plagiat merupakan tindakan tidak terpujiguns n' roses. sumber kedua adalah dari buku-buku...

“THE TRUE MEANING OF GUNS N’ ROSES’ TRILOGY

SONGS: “DON’T CRY”, “NOVEMBER RAIN”, AND

“ESTRANGED”

A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree

in English Language Education

By

Yustinus Ryan Ervianto

Student Number: 101214159

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM

DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION

FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION

SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA

2017

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

i

“THE TRUE MEANING OF GUNS N’ ROSES’ TRILOGY

SONGS: “DON’T CRY”, “NOVEMBER RAIN”, AND

“ESTRANGED”

A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree

in English Language Education

By


Student Number: 101214159

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM

DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION

FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION

SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA

2017


A Sarjana Pendidikan Thesis on

",THE TRUE MEANING OF GUNS N' ROSES' TRILOGYSONGS: "DON'T CRY", "NOVEMBER RAIN", AND

"ESTRANGED"

Approved by

Advisor

January 14, 2017

11


A Sarjana PendiJ,ikan Thesis on

"THE TRUE MEANING OF GUNS N' ROSES' TRILOGYSONGS: "DON'T CRY", "NOVEMBER RAIN", AND

"ESTRANGED"

Chairperson

Secretary

Member

Member

Member

Yogyakarta, February 8th, 2017

Faculty ofTeachers Training and Education

Sanata Dharma University

Rohandi, Ph.D.

111


iv

DEDICATION PAGE

Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of

wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth

alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

- John 12:24 (kjv) -


STATEMENTS OF WORK'S ORIGINALITY

I honestly declare that this thesis, which I have written, does not contain the work

or parts of the works of other people, except those cited in the quotations and the

references, as a scientific paper should.

Yogyakarta, February 8th, 2017

The Writer


101214159

v


LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAHUNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS

Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya Mahasiswa Universtas Sanata Dharma:

Nama

Nomor Mahasiswa

: Yustinus Ryan Ervianto

: 101214159

Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada PerpustakaanUniversitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul:

"THE TRUE MEANING OF GUNS N' ROSES' TRILOGYSONGS: "DON'T CRY", "NOVEMBER RAIN", AND

"ESTRANGED"

beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan dernikian, saya memberikankepada Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan, mengalihkan dalambentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan data, mendistribusikansecara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di internet atau media lain untukkepentingan akademis tanpa perlu minta ijin dari saya maupun memberikanroyalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya sebagai penulis.

Demikian pemyataan ini saya buat dengan sebenamya.

Dibuat di Yogyakarta

Pada tanggal: 8 Februari 2017

Yang menyatakan


VI


vii

ABSTRACT

Ervianto, Yustinus Ryan. 2016. “The True Meaning of Guns N’ Roses’ Trilogy

Songs: “Don’t Cry”, ”November Rain”, “Estranged”. Yogyakarta: English

Language Education Study Program. Department of Language and Arts

Education. Faculty of Teachers Training and Education. Sanata Dharma

University.

This study analyzes songs trilogy from Guns N’ Roses’. The trilogy consists

of “Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged”. “Don’t Cry” was released on

1991, while “November Rain” on 1992, and “Estranged” on 1994.

The aim of the study is to seek for the literal and deeper meaning of the

trilogy. There are two formulated problems in this study: (1) What do the songs

talk about? and (2) What is the meaning of Guns N’ Roses trilogy that can be

obtained through the study?

There are two sources used in this study. The primary source of this study

are the songs’ lyrics, “Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged” written by

Axl Rose, the vocalist of a legendary glam rock band Guns N’ Roses. The

secondary sources are books, related texts, and internet. The most prominent

theory employed to answer the problems formulation is Maslow’s theory of

motivation from his book “Motivation and Personality”. The approach used in

this study is psychological approach.

Based on the analysis, there are two findings. The findings are (1) the songs

talk about a love journey which flawed by lies and it ends up with regrets; and (2)

there are two meanings found in the trilogy songs, namely literal meaning and

deeper meaning. The literal meaning of the trilogy songs is about sincere love,

flawed relationship, and regrets. The deeper meaning of the trilogy songs is about

untrue love since true love, according to the third hierarchy of Maslow’s theory of

motivation (1970) is a love where two lovers are giving and receiving each other.

There is also a fear inside that imperfect relationship. The fear itself is actually a

kind of jealousy, while the flaw itself is actually fraudulence. In the end, those

three aspects are the things that cause the loss of Axl’s glory. The word glory here

is not only about a person but is also related to a dream. All in all, this trilogy is

about common problems that may end someone’s glory, dealing with wealth,

throne, and love. Moreover, this study also delivers some suggestions for further

researchers and teachers in relation to education.

Keywords: Don’t Cry, November Rain, Estranged, trilogy, literal meaning,

deeper meaning, true meaning


viii

ABSTRAK

Yustinus Ryan, Ervianto. 2016. “The True Meaning of Guns N’ Roses’

Trilogy Songs: “Don’t Cry”, ”November Rain”, “Estranged”. Yogyakarta:

Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris. Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni.

Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan. Universitas Sanata Dharma.

Penelitian ini menganalisis sebuah trilogi lagu dari Guns N’ Roses yaitu

"Don’t Cry", "November Rain", dan "Estranged". “Don’t Cry” dirilis pada tahun

1991, sedangkan “November Rain” pada tahun1992, dan “Estranged” pada

tahun 1994.

Tujuan dari studi ini adalah untuk mencari makna literal dan makna

mendalam dari trilogi lagu Guns N’ Roses. Ada dua hal yang menjadi

permasalahan utama dalam studi ini, yaitu: (1) Apa yang diceritakan oleh ketiga

lagu dalam trilogi tersebut? dan (2) Apa makna dari trilogi lagu Guns N’ Roses

yang dapat diperoleh melalui penelitian?

Terdapat dua sumber yang digunakan dalam studi ini. Sumber utama dari

studi ini adalah dari lirik lagu, "Don’t Cry", "November Rain", dan "Estranged"

yang ditulis oleh Axl Rose, vokalis legendaris dari band glam rock legendaris,

Guns N' Roses. Sumber kedua adalah dari buku-buku terkait, teks terkait, dan

sumber dari internet. Teori yang digunakan untuk menjawab rumusan masalah

dalam studi ini adalah teori motivasi dari Maslow dari bukunya “Motivation and

Personality”. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah

pendekatan psikologis.

Berdasarkan hasil analisis, terdapat dua temuan. (1) ketiga lagu tersebut

menceritakan tentang perjalanan cinta yang ternoda oleh kebohongan, dan

berakhir dengan penyesalan; sedangkan (2) terdapat dua makna pada trilogi lagu

tersebut, yaitu makna literal dan makna mendalam. Makna literal dari trilogi lagu

tersebut adalah cinta yang tulus, hubungan yang ternoda, dan penyesalan. Makna

mendalam dari trilogi lagu tersebut adalah tentang cinta yang bukan cinta sejati,

karena cinta sejati, menurut hirarki ketiga dari teori motivasi Maslow (1970)

adalah cinta di mana dua kekasih yang saling memberi dan menerima satu sama

lain. Di dalam hubungan yang tidak sempurna itu, terdapat rasa takut. Ketakutan

itu sendiri sebenarnya adalah kecemburuan, sementara ketidaksempurnaan itu

sendiri sebenarnya adalah kecurangan. Pada akhirnya, ketiga aspek tersebut

adalah hal-hal yang dapat mengakhiri kejayaan seseorang. Kejayaan di sini

bukan hanya berarti tentang seseorang, namun juga tentang impian. Secara

keseluruhan, trilogi lagu ini adalah tentang masalah umum yang dapat

menyebabkan berakhirnya kebahagiaan seseorang; yaitu harta, tahta, dan cinta.

Lebih lanjut lagi, studi ini juga memberikan beberapa saran bagi peneliti

selanjutnya dan kepada pendidik dalam kaitannya dengan dunia pendidikan.

Kata kunci: Don’t Cry, November Rain, Estranged, trilogy, literal meaning,

deeper meaning, true meaning


ix

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to Jesus Christ, my

Superhero and the true rock star of all time, for His unconditional love and

blessings in my whole life. All parts of this thesis and all processes are finally

done only because of his blessings.

I express my gratitude to my beloved family, my father Stefanus Sidik

Suwartono for introducing Glam Rock music to me and for influencing me to

listen to Slow Rock music, and my mother Bernadetta Sri Rosariyati for all the

love, supports, and prayers for me. I thank my parents for trusting me to pursue

my dream by taking the ELESP in Sanata Dharma University. I also would like to

thank my almost-twin-brother, Florentinus Dika Octa Riswanto, for all the love

he gives me, through his caring and our small disputation.

I would also like to express my gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Ant.

Herujiyanto, M.A., for helping me with my thesis. He has given me lots of

opportunities to learn and to grow through our meetings. He also let me fall, so I

can stand higher now. Then, I also would like to thank my academic advisor, Ms.

Henny Herawati, S.Pd., M.Hum., for her guidance along these past five years.

She has been a good mother for class PBI 2010 C students. I would thank her for

always burning our spirit to finish our study as soon as possible, through her

words and helps. Then, I would like to thank all the lecturers in the ELESP who

have taught me and who have given me opportunities to work with. All the time in

the ELESP has made me a better person.


x

I would like to thank to my partners in Geng Anggur; they are Bondan,

Yoga, Gallang and Estu, for always supporting me with laughs, swearing words,

and dirty conversations during the past learning activity in class. I also would

thank Jessy, for being my reminder to finish this thesis, for accompanying me,

especially for the past few months, and for having and supporting each other. I

would like to thank her for all the supports she has given to me.

My deep gratitude is also sent to all my friends in ELESP, especially PBI

2010 C, for always supporting each other academically and emotionally. I would

thank Mr. Heru’s thesis students for supporting, helping, and laughing each other.

I also would thank all of my friends from some different batches for sharing and

inspiring each other by spending our precious time everywhere.

I would like to thank to my second family; Sexen USD, to let me learn and

grow through the brotherhood. I also would thank to my bands; Lembah Nista,

Horse Shoe, VOC, and Orkes Kondas Warang, and all the members of the band

for giving me chances to learn and to grow by sharing. Then, I would like to thank

Sedulur Kantin for giving me chances to be a more open-minded person. I also

would thank KPK (Kontrakan Pinggir Kali) for being my most favorite

workspace to write my thesis.

