Side

Here are the questions you have to work on:

With God On Our Side?

 Work with two or three students.

 You are going to listen to a song by Bob Dylan, who for many young people was the voice of conscience of their generation.

 1.     Have a look at the transcript on the separate sheet, in which a couple of words are missing. Read it and try to fill in the gaps. Then listen to the song and add the original words to the gaps. Compare both versions.

2.     In his song, Dylan criticizes people’s attitude to wars.

a. Say which wars he mentions and describe how people justify them.

b. What does he blame people for? Think of the title of the song. 

3.How does the song make you feel? Explain your reaction.

4.     Explain why Dylan might have been called the voice of conscience of his generation.

5.   Compare the attitude expressed in the song to Fowler’s and Pyle’s attitude in The Quiet American.

Be prepared to present your findings to the class.