Learn English with the song "I Am a Rock"

"I Am a Rock" by Simon & Garfunkel, 1966

1. A winter's day
   In a deep and dark December
   
2. I am alone
   Gazing from my window to the streets below
   On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow
   I am a rock
   I am an island
   
3. I've built walls
   A fortress deep and mighty
   That none may penetrate
   I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain
   It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
   I am a rock
   I am an island
   
4. Don't talk of love
   Well I've heard the word before
   It's sleeping in my memory
   I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died
   If I never loved, I never would have cried
   I am a rock
   I am an island
   
5. I have my books
   And my poetry to protect me
   I am shielded in my armor
   Hiding in my room, safe within my womb
   I touch no one and no one touches me
   I am a rock
   I am an island
   
6. And a rock feels no pain
   And an island never cries.

Comprehension Questions:

1. A metaphor (noun) is when one thing is a symbol for another thing.

What are the two metaphors in this song?

2. a. In stanza 3, why does the narrator of this song say he doesn't need friendship?
b. Do you agree with his reasoning?

3. Disdain (verb) means to look down upon something as inferior.

a. What does the narrator disdain?
b. Why do you think he disdains these things?

4. In the 4th stanza, the narrator talks about love. What do you think happened to him in the past?

5. a. What does the narrator use to protect himself?
b. Do you think these things are effective as protection from him getting hurt?

6. The final stanza of the song reveals the meanings of the metaphors. What are they?

7. What is your opinion about living life with the intent to never feel pain? Is this a life worth living? Why or why not?

8. Do you have any other thoughts about this song you would like to share with others? Leave them in the comments below.

Answers:

1. There are 2 metaphors in this song: rock and island. The narrator is comparing himself to a rock and to an island.

2. a. The narrator says he doesn't need friendship because it causes pain.
b- Whether you or agree with him or not is a matter of opinion; there is no right or wrong answer.

3. a. The narrator disdains laughter and loving.
b. He disdains laughter and loving because at one time in the past, he got close to someone and they hurt his feelings.

4. The narrator probably feel in love with someone who then later hurt him. Maybe they broke up with him. The details of this answer are open to interpretation.

5. a. The narrator uses books and poetry to protect himself.
b. This answer is subjective and open to interpretation.

6. Being a rock means an escape from feeling pain.
Being an island means an escape from sadness.

7. The answers to these questions are subjective and open to interpretation.

8. If you would like to share your thoughts about this song, feel free to leave them as a comment below.

Header photo by Joey Kyber