At the end, I would like to thank everyone for all the supports, prayers, and

even the questions which have burnt my spirit to finish my thesis and my study in

the ELESP. I hope you will also be success in pursuing your dreams.



xi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE ................................................................................................. i

APPROVAL PAGE ....................................................................................... ii

DEDICATION PAGE .................................................................................... iv

STATEMENTS OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY ......................................... v

PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI ............................................ vi

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................... vii

ABSTRAK ........................................................................................................ viii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................... ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................... xi

LIST OF APPENDICES ............................................................................... xiv

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study ................................................................. 1

B. Objective of the Study ..................................................................... 3

C. Problem Formulation ....................................................................... 3

D. Benefits of the Study ....................................................................... 4

E. Definition of Terms ......................................................................... 4

CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

A. Review of Related Studies ............................................................... 7

B. Review of Related Theories ............................................................ 8

Critical Approach ........................................................................ 9

1. Theory of Poetry .................................................................. 10

2. Theory of Symbol ................................................................ 19

3. Theory of Psychology

a) Theories of Character and Characterization .................. 20

b) Theory of Personality .................................................... 23

c) Theory of Motivation ..................................................... 26


xii

C. Theoretical Framework .................................................................... 29

D. Context of the Study ........................................................................ 29

CHAPTER III. METHODOLOGY

A. Object of the Study .......................................................................... 31

B. Approach of the Study ..................................................................... 31

C. Method of the Study ........................................................................ 32

CHAPTER IV. ANALYSIS

A. The Content of the Songs ................................................................ 34

a. Don’t Cry .................................................................................. 35

b. November Rain ......................................................................... 39

c. Estranged .................................................................................. 46

B. The Meaning of the Trilogy Songs

1. Literal Meaning of the Trilogy

a. Don’t Cry ............................................................................ 53

b. November Rain ................................................................... 56

c. Estranged ............................................................................ 60

2. Deeper Meaning of the Trilogy

a. Don’t Cry ............................................................................ 64

b. November Rain ................................................................... 69

c. Estranged ............................................................................ 73

CHAPTER V. CONCLUSIONS, SUGGESTION, RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Conclusions ..................................................................................... 78

B. Recommendations ........................................................................... 79

C. Suggestions ...................................................................................... 79

D. Reflection ........................................................................................ 80


xiii

REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 81

APPENDICES ................................................................................................. 86


xiv

LIST OF APENDICES

Appendix A. The Lyrics of the Songs in the Trilogy ...................................... 86

Appendix B. Biography of Axl Rose .............................................................. 93

Appendix C. The Alternate Version of “Don’t Cry” ...................................... 97

Appendix D. The Scenes in the Trilogy Songs ............................................... 99


1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

This chapter consists of five sections, namely Background of the Study,

Problem Formulation, Objectives of the Study, Benefits of the Study, and

Definitions of Terms. The Background of the Study covers the description of the

topic and why the writer chooses it. In the Problem Formulation part, the writer

provides the questions that will be answered in this study. In the Objectives of the

Study part, the writer provides the objectives of the study which aimed to make it

clear. The Benefits of the Study part will cover the benefits of this study for the

writer and the readers. In the Definitions of Terms part, the writer provides the

definitions of some key terms used in this study in order to avoid misunderstanding

by the readers.

A. Background of the Study

Literature is the expression of life through language. It can be the reflection

of human’s experiences in this world. They can see that literature as a reflection of

our life since it contains some kinds of human aspect in life, such as history, moral,

social, psychology, and many more. Literary work depicts social reality. This is

because human being and literature have a very strong relation. They have

interrelationship where literary work can be the representation of social reality and


2

the literary work itself can influence the society and is published to the society. We

can conclude that literary work is from and for the society. Literature is also an art

of language. It can amuse or entertain the reader or the listener. Sometimes, it brings

the reader or the listener to the fantasy world.

Since many centuries, literature as the language art has become the media

of the people to express their mind, either in imaginative literature or in

unimaginative literature. This shows us that literary work has strong correlation

with the reflection of people’s life or social life, remembering that they, who use

literature as the way to express, are the part of the society.

Poetry as one of literary genres is an example of literary work which

describes life, social reality or someone’s feeling; while some poetries may be best

expressed through songs. Some poetries reflect social reality factually and are very

useful for entertaining, informing, and educating about history. Based on an expert,

history is not only past moments which pass away and just becomes the invaluable

story, but it is more as the life learning. By learning about history, we will also find

a lot of factual useful knowledge about the growth of the society. This will

encourage us to be better person in our social life. Even, we will get a lot of

knowledge about how to manage social environment better.

In this case, the researcher wants to analyze about a great trilogy from a

legendary band named Guns N’ Roses. They are “Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”,

and “Estranged”. The researcher is interested for the first time the researcher heard

the trilogy. The researcher really wants to know more about the story since the

researcher thinks it has a strange but interesting theme. After the researcher tried to


3

analyze this trilogy, the researcher thinks that this trilogy is a kind of researchable

thing for thesis.

There are some reasons why the researcher chooses this trilogy as the main

subject for the study. The first, Guns N’ Roses is a great and legendary band ever.

Their songs and albums often nominated as the best song or album of the year, even

the best song or album ever. Here are some awards that they won: Pitchfork Top

200 Tracks of the 90s, and Single top 100 over 1992. The second, the trilogy are

great and legendary songs. The trilogy contains great songs and story that make the

listeners wonder about what happened to Axl which caused him to write this trilogy.

The songs in this trilogy also have an interesting plot and great insights about love.

B. Objective of the Study

The objective of this study is to reveal the meaning of mortality as seen in

Guns N’ Roses’ trilogy; “Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged”.

C. Problem Formulation

The problems of this study is formulated as follows:

1. What do the songs talk about?

2. What is the meaning of the Guns N’ Roses trilogy; “Don’t Cry”, “November

Rain”, and “Estranged”?


4

D. Benefits of the Study

This study is expected to give benefit for the readers, especially the listeners

of Guns N’ Roses’ trilogy; “Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged” who

want to explore and identify deeper regarding the character in the trilogy and the

issue related to the story of the trilogy. Each person has his/her own motivation in

achieving his/her goal whether it is positive motivation or negative motivation. By

reading this study, the readers are expected to be more conscious about the

motivation behind someone to achieve his/her goal and the reason why he/she

behaves that way. Besides, this study is expected to give a contribution for the

further researchers who have similar research about the trilogy, especially in its life

side, and valuable knowledge about life in this song.

E. Definition of Terms

For clearer understanding of the terms used in this study, below are their

meanings:

1. Don’t Cry

It is a phrase that we usually used it to persuade somebody not to cry.

Meanwhile in this study, “Don’t Cry” is the title of Guns N’ Roses’ song about a

man who was cheating on his woman.


5

2. Estranged

Based on the Third Edition of Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary,

that word describes a husband or wife who is not now living with the person they

are married to. Meanwhile at this study, “Estranged” is the title of Guns N’ Roses’

song about an expression of very deep regret after someone lose his/her beloved

because of his/her own mistakes.

3. Mortality


that word means the way that people do not live forever. Meanwhile in this study,

mortality is an idiom to depict something that may come anytime or something that

we can’t own it forever.

4. November Rain

In general understanding, November is the 11th month of the year, while rain

is drops of water from cloud. In this study, “November Rain” is the title of Guns

N’ Roses’ song about flawed relationship. Since November is the month where

winter happens, the word November here means coldness, and rain here means

something that comes rapidly in a certain term. Here, “November Rain” is a

metaphor for the flawed relationship, obviously linking the dreary, sad feelings of

the two lovers.

5. Trilogy


that word means a series of three books or plays written about the same situation


6

or characters, forming a continuous story. It is very clear from the meaning that

“trilogy” in this study means the same. Those three songs mentioned in the

Objective of the Study (“Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged) are

actually formed a trilogy of Axl’s life experiences.


7

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter consists of four sub headings. The first is Review of Related

Studies, the second is Review of Related Theories, the third is Theoretical

Framework, and the fourth is Context of the Trilogy. The survey of the related

studies is a crucial aspect of the planning of the study. The review of related

studies refers to any type of study that has to do with a certain subject. It may

include anything used to provide the information needed on that specific subject.

In this research the Theory of Character is used to find out the description of

the main character in the trilogy. The Theory of Psychology deals with the

approaches used to analyze the trilogy in this research. The Theoretical

Framework consists of the contribution of the theories and reviews applied in this

study to answer the problem formulations. The Context of the Trilogy gives the

readers brief explanation about anything which are going through inside the

trilogy.

A. Review of Related Studies

It's about a very intense love affair coming to an end, and both partners

having to accept that. It is supposed to start from the song “Don't Cry”, but a lot of

people now think “November Rain” is the first in the trilogy (and the last is


8

“Estranged”). One of the reasons is that the bride in “November Rain” commits

suicide, which can be seen on a line of the alternate version of “Don’t Cry”: “I

was the one who's washing (l.7) blood off your hands (l.8)”. After that incident,

Axl sings about his regrets in “Estranged”. If you notice a line on “Estranged”

lyrics, you can find a line said: “I'll never find anyone to replace you (l.51). Guess

I'll have to make it thru, this time- Oh this time (l.52). Without you (l.53)” which

indicates that Axl is now in a very deep regrets of losing Stephanie Seymour.

Lyrically those three songs are about being in love, pain, and fear. Axl is

clearly grieving over a love that he has been dreaming and now is in jeopardy of

being lost forever. The highlight is that hearts can change and even a candle that

once burned bright cannot stay lit in darkness. Walking in the November rain is

used as a metaphor for walking on a flawed relationship. There is a thought that

the two of them just need a little time alone but they could find their way back to

one another since time is the only thing that will heals all wounds, as seen in

“November Rain” lyrics.

B. Review of the Related Theories

The theories used in this study are the theory of poetry, theory of symbol,

theory of psycho-analytic, and theory of motivation.


9

Critical Approach

Rohrberger & Woods (1976) divided the critical approach into five

approaches to analyze a work of literature. The approaches are “formalist

approach, biographical approach, sociocultural-historical approach, mythopoeic

approach, and psychological approach.”

The first approach is formalist approach. Based on Rohrberger & Woods

(1971), this approach concerns with demonstrating the harmonious involvement

of all the parts to the whole and with pointing out how meaning is derived from

structure and how matters how technique determine structure (p.6).

The second is biographical approach. According to Rohrberger & Woods

(1971), “biographical approach asserts the necessity for an appreciation of ideas

and personality of the author to an understanding of literary object” (p.6).

The third approach is sociocultural-historical approach. According to

Rohrberger & Woods (1971), “it investigates the social milieu in which a work

was created and which it necessarily reflects” (p.9).

The fourth approach is mythopoeic approach. According to Rohrberger &

Woods (1971), “it seeks to discover certain universally recurrent pattern of the

human thought, which they believe find expression in significant work of art”

(p.9).

The fifth approach is psychological approach. Atkinson (1981) emphasizes

how personality develops. This approach is used in the study because it is relevant

to analyze the character’s thoughts, motivation, love, and personality.


10

1. Theory of Poetry

Poetry is the symbolic expression in language, for communication, of

imaginative experiences. The complete poem reflects the unity of poetic

inspiration. Poetic technique may therefore be analyzed into the technique of

poetry and poems, of parts and wholes. “Every inspiration has its own unity, and

every poem should have its own form, since the form must be the efficient

equivalent of the unity.” The technique of words has poetic value through its

contribution to this end, through entering into the organic unity of the poem’s

form and meaning.

A poem is not the expression of emotion or truth or the good, but all of these

in so far as they enter into a unity of imaginatively contemplated experience.

Beauty is not the purpose of poetic creation, but the sign that poetry has achieved

its purposes.

a) The Study of Poetry, in Essays in Criticism (Matthew Arnold)

Arnold predicts that “mankind will discover that we have to turn to poetry

to interpret life for us, to console us, to sustain us. Without poetry, our science

will appear incomplete; and most of what now passes with us for religion and

philosophy will be replaced by poetry.” The qualities of excellence in poetry lie in

the matter and substance of the poetry, and in its manner in style. The substance

and matter of the best poetry acquire their special character from possessing, in an

eminent degree, truth, and seriousness. To the style and manner of the best poetry


11

their special character, their accent, is given by their diction, and, even yet more,

by their movement. In the best poetry, these two aspects, form and matter, are

vitally interrelated. One cannot exist without the other. (p.60)

b) Poetic Diction, A Study in Meaning (Owen Barfield)

Barfield conceives the history of thought and language (in the race and in

the individual) as the progressive alienation of consciousness from the unity of

life and mind – the displacement of the concrete, the synthetic, the poetical by the

analytic, the abstract, the prosaic.

Poets are individuals who possess in a high degree the power of imaginative

synthesis, and the ability to express and communicate their imaginative

experience in words. The device used to achieve this end are known as poetic

diction. The principal device is metaphor.

For the reader of hearer poetry has two values: (1) the pleasure of

appreciation; (2) knowledge of wisdom. Appreciation and its pleasure involve a

“felt change of consciousness”; that is, the change from prosaic to poetical

awareness. Appreciation takes place at the exact moment of change. It lives

during that prosaic consciousness is indispensable. Without it there can be no “felt

change.” Barfield maintains the paradox that the modern imagination appreciates

Homer more than Homer’s contemporaries, just because the modern age is more

prosaic than the age of Homer, and the “felt change” is greater.


12

The wisdom or knowledge communicated by poetry, the expansion of our

intimate, immediate awareness of concrete reality, is poetry’s permanent value.

(p.60)

c) Poetry’s Sake, in Oxford Lectures on Poetry (A.C. Bradley)

“Poetry for poetry’s sake” means: (1) that the poetic experience has an

intrinsic value; (2) that its poetic value is this intrinsic worth alone. Bradley adds

(3) that poetic value is lowered by the consideration of ulterior non-poetic ends in

the creation or appreciation of poetry (this is not necessarily implied in the

formula). Such ends tend to make of poetry a part or copy of the real world. But it

is the nature of the poetry to be “a world by itself, independent, complete,

autonomous.”

The real connection between poetry and (practical) life is “underground.”

Poetry and life are parallel, analogous manifestations of man’s striving for

perfection. The values of real life enter the realm of poetry above ground only as

aspects of the real world which poetic imagination, they are indeed mighty powers

in the world of poetry.

The poem is “a resonant meaning, or a meaning resonance.” Poetic value

lies in the total experience. Bradley explains the creative impulse through the

necessity of form to the realization of poetic meaning. (p.61)


13

d) Life in Poetry: Law in Taste (William John Courthope)

Courthope defines poetry as the art which produces enduring pleasure for

the imagination by imitating human actions, thoughts, and passions, in metrical

language. The poet is not responsible directly as an individual to the universal, but

indirectly through his participation in national character and national ideals.

Poetry and politics are parallel manifestations of the national ethos. In poetry as in

politics the ideal is in the harmony of liberty and authority.

The living synthesis of poetry is the harmony of universality and the poet’s

individuality. The poet expresses his individuality by selecting conception and

modes of expression harmonious with each other and with his own genius. But he

does not produce vital poetry unless his genius is one with the ethos of his

country. (p.64)

e) Discovering Poetry (Elizabeth Drew)

Poetry uses words to evoke and to organize experience. Poetry does not tell

us about life. It is life, - a living experience peculiarly intense and peculiarly

harmonious. By metaphor, the poet can fuse the physical, the emotional, and the

intellectual worlds into one complex, complete and immediate act of

apprehension. (p.65)


14

f) Enjoyment of Poetry (Max Eastman)

Rhythm performs two functions in poetry. By producing a mild hypnosis, it

silences the practical self, and at the same time stimulates and heightens

imaginative realization. (p.65)

g) The Sacred Wood. Essays on Poetry and Criticism (T. S. Eliot)

Poetry does not express personal emotion. Emotions, feelings, impressions,

experiences, are its materials; but poetry, combining these materials in new and

unexpected ways, transmutes them into unique poetic experience. The creative

mind is not a personality expressing itself, but a medium in which experiences

come together in poetic fusion.

Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is

not the expression of personality, but the escape from personality. Of course, only

those who have personality and emotions know what it means to want to escape

from the “things”. (p.66)

h) The Making of Poetry. A Critical Study of Its Nature and Value

(ARTHUR H. R. Fairchild)

An adequate definition of poetry is impossible because the beginning and

the end of poetry is feeling, and feeling cannot be defined. The poet deals only

with images. But the images represent things that are real in life. Regrouped, they

signify a new order; an order where men are or may be what they ideally wish


15

themselves to be; an order where some goal of consciousness is won, some

dominant interest achieved.

The need for poetry is a “biological necessity” for some assurance of the

possibility of human hopes and ideals. (p.67)

i) On Poetry in General and On Familiar Style (William Hazlitt)

Poetry is strictly the language of the imagination; and the imagination is that

faculty which represents object, not as they are in themselves, but as they are

molded by other thoughts and feelings, into an infinite variety of shapes and

combinations of power. In another passage Hazlitt says that poetry “is not a

branch of authorship,” but “the stuff of which our life is made.” (p.68)

j) The Name and Nature of Poetry (A.E. Housman)

I think that to transfuse emotion – not to transmit thought but to set up in the

reader’s sense a vibration corresponding to what was felt by the writer – is the

peculiar function of poetry.” “Poetry is not the thing said but a way of saying it.”

(p.68)

k) Poetry and Poets (Amy Lowell)

Miss Lowell answers the question “Why We Should Read Poetry”: We

should read poetry because only in that way can we know man in all his moods –

in most beautiful thoughts of his heart, in his farthest reaches of imagination, in


16

the tenderness of his live, in the nakedness and awe of his soul confronted with

the terror and wonder of the Universe.” (p.70)

l) Lectures on Poetry (J.W. Mackail)

Technically and formally poetry is patterned language. The essence of

pattern is repeat. Pattern in language is verse. Patterned language has its own

excellence and beauty, but it is not the whole of poetry. In substance, poetry is a

function of life. The vital function of poetry is to make patterns out of life.

Poetry performs this function through the shaping power of imagination.

Imagination is “the likeness or echo of the divine creative power.” Its integrations

of life are not inventions but flashes of insight into the hidden beauty and

perfection of life. (p.71)

m) An Approach to Poetry (Phospor Mallam)

Poetry is primarily the expression of feeling. The poet strives to express

poetical ideas in “minutely appropriate” language, language that: (1) conveys the

logical content of the idea, (2) suggests the emotional and imaginative

associations to which the idea owes its poetic potentialities, and (3) is itself

beautiful and appropriate, as sound. (p.72)


17

n) Thoughts on Poetry and Its Varieties in Dissertations and Discussions

(John Stuart Mill)

Mill defines poetry as the spontaneous expression of emotion. The poet may

be aware that he will have an audience, but he must not betray the fact in his

poem, must not let the audience influence his emotion or his expression. Mill

finds an analogous distinction in music and the other arts, between signs of feeling

which escape us when we are unconscious of being seen or heard, and signs we

use for the purpose of voluntary communication. (p.72)

o) The Appreciation of Poetry (Ernest G. Moll)

The central aim of poetry is to communicate experience. To appreciate

poetry, the reader must rise above the stereotyped reactions of commonplace

practical life and share the poet’s interest in objects, emotions, ideas, fancies, foe

their own sake as experience.

The poet does not, however, copy experience in its actual confusion. But the

poet also creates new experience. Poetic imagination builds new entities, creates

new patterns, imposes form and order upon the chaos of sensations, feelings, ideas

which collectively we may call life.

A successful poem is a world by itself, a self-contained whole of experience,

in which every word and every image contributes to the total effect. (p.73)


18

p) Essentials of Poetry (William Allan Neilson)

The roots of poetic value are: imagination, reason, and sense of fact.

Imagination is creative activity of the mind, enriching concrete experience by the

revelation of hidden meanings and implications. Reason embraces whatever

rational, theoretical content a poem may have; but, more important, it embraces

the whole aspect of form and technique. Realism and sense of fact occupy a

peculiar position in the world of poetry.

Rhythm and meter have the important poetic function of reinforcing and

heightening intensity, including a general excitement that results in a high state of

receptiveness to emotional suggestion. (p.73)

q) A Study of Poetry (Bliss Perry)

Poetry is the verbal embodiment of emotion. Perry conceives poetic creation

as a threefold process: (1) impression; (2) transformation of impression, through

vital contact with the poet’s personality and previous experience, into emotionally

loaded imaginative experience; (3) expression of imaginative experience, and the

emotion connected with it, in rhythmic language.

The main principles of poetry have, according to Perry, a natural connection

with strong emotional experience. Although rhythm and order are emotionally

expressive, the emotional tone of every poem is unique, and every poem has

therefore its own order and rhythmic pattern. (p.75)


19

r) A Defence of Poetry in The Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley (Percy Bysshe

Shelley)

Reason is the analytic principle; imagination is the synthetic principle of the

mind. Poetry, as the expression of the imagination. Literary poetry, as an

expression of the general expansive, sympathetic, generous character of the

imagination, relatively free from the prejudices and interests of particular times

and places, Shelley believes to be a great moral teacher, and a real factor social

progress. But it owes its didactic powers to the generality of its imaginative

appeal, and would lose its power if it sought deliberately to teach the morals of its

generation. (p.83)

s) Preface to Lyrical Ballads in The Complete Poetical Works of William

Wordsworth (William Wordsworth)

Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. It takes its origin

from emotion recollected in tranquility. The emotion is contemplated by a species

of reaction, the tranquility gradually disappears, and an emotion; kindred to what

which was before the subject of contemplation, is gradually produced, and does

itself actually exist in the mind. (p.85)

2. Theory of Symbol

Symbol has meaning. According to Roberts and Jacobs (1987), Symbolism

is designed to extend meaning. Symbol comes in direct relationship and describes

together a specific thing with idea, values, persons or way of life. However, it is


20

not easy to understand. It may be despotic because sometimes it has no any

connection or relationship with the object which is proposed. A symbol can

appear in the form of thing, person, place, action, situation, or even the way of

thinking (1987).

To understand the meaning of the symbol needs high level of imagination.

In the book “An Introduction to Literature: Fiction/Poetry/Drama” (1961),

Lawrence says that understanding a meaning of symbol is a work which needs

imagination and emotion, not intellectual. On the other hand, Roberts and Jacobs

believe that the object and description can be developed as symbol only within an

individual work. It names private symbol. Private symbol is more difficult than

universal symbol. Universal symbol uses the well-known thing, which people are

familiar with that to find the meaning, e.g. culture or religion. Meanwhile, the

meaning of private symbol can be found in the context of the specific work of

fiction (1987).

3. Theory of Psychology

a) Theories of Character and Characterization

According to Stanton, the term character refers to two meanings. It points

toward the individuals who appear in the story. In addition, it refers to mixture of

interests, desire, emotions, and moral principles that make up each of these

individuals. Most stories contain a central character which is relevant to every

event in the story. Generally, the events cause some changes toward him or our

attitude toward him. Therefore, the meaning of character can be both the


21

actor/actress in the story and the characterization of the character. There must be a

relationship between an actor and the characteristics she/he has (as cited in An

Introduction to Fiction, 1965).

Henkle (1977) divides the term character into two categories. The first is

major character and the second is minor character or secondary character. The

major character deserves our full attention in the song. It also performs the key

structural function in the song. Therefore, the effectiveness of most songs depends

on the ability of major character to express and dramatize the human issue of the

song. While the secondary character performs more limited function and less

complex than the major character (p.80).

Abrams mentions two types of character; they are simple or flat character

and round or complex character. He proposes that flat character is easily

recognized and remembered by readers. It describes in a single phrase or sentence.

Complex character is lifelike because the writer may see all sides of the character.

This character is difficult to describe with any adequacy as somebody in real life

(as cited in A Glossary of Literary Term, 1981).

M.J Murphy (1972: 161-173), in his book Understanding Unseen, gives

more detailed explanation on how characters are presented by an author. He

mentions nine ways of how an author reveals the character’s personalities and

traits to the readers, like as follows:


22

i. Personal Description

The author explains directly to the readers the physical appearance of the

characters.

ii. Character as Seen by Another

The Author mentions his or her characters though the eyes of other

characters in the story so that the readers can catch a reflected image of

them through the other characters’ eyes.

iii. Speech

The author gives the clues of the character’s personalities to the readers

through what the characters say.

iv. Past Life

By letting the readers know something about the characters’ past lives,

the author gives them some clues to his or her characters’ personalities.

v. Conversation of Others

The author makes dialogues about a character in the story which is

spoken by some characters in it. The readers can refer to the

conversations to know something about the character.

vi. Reactions

The author mentions indirectly a character’s personality by letting the

readers know how the character reacts to various events or situations.


23

vii. Direct Comment

The author uses a direct comment to describe the characters. He or she

seems to judge them, directly, whether they are good or bad, beautiful or

ugly and the like.

viii. Thoughts

The author gives the readers direct knowledge of what a character is

thinking about. So that they can get knowledge of the personality of the

character when they read the description of what he or she is thinking

about.

ix. Mannerism

The author describes a character’s mannerism, habits, or idiosyncrasies

which may tell the readers something about the character.

b) Theory of Personality

The word “personality” originated from the Latin “persona”, which referred

to a theatrical mask worn by Roman Actors in Greek dramas (Hill, 2006).

According to Allport (1937), personality is the dynamic organization within the

individual of those psychophysical systems that determine his unique adjustment

to his environment.

Hill (2006) argues that personality is both physical and psychological; it

includes both overt behaviors and covert thoughts; it not only is something, but


24

does it something. While Davidoff (1987) states that personality is a summary

construct that includes thought, motives, emotions, interests, attitudes, abilities

and the like. The writer uses the theory of personality because in this study the

theory is needed to know the meaning of the main character’s personality

development.

According to Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of personality,

personality is composed of three elements. They are the id, the ego, and the

superego.

The three elements which are composed by Sigmund Freud work together to

create complex human behaviors.

i. The Id

The id is a component of personality which naturally comes from birth.

According to Freud, the id is the source of all psychic energy, making it

the primary component of personality. For example, when a baby is

hungry, she will cry. She will stop crying if the demand of the id is met,

which is drinking the milk.

ii. The Ego

According to Freud, the ego develops from the id and ensures that the

impulses of the id can be expressed in a manner acceptable in the real

world. Ego is not the whole personality, but must be completed by the

more comprehensive self, the center of personality that is largely

unconscious (Hill, 2005). In psychologically healthy person, the ego

takes a secondary position to the unconscious (Jung, 1959a)


25

iii. The Superego

The superego is the last component of personality to be developed.

According to Kendra Cherry, the superego is the aspect of personality

that holds all of our internalized moral standards and ideals that we

acquire from both parents and society-our sense of right and wrong.

Freud (1964) also divides levels of mental of life into the unconscious and

the conscious. While the unconscious has two different levels, which are the

unconscious proper and the preconscious. In Freudian psychology, the three levels

of mental life are used to designate both a process and a location.

i. Unconscious

Freud states that unconscious contain all those drives, urges, or instinct

that are beyond people’s awareness, but motivate most of our feeling,

words, and actions. While Adler (1956) defined the unconscious as the

part of the goal that is neither clearly formulated nor completely

understood by the individual. Adler then states that if we understand the

tendency of consciousness, the tendency has already become conscious.

ii. Preconscious

The preconscious level of the mind contains all those elements that are

not conscious but can become conscious either readily or with some

difficulties (Freud, 1964)

iii. Conscious

Consciousness, which plays a relatively minor role in psychoanalytic

theory, can be defined as those mental elements in awareness at any


26

given point in time. According to Freud (1964), what we perceive

through our sense organ, if not too threatening, enters into consciousness.

Adler (1964) argues that the consciousness life becomes unconscious as

soon as we fall to understand it.

Levitan and LaBerge (1991) say that the human consciousness separating

from the human body and travelling in a discorporate form of physical world. The

writer uses Freud’s level of mental of life to support the analysis of the meaning

of mortality in Guns N’ Roses’ trilogy (“Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and

“Estranged”).

c) Theory of Motivation

Motivation is an important determinant of individual’s performance.

However, as Maslow (1943) states that motivation is not the only determinant;

other variables such as effort expended, ability, and previous experience also

influence performance.

Beck (1978) states that motivation is broadly concerned with the

contemporary determinants of choice (direction), persistence, and vigor of goal

directed behavior (p.58). it indicates that motivation deals with the “way” of

someone’s behavior.

Coleman (1960) mentions that there are some theories used to support the

analysis of the main character’s way of thinking (p.114-116). The first is Primary

and the Secondary Drives. It states that every species has some basic

psychological drives of an inborn.


27

The second is Motives as Tension-Reducing Devices. Most of human

biological functioning follows the pattern of searching a way to relieve unpleasant

tension that is caused by the need. Therefore, the brain will produce the tension

for everything needed by the body. The tension will cause a depressed feeling by

the body. That is why human have to reduce the feeling by finding the way out.

Maslow (1970) with his theory of motivation identifies different stages and

forms of motives which will motivate people in different stages of their lives. The

theory also provides the relationship between the needs of people. Maslow

presents the stages of need in the form of hierarchy. The direction of the need is

upward. When the lower need has been fulfilled, people will fulfill the higher

need. The lowest need in the hierarchy shows the most basic need of human.

Fig.1 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1970)

http://www.businessballs.com/maslowhierarchyofneeds5.pdf

(retrieved March 13, 2016)


http://www.businessballs.com/maslowhierarchyofneeds5.pdf

28

According to Maslow (1970), the first need is physiological need. The

physiological need includes food, water, oxygen, maintenance of body

temperature, air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep, etc. When people do not

have their physiological needs satisfied, they life for those needs and strive

constantly to satisfy them (Feist & Feist, 2006, p.279).

The second need is safety needs. The safety needs include protection from

elements, security, order, law, limits, stability, etc. The needs for law, order, and

structure are also safety needs (Maslow, 1970).

The third need is belongingness and love needs, for example the desire for

friendship, the wish for mate and children; the need to belong to a family, a club, a

neighborhood, or a nation (Feist & Feist, 2006, p.280). Love and belongings also

include some aspects of sex and human contact as well as the need to both give

and receive love (Maslow, 1970).

The fourth need is esteem need, for example self-respect, confidence,

competence, and the knowledge that others hold them in esteem (Feist & Feist,

2006). While the fifth need is self-actualization needs, for example self-

fulfillment, the realization of all one’s potential, and a desire to become creative in

the full sense of the word (Maslow, 1970).

From the theories we can draw a conclusion that are different theories of

motivation. The first theory says that motivation is emerged from thoughts,

feeling, and behavior. The other theory says that motivation is a result of physical

and psychological needs.


29

C. Theoretical Framework

The theories that are used in this study are theory of literature, theory of

motivation, and theory of psychology. Theory of literature consists of three parts.

They are: the theory of character, theory of characterization, and the theory of

literary approaches. These theories are important to be applied because these

theories are related to the main discussion of this study.

The approach used in this study is psychological approach. The researcher

chooses psychological approach because motivation is part of psychological

theory. The researcher believes that this approach and the theory of motivation

can help the researcher in understanding the analysis of the problems about

motivation. They are used to reveal the motivation of Axl in writing the trilogy

(“Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged”).

D. Context of The Study

“Don’t Cry” is a song about a man who is cheating on his lady. He is telling

her not to feel sad since now he has found out that she really cares with him,

although he had cheated on her at first. This can be seen from the title itself, and

from both the original and alternate version lyrics which contain many

expressions of persuasion from Axl toward Stephanie. You can just take a look at

its alternate lyrics to find other facts that may strengthen your opinion to believe

that this song is a trilogy of a certain life aspect that happened in a Rock n’ Roll

and Punk Rock environment at that time, especially the life reality in Rock n’ Roll


30

or Punk Rock environment (at that time), where true “love” is almost impossible

to find, because men and women in these scenes tend to be “adventurous” and go

around with different whores.

“November Rain” is a song about love, pain and fear. The phrase

"November Rain" is used throughout the song symbolizing a period of depression

from a flawed relationship. The image of a cold rainy November day is a perfect

parallel to depict these feelings. “Nothing lasts forever (l.41), even cold November

rain (l.42).” That line leads up to the thought that Axl believes that love will

prevail in the end. Axl ends the first act of the song with this optimistic mindset

that bad times are not everlasting and they both will pass through them.

“Estranged” is a song about the most difficult time after Axl loses Stephanie

Seymour. This song is the deepest and most personal song that Axl has written.

This song is mainly about loneliness and despair caused by the irreparable loss of

the person he was strongly attached to. A fact that may strengthen the statement

above is at the beginning of the video where you can see an empty house and Axl

was in children’s bedroom. He is in the place that holds most of his good

memories. It’s like he is trying to get back to his happy situation, trying to go back

to the times when everything was perfect, but at the same time he understands

deep inside that he has lost the most important thing in his life at that time and it

can’t be returned. He is totally lonely and in despair now.


31

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the methodology, which was employed for the study.

This chapter consists of three parts: Subject of the Study, Approach of the Study

and Method of the Study. The Subject of the Study focuses on the analysis of the

trilogy and its physical description. The Approach of the Study focuses on the way

or the approach in analyzing the problem formulation and it concerns the reason

why the researcher uses that approach. The researcher also discusses about the

Method of the Study. It talks about the steps taken in analyzing the problem

formulation of the study.

A. Object of the Study

“Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged” are very popular songs,

written by Guns N' Roses. Not many people know that they are actually trilogy

songs. Since the trilogy has been debated for so long time in Guns N’ Roses-die

hard-fans circle, the researcher is interested to pick it as the topic of the study.

B. Approach of the Study

The study is focused on the meaning of mortality in Guns N’ Roses’ trilogy

songs (“Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged”). Therefore, the researcher

uses psychological approach. Psychological approach reveals the behavior,


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guns_N%27_Roses

32

thoughts, feeling, and experience of the main character. Thus, this approach is

relevant to be used in the study to analyze the psychological condition, such as the

character’s thoughts, motivation, love, and personality, as seen in Guns N’ Roses’

trilogy (“Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged”).

C. Method of the Study

This research was conducted as the library study. The researcher uses the

trilogy (“Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged”) as the primary source of

the study. It was not a research based on the observation on the field. The researcher

also used thesis and other books related to human motivation and behavior as the

secondary sources to support the study.

There were some steps as the procedure in conducting the research. First of

all, the researcher read and observes the main source of the study, “Don’t Cry”,

“November Rain”, and “Estranged” lyrics. Then, the researcher tried to understand

and comprehend the song. It was aimed to get a comprehensible understanding of

the song. The researcher concentrates more on the main character, Axl.

The next step was making the analysis by finding the character and motivation

of the chosen character. Moreover, the researcher tried to find the motivation in

writing the trilogy of the chosen character based on his needs.

The third step was the researcher tried to find supporting data which could

support the researcher’s finding. Besides using data from the books in the library,

the study also using articles from the Internet, especially for the articles or data


33

which could not be found in the library, for example, a journal. After finding the

data, the researcher would compile it and used it as the supporting material toward

the researcher finding and opinion. Based on the main idea, this study uses

psychological approach.

After finding the main data and the supporting source, the researcher tried to

discuss the song and analyze his finding. In analyzing the song, the researcher used

the approach and theories to answer the problems. The last step was drawing the

conclusion from the result of the analysis.


34

CHAPTER IV

ANALYSIS

This chapter answers the questions of the problem formulation which are stated

in chapter I. Firstly, this chapter discusses content of the songs. Secondly, it

discusses the meaning of the trilogy through library study. The trilogy consists of:

“Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged”.

A. The Content of the Songs

“Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged” are basically popular songs

from Guns N’ Roses, written by Axl Rose. Axl has modified his style and tone to

fit the subject matter and mood in his poems. Here, the subject matter is the theme

in his poems which are flawed relationship and regrets. Since he is a musician, he

combined his mood in making song lyrics or his poem and fitted it to be a song in

order to be sung.

As mentioned in the introduction part, “Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and

“Estranged” are songs about flawed relationship and regrets. The writer of this

songs’ lyrics, Axl Rose has put such a good analogy in portraying the discord.

In order to make a clear understanding about the lyrics and to find its literal

meaning, the researcher provides line-by-line and stanza-by-stanza analysis on the

lyrics as follows:


35

a. Don’t Cry

The First Stanza

Talk to me softly (l.1)

There's something in your eyes (l.2)

Don't hang your head in sorrow (l.3)

And please don't cry (l.4)

I know how you feel inside (l.5)

I've been there before (l.6)

Somethin's changin' inside you (l.7)

And don't you know (l.8)

From the stanza above, the researcher found that Axl could see Stephanie’s

unspoken words through her eyes. It can be seen on the second and seventh line of

the stanza: There's something in your eyes (l.2) and Somethin's changin' inside you

(l.7). Axl felt that something wrong had happened to his relationship. That

something was when Stephanie was opening her eyes to the harsh realities of life;

especially the life reality in Rock n’ Roll or Punk Rock environment (at that time),

where true “love” is almost impossible to find, because men and women in these

scenes tend to be “adventurous” and go around with different whores.

Axl knew what felt by Stephanie inside her heart at that time because he has

experienced the same problem and the same mistakes in the past; and that was the


36

reason why Axl stated in the fifth line on the first stanza: I know how you feel inside

(l.5). Axl loved Stephanie very much and he didn’t want her to fall in sorrow. After

a long time, Axl realized that he was the one to blame, so now he admits for the

mistakes he has done to Stephanie. In the other hand, actually he didn’t want to do

the same mistakes he had done in the past. The sixth line of the stanza (I've been

there before (l.6)) implies that Axl has experienced something bad due to his

relationship in the past with Erin Everly (his former wife). This fact can be found

in Axl’s biography.

The Second Stanza

Don't you cry tonight (l.9)

I still love you baby (l.10)



There's a heaven above you baby (l.13)

And don't you cry tonight (l.14)

Axl tried to calm Stephanie down by saying: “Don't you cry tonight, there's

a heaven above you baby”. Axl realized that Stephanie was truthful and faithful to

him, and she was willing to give him her love as long as he wasn’t doing the same

mistakes; or simply let’s say that Stephanie was a good person while Axl wasn’t.


37

We often heard that if we did many good deeds in our lifetime, heaven is surely

going to be with us later in hereafter. The word “heaven” here refers to something

given to someone as the appreciation of his/her good deeds. This was the reason

why Axl said on a line in the second stanza by saying: There's a heaven above you

baby (l.13).

The Third Stanza

Give me a whisper and give me a sigh (l.15)

Give me a kiss before you (l.16)

tell me goodbye (l.17)

Don't you take it so hard now (l.18)

And please don't take it so bad (l.19)

I'll still be thinkin' of you (l.20)

And the times we had...baby (l.21)

After they quarreled, they didn’t talk each other for long time. It seemed that

none of them were willing to concede. Another possibility was whether there was

no effort from both of them to talk first and say sorry in order to make everything

clear or maybe one of them was afraid to talk because I guess one of them was

stubborn so that he/she couldn’t accept any suggestions from the other. By the time,

Axl felt uncomfortable with that situation and he knew that she was going to leave.


38

Until the time they finally decided to give a break to their relationship, Axl didn’t

ask anything unless her last goodbye or even only a whisper of her last words. Now

Axl just wanted to talk to Stephanie for the last time or even only a goodbye-kiss.

Since Axl loved her very much; even after they break, Axl didn’t want her to

feel sad or down in a sorrow. Axl wanted to show his caring so that he said that he

would be still remember and thinking of her and all of their good times although

they didn’t “walk” together anymore.

The Fifth Stanza

And please remember that I never lied (l.27)

And please remember (l.28)

how I felt inside now honey (l.29)

You gotta make it your own way (l.30)

But you'll be alright now sugar (l.31)

You'll feel better tomorrow (l.32)

Come the morning light now baby (l.33)

Axl has told all his honest feelings to Stephanie but it didn’t make any good

impact on their relationship. He said that he never lied. It was not about his words

or action but his love and feeling. Now that Axl has told Stephanie about how

shattered his heart is, Axl hoped Stephanie will forgive him, but unfortunately not.


39

Axl had to ungrudgingly let her go. And now the only thing Axl could do was only

wished that she would be fine after they are apart.

b. November Rain

“November Rain” is a song about love, pain and fear. The opening statement

clearly says that Axl saw the love in Stephanie’s eyes, restrained by a fear that she

might be hurt.

The First Stanza

When I look into your eyes (l.1)

I can see a love restrained (l.2)

But darlin' when I hold you (l.3)

Don't you know I feel the same (l.4)

The first time Axl saw Stephanie, he felt there was a love beating inside

his heart but he was still doubt to tell it to her since Axl was unsure that Stephanie

had the same feeling with him; that’s why he only saw a restrained love. By the

time they were getting closer and knew each other, they could throw their doubts

away; even a love chemistry grew inside their relation. Until the time they were

agreed to interlace a serious relationship, they finally found that they were actually

felt in love one to another since the first time they met. At the third line of the first


40

stanza, you’ll find a phrase said: But darlin' when I hold you (l.3). The word “hold”

in here means that Axl now has Stephanie in his life (at that time).

The Second Stanza

'Cause nothin' lasts forever (l.5)

And we both know hearts can change (l.6)

And it's hard to hold a candle (l.7)

In the cold November rain (l.8)

Heart and feeling are unpredictable. Due to that problem, Axl stated in the

second stanza that it’s hard to hold on and stay in a love relationship which was full

of flaws, lies, and selfishness.

The Third Stanza

We've been through this such a long long time (l.9)

Just tryin' to kill the pain (l.10)

But lovers always come and lovers always go (l.11)

And no one's really sure who's lettin' go today (l.12)

Walking away (l.13)


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They have been gone through thick and thin in their relationship and they

have tried to lose their ego to achieve a relationship goal they wanted in the

beginning but still they were not sure about what could happened in future; it could

be an eternal love or even a break apart. In this life, we all don’t know what will

happen. It could be a good thing or even the worst thing. All we need is only to live

in our path wisely in our every step.

The Fourth Stanza

If we could take the time (l.14)

to lay it on the line (l.15)

I could rest my head (l.16)

Just knowin' that you were mine (l.17)

All mine (l.18)

Axl a little bit blamed Stephanie for not asking him to have a conversation

to talk about their problem; but since Axl was stubborn, he also didn’t ask her to

have a conversation first.

In the fourth stanza, you fill find two phrases said: “If we could take the

time” (l.14) and “to lay it on the line” (l.15). Based on the 3rd Edition of Cambridge

Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, line is “a long thin mark on the surface of

something”. Line is usually drawn in a straight point, so that the word “line” in the


42

phrase “to lay it on the line” (l.15) means straighten; while what had to be straighten

was their problem. Completely, those two lines of the fourth stanza above mean that

if only they could take the time to talk and to straighten their problem, they might

not have had to be parted.

The Fifth Stanza

So if you want to love me (l.19)

then darlin' don't refrain (l.20)

Or I'll just end up walkin' (l.21)


Far before they were finally parted, Axl has actually told Stephanie to tell

about all her feeling to Axl so that he could fix his mistakes in future. Axl has told

Stephanie that as a human, of course Axl also has a limit on his patience. Yet, Axl

has tried to remind Stephanie that he might give up the relationship if there were no

more stories to be told and there were no more words to be spoken. Axl wanted to

be a better person, so he demanded Stephanie to reveal anything she didn’t like

from him so that they both can find a way to “walk” together again.


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The Sixth Stanza

Do you need some time...on your own (l.23)

Do you need some time...all alone (l.24)

Everybody needs some time... on their own (l.25)

Don't you know you need some time...all alone (l.26)

Axl offer Stephanie to take a lonely time which can be used by her to think,

to consider, and maybe to reflect about their relationship problems. Axl realized

that in this situation, everyone only needed a quiet day, quiet place, and lonely time

to cure the broken heart. Axl has experienced it in the past, so he knew how to

respond this problem.

The Seventh Stanza

I know it's hard to keep an open heart (l.27)

When even friends seem out to harm you (l.28)

But if you could heal a broken heart (l.29)

Wouldn't time be out to charm you (l.30)

During the time they were quarreling, Axl fell in a very bad situation of

mental and emotional which led him to his anger that finally brought them to a


44

discord. Axl realized that at that time they were on a situation where they were no

longer having each other. In this stanza, you will find a line said: I know it's hard

to keep an open heart (l.27). The word “open heart” here refers to a feeling which

is not owned by anyone. Since the feeling was not owned by anyone, so it was free

to everyone to get there and stay. It was true that at that time they were no longer

having each other in term of love but actually they were still having each other in

term of Christian marriage.

Axl still expected to get back with Stephanie; but in that situation, Axl felt

that none could help him to get out from their problem. Axl knew that it took a very

hard effort to hold on in a complicated relationship. Very complicated so that your

closest environment looks like a hell, your closest friends look live a devil, and even

they can’t help you at all. Whereas, if only they both could forgive each other; and

finally they get back, time was the only thing that will prove their love to others.

The Eighth Stanza

Sometimes I need some time...on my own (l.31)

Sometimes I need some time...all alone (l.32)

Everybody needs some time... on their own (l.33)

Don't you know you need some time...all alone (l.34)


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It is almost the same with the sixth stanza. But in this stanza, Axl was the one

who wanted to take a lonely time which can be used to think, to consider, and maybe

to reflect about their relationship problems. Axl realized that in this situation,

everyone only needed a quiet day, quiet place, and lonely time to cure the broken

heart. Axl has experienced it in the past, so he knew how to respond this problem.

The Ninth Stanza

And when your fears subside (l.35)

And shadows still remain (l.36)

I know that you can love me (l.37)

When there's no one left to blame (l.38)

So never mind the darkness (l.39)

We still can find a way (l.40)


Even cold November rain (l.42)

Every wound left scars, even after a long time. Axl realized that there might

be a fear of being tortured again inside Stephanie’s heart in future if they were

finally got back. In this stanza, you’ll find a line said: “And shadows still remain”

(l.36). Axl used the word “shadow” to depict that fear of being tortured again in

future.


46

Axl wanted to get back with Stephanie; but he didn’t want her to talk about

their past life if someday they are reunited. Because only if they can lose their ego,

forgive each other, and there is still a love left inside their heart; they can love again

each other. He convinced her not to be afraid of their past experiences since nothing

last forever in this world, whether it is love or hatred.

c. Estranged

“Estranged” is a song about the most difficult time after Axl lose Stephanie.

It’s mainly about loneliness and despair caused by the irreparable loss of the person

he was strongly attached to.

The First Stanza

When you're talkin’ to yourself (l.1)

And nobody's home (l.2)

You can fool yourself (l.3)

You came in this world alone (l.4)

Axl now is in his deepest regret since Stephanie has left him. He calmed

himself down by thinking that he came to this world alone, so now it doesn’t matter

if he is in a loneliness.


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The Second Stanza

So nobody ever told you baby (l.5)

How it was gonna be (l.6)

So what'll happen to you baby (l.7)

Guess we'll have to wait and see (l.8)

Axl realized that no one knows what will happen in future so he tried to

suggest himself that those all “accidents” were only general life experiences which

everyone may also experience it in future. Meanwhile, all we have to do is to live

our life spontaneously and prepare for the worst.

The Third Stanza

Old at heart but I'm only 28 (l.9)

And I'm much too young (l.10)

To let love break my heart (l.11)

Young at heart but it's getting much too late (l.12)

To find ourselves so far apart (l.13)

Axl tried to fight his own ego after he realized all his mistakes. The battle

happened inside his mind for a long time. Until the time he couldn’t bear the regrets


48

that went around him, now he found that he was still young but he acted like he has

been adult enough to know everything about love. He also realized that the only

thing that might break his love should be the mortality; but when Axl tried to lower

his ego and tried to realized that he was still young, it was too late. Stephanie

Seymour has gone.

The Fourth Stanza

I don't know how you're s'posed (l.14)

To find me lately (l.15)

And what more could you ask from me (l.16)

How could you say that I never needed you (l.17)

When you took everything (l.18)

Said you took everything from me (l.19)

Axl was in a regret and anger after he realized that now he has nothing since

Stephanie has gone. His deepest regret was when he realized that she indirectly had

taken everything away from him; his heart, his feeling, his secondary life, and of

course his happiness. His anger became stronger when he remembered Stephanie’s

statement when she said that Axl never needed her, meanwhile she was the most

important part of Axl’s life at that time.


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The Fifth Stanza

Young at heart and it gets so hard to wait (l.20)

When no one I know can seem to help me now (l.21)

Old at heart but I mustn’t hesitate (l.22)

If I'm to find my own way out (l.23)

Axl’s feeling was clearly unstable at that time since his regrets were still going

surround him. He placed himself to the situation when he thought that he was an

adult to strengthen himself from regrets. He suggested himself that he was an adult,

so he shouldn’t hesitate to go out from his sorrow and looked for new better life.

Axl’s sadness was too deep that he felt no one could help him to get out from this

problem and the only person who could helped him was only he, himself since the

problem was also caused by his own fault.

The Sixth Stanza

Still talkin' to myself (l.24)

and nobody's home (l.25)


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Axl still felt deep down in a regret and sadness after all his brainstorm he gave

to he himself. It was unbelievable to him that she has left him in short period while

he was in his happiness to have her.

The Eighth Stanza

When I find out all the reasons (l.30)

Maybe I'll find another way (l31)

Find another day (l.32)

With all the changing seasons of my life (l.33)

Maybe I'll get it right next time (l.34)

After a long time, Axl was still thinking about the reason why he let Stephanie

Seymour gone; while after all he is now in a very deep sadness. He then promised

to himself that he would be a better person in future, with all the consequences of

any differences or changing situation in his life without Stephanie.

The Ninth Stanza

And now that you've been broken down (l.35)

Got your head out of the clouds (l.36)

You're back down on the ground (l.37)


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And you don't talk so loud (l.38)

And you don't walk so proud (l.39)

Any more, and what for (l.40)

Axl now defenselessly accept his fate that he only could see Stephanie

Seymour in his imagination. No more words to be spoken, and no more steps to be

walked; and he felt it’s all useless.

The Tenth Stanza

Well I jumped into the river (l.41)

Too many times to make it home (l.42)

I'm out here on my own, and drifting all alone (l.43)

If it doesn't show give it time (l.44)

To read between the lines (l.45)

'Cause I see the storm getting closer (l.46)

And the waves they get so high (l.47)

Seems everything we've ever known's here (l.48)

Why must it drift away and die (l.49)


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Axl has tried too many times to look deep down in a happy moment with

Stephanie in the past. He is now facing his life all alone by himself. Axl realized

that now the problem is getting worse by the time. All the memories appeared in

his mind, went around his head, and reminded him to his past.

The Eleventh Stanza

I'll never find anyone to replace you (l.50)

Guess I'll have to make it thru, this time- Oh this time (l.51)

Without you (l.52)

It is very clear that in this stanza Axl showed his very deep regret and he said

that he had no idea to live a life without Stephanie.

The Twelfth Stanza

I knew the storm was getting closer (l.53)

And all my friends said I was high (l.54)

But everything we've ever known's here (l.55)

I never wanted it to die (l.56)


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By the time, Axl realized that the problems were getting more and more

serious and he also realized that his friends; especially his band mate started to feel

about what he was experiencing at that time. That big problem was the loneliness

due to his discord with Stephanie. While Axl was wondering, he suddenly

remembered about what they had said in the past that he had to lower his ego and

tried to maintain a good relationship with her again. Unfortunately, it was too late;

and now the only thing he could do was living the rest of his life alone with the

sweet memories of a good time with Stephanie. He was totally lonely and in despair

and he is sinking into his regrets.

B. The Meaning of the Trilogy

1. Literal Meaning of the Trilogy

a. Don’t Cry

As the researcher analyzed at its lyrics, the researcher found some lines that

may strengthen the opinion about what the song is about. The first line found in the

first stanza.

There's something in your eyes (l.2)

In here, that “something” in her eyes probably means restrained tears, caused

by sadness because of Axl’s treatment to her. Another interpretation of that


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“something” is her unspoken words to Axl; caused by her fears of being treated

rudely by Axl.

The second line is also found in the first stanza.

And please don’t cry (l.4)

That phrase is the common statement which is often used by many people to

calm someone down or to ask someone not to cry. That statement is also used by

Axl as the continuance of his apology to Stephanie in term of serious mistakes he

has done.

The next lines are found in second stanza.



Those lines are the expression of someone who tries to calm down and

convince his/her beloved that he/she actually still loving him/her. Usually that

expression is stated after a great dispute which caused his/her beloved thinks that

he/she doesn’t love him/her anymore.

The next lines are found in the third stanza.


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I'll still be thinkin' of you (l.21)

And the times we had...baby (l.22)

Those lines imply a statement which is said by a person who still attached to

someone; so that he/she would still remember all of their good time. Deeper, Axl

didn’t want to lose Stephanie, even all the memories of them in the past.

The other lines are found in the fifth stanza.

You gotta make it your own way (l.31)

But you'll be alright now sugar (l.32)

You'll feel better tomorrow (l.33)

Come the morning light now baby (l.34)

Those lines can be simplified into a new statement where two lovers have

been parted. Meanwhile, Axl was still loving her so that he had to let her go and

wish that she will get the love she deserves in future.

In conclusion, “Don’t Cry” is a song about a man (Axl) who is cheating on

his lady (Stephanie Seymour). After the lady has known all his lies, she was

disappointed, felt uncomfortable, and finally left him. It made the man felt guilty

so that he tried to calm her down and he tried to persuade her not to leave because

he actually loved her very much.


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b. November Rain

There are some lines in this song which are supporting the fact of the main

idea of what the song is about. The first line is found in the first stanza.

I can see a love restrained (l.2)

There is a fear that implicitly depicted inside this phrase. The word

“restrained” implies a doubt to a something. That doubt may cause by a trauma of

someone’s past experiences or maybe by a threat, or something else.

The other lines are found in the second stanza.

And it's hard to hold a candle (l.7)


Those lines can be interpreted as Axl’s fear of Stephanie in interlacing a

relationship because of the doubt that she can’t hold on and survive through the

hard times during their relationship.

In the third stanza, the researcher found an expression of love at some lines.

We've been through this such a long long time (l.9)

Just tryin' to kill the pain (l.10)


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Those lines implicitly refer to a struggle between two lovers to maintain

their love. From the lines the researcher found that they have been through thick

and thin; up and down in their relationship only to achieve the relationship goal

they wanted in the beginning.

While some next lines in the third stanza represent Axl’s doubt.

But lovers always come and lovers always go (l.11)

And no one's really sure who's lettin' go today (l.12)

Those lines represent Axl’s fear about uncertainty in life due to his promise

to Stephanie not to do the same mistakes again in future. Those lines imply a

meaning that we all don’t know what will happen in this live. It could be a good

thing or even the worst thing. All we need is only to live in our path wisely in our

every step.

The whole lines in the fourth stanza give us an image of love and pain.

If we could take the time (l.14)

to lay it on the line (l.15)

I could rest my head (l.16)

Just knowin' that you were mine (l.17)

All mine (l.18)


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Those lines represent to a Axl’s willing to maintain his relationship with

Stephanie. In those lines, the researcher found that Axl loved Stephanie very much

and he imagined if only he could take the time to talk, to straighten, and to apologize

for the mistakes he had done, all the things were not going to be that bad and maybe

they both would finally lose their ego to realize that she was very precious for him

so that he wouldn’t let her go.

The next lines that showed Axl’s doubt are in the seventh stanza:

I know it's hard to keep an open heart (l.27)

When even friends seem out to harm you (l.28)

But if you could heal a broken heart (l.29)

Wouldn't time be out to charm you (l.30)

Those lines can be interpreted as Axl’s fear to have a relationship that has

ever been flawed before. It is clearly stated that Axl was facing a doubt whether to

keep or to let go that open heart; while open heart here means an open relationship.

Axl felt doubt about the continuous of his relationship since the situation was very

bad at that time. He was afraid to go on but he believed that efforts won’t lie; so he

thought that he shouldn’t hesitate.

Some lines in the ninth stanza; which is the last stanza of the song also showed

an implicit expression of a doubt.


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And when your fears subside (l.35)

And shadows still remain (l.36)

I know that you can love me (l.37)

When there's no one left to blame (l.38)

Those lines can be interpreted into Axl’s fear of being experienced the same

things again in future. Axl also attached a message of expectation in those lines.

Axl hoped that Stephanie could love him again in future without bobbing up and

down the problems in the past; because it is definitely very uncomfortable to live

with someone with the sorrow of the past.

However, some other lines in the ninth stanza are the opposite of some lines

above; since the following lines showed the expression of true love.

So never mind the darkness (l.39)

We still can find a way (l.40)


Even cold November rain (l.42)

In those lines, Axl conveyed to the reader that no matter how bad the situation

is; it will be easier for us to face that situation as long as we have the guts and

expectation; since troubles and burdens are not a big obstacle as long as there is an


60

effort to get out from it. Because nothing last forever in this world, whether it is

love or hatred.

From the surface interpretation of the song above, the researcher found some

messages about sincere love, pain of being questionable, and fear of a relationship

that has ever been flawed before. In conclusion, “November Rain” is a song about

love, pain and fear.

c. Estranged

Although this song is also a popular song, unfortunately many people still

have no idea about this song. After analyzing the lyrics of the song, the researcher

found some new idea through the lines and stanza in the song that may strengthen

our opinion about what the song is about. Most of the lines and stanzas showed the

implicit meaning of Axl’s regrets and despair due to his discord with Stephanie.

When you're talkin’ to yourself (l.1)

And nobody's home (l.2)

You can fool yourself (l.3)

You came in this world alone (l.4)

This stanza showed an expression of regrets. Those lines above implied that

Axl was talking to himself since now he had no one to talk since Stephanie has

gone, while Stephanie was the person who he usually talked to at that time.


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Other lines which showed Axl’s regrets are on the whole third stanza.

Old at heart but I'm only 28 (l.9)

And I'm much too young (l.10)

To let love break my heart (l.11)

Young at heart but it's getting much too late (l.12)

To find ourselves so far apart (l.13)

Those lines above showed an image of Axl’s recklessness due to mistakes

and the way of thinking that he has done to Stephanie. He thought that he was an

adult who knew everything about love and belongingness, otherwise he was still a

young man who still tried to understand what love is at that time.

The whole lines in the fifth stanza below showed Axl’s despair.

Young at heart and it gets so hard to wait (l.20)

When no one I know can seem to help me now (l.21)

Old at heart but I mustn’t hesitate (l.22)

If I'm to find my own way out (l.23)

It was almost the same with the third stanza but in this stanza, Axl stated his

despair which came along with the statement that he didn’t want to fall in his sorrow


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in a long time. He realized what he has done to Stephanie in the past, but it motivates

him to be a better person; at least at that time.

The whole lines in the eighth stanza also can be interpreted as Axl’s despair.

When I find out all the reasons (l.30)

Maybe I'll find another way (l.31)

Find another day (l.32)

With all the changing seasons of my life (l.33)

Maybe I'll get it right next time (l.34)

Those lines above completely showed that after Axl realized his mistakes, he

thought and thought again about what he could do in future to redeem his mistakes

that he has done in the past; since he totally didn’t want to be the same person who

failed in maintaining a good relationship for twice.

The other lines that showed his regrets and despair are in the whole twelfth

stanza.

I knew the storm was getting closer (l.53)

And all my friends said I was high (l.54)

But everything we've ever known's here (l.55)

I never wanted it to die (l.56)


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It is clearly seen that those lines showed Axl’s regrets for all the recklessness

he has done to Stephanie. He realized that bigger problems would come to him after

that accident. He also realized that he was putting himself too high before; which

means he put his ego higher than his love, so that Stephanie felt uncomfortable and

finally left him. He was totally lonely and in despair and he is sinking into his

regrets.

In conclusion, “Estranged” is a song about regrets due to the most difficult

time after Axl lose Stephanie Seymour. It’s mainly about loneliness and despair

caused by the irreparable loss of the person he was strongly attached to in the past.

2. Deeper Meaning of the Trilogy

After an analysis on the surface meaning of Guns N’ Roses’ trilogy (“Don’t

Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged”), this study takes the trilogy into

conclusion that it is a trilogy about sincere love, flawed relationship, and regrets.

Since this study deals with psychological approach, the researcher conducts the

analysis on the deeper meaning by applying the theory of motivation as proposed

by Maslow (1970). Maslow states that motivation is not the only determinant; other

variables such as effort expended, ability, and previous experience also influence

performance. In analyzing this trilogy, the researcher used the third hierarchy of

Maslow’s Theory of Motivation; which is “Love and Belongingness Needs”.


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a. Don’t Cry

In the lyrics, the phrase “don’t cry” represents an expression to calm someone

down or an expression to ask someone not to cry. If we look deeper, Axl said that

“don’t cry” phrase after he quarreled with Stephanie. He said it to her because

although he has broken his vow, he actually loved her very much.

Axl was a young rock star with a deviate life style which was full of drugs,

alcohol, and free sex at that time. Before he married Stephanie, he has ever been

married to Erin Everly but they finally divorced because of Axl’s deviate life style

also. Until the time Axl found Stephanie, he told that he loved her and promised her

not to do the same mistakes again. Stephanie believed him and she was willing to

accept him since she also loved him; but what happened after they got married were

not the same as her expectations, and that was the reason why she sad and cried.

Based on the facts above, the researcher found the deeper meaning of the song

by analyzing Axl’s motivation when he was doing that action in his past life. At the

previous relationship with Erin Everly, Axl was still a young man; which identically

full of delinquencies. In general, the nonage is the phase where people experiencing

fluctuation in their life; since it is the time where most things are changing. During

the changing process from childhood to adulthood, there are many things that are

faced by everyone.

Axl was a young rock star at that time; while the environment of a rock star

at that time was more diverge than nowadays since they were full of alcohol, drugs,

and free sex. Of course there was two desires that came to Axl’s mind at that time.

The first was the need to be free as a young man and the second was the need of his


65

life style environment. Axl couldn’t handle his needs at that time so that he felt to

that environment.

One of the triggers why he became a drugs and alcohol addict when he was

with Erin was because he was unsatisfied with their relationship or maybe he had

some vengeances with her, so that the drugs and alcohol were his getaway from his

problem. Other possibilities were because of his habit. As a rock star with

demanding schedule to play from a place to another place, he definitely only had a

little time to spend with Erin; while based on the third hierarchy of Maslow’s

Theory of Motivation (1970), love and belongings needs also include some aspects

of sex and human contact. From the explanation above, the reasons why Axl and

Erin divorced were clearly seen.

Long time after Axl divorced with Erin, he met Stephanie Seymour at a bar

named “Rainbow”. It was the bar where Guns N’ Roses members were usually

gathered and had some beer and liquor with their lady. By the time they often met,

they felt that something grew inside them both (will be explained later in

“November Rain”) and they “thought” that they loved each other. It is match with

the third hierarchy of Maslow’s Theory of Motivation (1970) which stated that one

of human’s needs in term of love and belongingness is human contact.

Axl was finally married to Stephanie. Based on third hierarchy of Maslow’s

Theory of Motivation (1970), it was because the need to belong to a family and the

need of sex and human contact. Axl loved her very much since she was willing to

accept him no matter what he was in the past, as long as he didn’t make the same

mistakes.


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They were going through thick and thin of their relationship, until a time they

found a serious problem that actually Axl couldn’t fulfill what he has promised to

Stephanie. Stephanie knew it and tried to bear but after some time, she couldn’t

bear it anymore. She tried to ask the fulfillment of what Axl has promised, but what

happened was dispute. They were quarreling and fought over a gun. Axl finally let

her win and left her (see appendix D). It is strengthened by some lines in the third

stanza of the alternate lyrics (see appendix C).

I know the things you wanted (15)

They're not what you have (16)

After Axl left her alone, Stephanie found a photo inside Axl’s personal diary.

There was a girl beside Axl on that photo and she remembered that the photo took

place in Rainbow bar (see appendix D). It implied that Axl couldn’t fulfill his vow

since he was still doing his old life style which led him to a divorce with Erin. If we

look deeper, it is because the desire for friendship and the wish for mate; as stated

by Maslow. The motivation behind that action was because Axl needed to life

“normally” as a rock star at that time; where drugs, alcohol, and free sex were

acceptable in the environment.

The next part is on the second stanza of the song.


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There's a heaven above you baby (l.13)

And don't you cry tonight (l.14)

In this stanza, Axl knew that he was the one to blame so he asked Stephanie

not to cry because he actually still loved her. He remembered his vow and he felt

guilty because he has broken it. If we look deeper from Maslow’s statement (1970),

this action was because of the desire for friendship. The friendship here was a friend

relation inside their love relation. The desire for friendship here was more likely

tend to a term of accompanying each other in living their life together; since loving

means giving and receiving each other. The other motivation was the wish for mate

since Axl remembered his promises and realized that Stephanie might left him if he

didn’t change immediately.

Axl has tried to reveal all his feeling but seemed that it didn’t work well.

Stephanie had already sick of him and she didn’t want to stay anymore and she

finally decided to leave him. It is strengthened by some lines in the third stanza of

the song.


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Give me a whisper and give me a sigh (15)

Give me a kiss before you (16)

tell me goodbye (17)

That stanza was actually based on the Stephanie’s action to Axl. Under

control of her emotion, Stephanie didn’t want to see Axl anymore and she left him

without a word. This Stephanie’s reaction was because the need to receive love as

stated by Maslow (1970). After all the time she had been with him, she realized that

she only gave her love but what she received was not the things she wanted. Another

fact that strengthened this act was on the video clip when Slash (lead guitar of Guns

N’ Roses) threw his guitar to the edge where he had a car accident (see appendix

D). In this scene, his guitar depicted a love, while the edge depicted a border of his

love. In another meaning, this scene was a message to Axl that he had to accept the

reality that he has lost Stephanie.

Entirely, this song is about a sincere love but it was not about a true love. This

conclusion is drawn from the Maslow statement (1970) which said that “love and

belongings also include some aspects of sex and human contact as well as the need

to both give and receive love”. It can be interpreted that true love is a love where

two lovers are giving and receiving each other. In this song, the researcher found

that the main fact which caused Stephanie left Axl was because she only gave her

love but she didn’t receive the love that she wanted.


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b. November Rain

In the lyrics of the song, the word “November” depicted a time of troubles

and sadness since November is the month where winter occurs; while winter here

means hard time. This song is directly related to the first song of the trilogy, entitled

“Don’t Cry since some meanings and sequence actions in this song were inserted

into “Don’t Cry” and the vice versa.

The continuance of the wedding chapter in “Don’t Cry” was inserted in this

song. After Axl divorced with Erin Everly, he met Stephanie Seymour. By the time

Axl and Stephanie often met, they felt that something grew inside them both; so

they loved each other, and they finally got married. After the marriage, they live

their marriage life normally like the others. What made it didn’t work normally after

some time was Axl’s vow related to the story behind their marriage.

Before Stephanie accepted Axl to be her husband, she asked Axl not to do his

same mistakes he had done in the past. Without any consideration, Axl agreed that

statement. Actually Stephanie didn’t totally believe him at that time since he

decided everything directly, and this was the reason why she had a fear inside her

heart.

Now we reach a time when they found a serious problem due to their

relationship; that she found Axl didn’t change and fulfill his vow. Now she started

to think that her fear was right. She was fear because she knew that Axl did all the

mistakes in the past because of life style; and not because an error. Another fact

which strengthened that statement was on the video clip, where the Stephanie

showed a worry face not long after they went out from chapel (see appendix D).


70

Based on Maslow’s statement (1970), love and belongingness also include the need

to give and receive love. That fear appeared because of the need to receive love,

and it was true that she was afraid of not receiving the love she wanted because she

knew that life style is hard to change.

Not only Stephanie who had a fear after all those things, but also Axl. He

started to worry that he couldn’t hold on into the relationship. This can be seen on

the third stanza of the song.

We've been through this such a long long time (9)

Just tryin' to kill the pain (10)

But lovers always come and lovers always go (11)

And no one's really sure who's lettin' go today (12)

That stanza clearly showed that Axl started to feel worry after some times he

had been with Stephanie. He felt that everything could always go wrong in this life

although the best has even done. The other reason why this song is about fear can

be seen in the fifth stanza.

So if you want to love me (19)

then darlin' don't refrain (20)

Or I'll just end up walkin' (21)

In the cold November rain (22)


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Since now they were in trouble, their relationship was not as good as in the

beginning. They had less communication, and both of them were living their life by

themselves. In this stanza Axl implicitly said that if Stephanie truly loved him, then

she shouldn’t hesitate; or he would just give up the relationship if there was no

moral support from her during his worst time. The reason of Axl’s fear was match

with Maslow’s statement (1970); it was because the aspect of human contact and

his desire for friendship.

This song is also about a flawed relationship. The part of that flawed

relationship starts here. After a long consideration, they finally gave a break to their

relationship. They were still having each other in term of Christian marriage; but

they have been separated in term of love because of flawed relationship, caused by

Axl himself. The impact of this decision was seen in the beginning of the video clip.

We can see that Axl took some tranquilizer before he went bed which means that

his psychological condition wasn’t good enough after that event (see appendix D).

The sorrow of his bad days with Stephanie affected him badly, so that his fear

became more serious. This statement is strengthened by some lines in the seventh

stanza.

I know it's hard to keep an open heart (27)

When even friends seem out to harm you (28)

Those lines can be interpreted as Axl’s fear in going through an open

relationship, since he realized that he couldn’t even took care of his closed


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relationship. He started to think about possessing Stephanie forever like what he

has said in his vow. This thought was the beginning of the main idea of the song

since it leads the story to the main events.

In the previous song (Don’t Cry), it was stated that the researcher found in

the video clip; where Axl fought with Stephanie over a gun but finally Axl let her

win. It was related to a scene in “November Rain” where Axl walked through a gun

store in midnight. That scene can be interpreted into Axl’s fear that someday

Stephanie would kill him by her gun, so that he bought a gun to protect himself.

The end of their relationship was actually started from this point. On a dispute,

it seemed that Axl was finally the one who shot Stephanie on her head. Another

suggestion is depicted on a scene in “Estranged”, when cops and medical team

ambushed Axl’s house and the medical team brought a hearse. It gives us an

imagination that has been a homicide inside Axl’s house. (see appendix D).

It is strengthened by some lines of the alternate version of “Don’t Cry” lyrics.

I was the one who's washing (7)

Blood off your hands (8)

His fear was totally wrong. He then realized that Stephanie loved her very

much so it was impossible that she killed him


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From the facts stated above in “Don’t Cry”, the researcher found that

Stephanie was actually a good person while Axl was the evil one. Axl’s fear was

too excessive at that time. His fear was actually because his need to receive love

that he has actually got from Stephanie, while he was the one who didn’t give his

love to Stephanie, instead.

Entirely, this song is about fear inside a flawed relationship. In this song, the

meaning of fear itself was Axl’s fear that someday Stephanie is owned by another

man. That was why he murdered her by a gunshot, so that no one could own her;

and so did Axl. Flawed relationship here was not a flaw inside the relation itself,

but it was flawed because of Axl’s cunning who murdered Stephanie in order to

make her owned by no one.

c. Estranged

Estranged is a condition where a husband or wife who is not now living with

the person they are married to. From that brief title which is clearly showed the

meaning of the word, the researcher found that it was because Axl wanted everyone

to know that he was the one to blame. It might be his expression of an apologize.

This song is actually the climax of the trilogy since the trilogy ended in Axl’s long

lasting regrets that maybe still continuing until this time.

This song considered as the last song of the trilogy since the song is about a

very deep regret of Axl Rose; which was known as an ignorant person, and it

completely depicts Axl’s regrets. From the statement above, the researcher

concludes that the regret was very serious and the pressure was very strong. One of


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his regrets depicted on a scene in “November Rain” where there is a blood-crying

Jesus sculpture which means: as a rock star, Axl depicted himself at that time as a

Jesus (a person who is known by everyone and can do anything) (see appendix D).

There are many statements which showed Axl’s regrets after he lost Stephanie that

found in this song. The first is on the whole third stanza.

Old at heart but I'm only 28 (9)

And I'm much too young (10)

To let love break my heart (11)

Young at heart but it's getting much too late (12)

To find ourselves so far apart (13)

That stanza can be interpreted as Axl’s regrets because he has messed up his

own life since he has done everything without thinking forward. He thought that he

was the center of the world so that he became arrogant and he didn’t notice to

anyone’s suggestions due to his relation; until the time he realized that everything

that he has afforded was too late and useless. The stanza also clearly showed his

confession that his acts were too reckless, whereas at that time he was still a young

man who still needed more experiences and advices. From the statement above, the

researcher found that Axl’s regret was actually because he has nobody to love;

while everyone needs love, and it is match with Maslow’s statement (1970) about

the need to belong to a family and the need to receive love.


75

The next statements are on some lines in the fourth stanza.

I don't know how you're s'posed (14)

To find me lately (15)

Those lines implied that Axl realized everything lately. He shouldn’t have

lost Stephanie if only he could bear his ego and take his anger off early. From that

explanation, Axl did that action because of the need to receive love so he doggedly

asked for Stephanie’s attention, whereas Stephanie was the one who had given her

love. That Axl’s need is match with Maslow’s statement (1970) about the need to

receive love.

The other reason that strengthen the statement that this song is about Axl

regret was found in some lines on eighth stanza.

And now that you've been broken down (35)

Got your head out of the clouds (36)

You're back down on the ground (37)

And you don't talk so loud (38)

And you don't walk so proud (39)

Any more, and what for (40)


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That stanza showed that after Axl and Stephanie had divorced, all the good

memories of their good times were suddenly appeared and haunting surround Axl’s

mind. Axl implicitly said that the memories were useless and it only made him sink

deeper in his regrets. If only the memories came earlier when they were still

together, maybe Axl would made it as a reminder that his happiness was actually

his relationship with Stephanie. From the statement above, the researcher concludes

that it is match with Maslow’s statement (1970) due to the aspect of human contact

and the need to receive love.

In the ninth stanza, the researcher also found some lines that strengthen the

statement in the paragraph above.

Seems everything we've ever known's here (48)

Why must it drift away and die (49)

Those lines implicitly said that all the good things they have done now mean

nothing since they have no time to spend together anymore. There should be more

good memories to be made actually if they were still together, but unfortunately it

was not the way they took. This statement is also strengthened by some line in the

eleventh stanza which is almost the same with the lines above, but it has deeper

meaning in term of long lasting regrets faced by Axl.


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But everything we've ever known's here (56)

I never wanted it to die (57)

The only thing Axl could get from Stephanie now was only the memories of

them; so that he doggedly didn’t want to forget it. From the statement above, the

researcher found that Axl trapped his own in his memories, and he intentionally

tortured himself within it so that he could feel what Stephanie also felt in the past;

or at least he still owned her although it was just her memories.

Entirely, the song is clearly about Axl’s very deep regret caused by his

recklessness in the past which caused the loss of his beloved. The word “beloved”

here is not only related to a person, but also it could be interpreted as a dream. It

also answered the question why this song is the climax of the trilogy, since the

trilogy depicted an image of love, dishonestly, and regrets. The researcher found

that the trilogy here actually means Axl’s journey in living his glamorous life which

ended because of dishonesty, and finally put him in a regret; while the common

problem that may ends someone’s prosperity are also wealth, throne, and love.


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CHAPTER V

CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATION, SUGGESTIONS, AND

REFLECTION

This chapter consists of four parts, namely Conclusion, Recommendation,

Suggestion, and Reflection. Conclusion presents the points and final remark

retrieved from the analysis. Recommendation presents some recommendation

for further teaching purpose. Suggestions present some suggestions for the

future researchers. Reflection presents the value learned by the researcher after

conducting the study.

A. Conclusions

Having analyzed the meaning of Guns N’ Roses’ trilogy which is consists of

“Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged” in chapter IV, this study has come

to an end. The writer has come to the conclusion of this study. This study deals with

meaning and it has two formulated problems. Those are “What do the song talk

about?” and “What is the meaning of the Guns N’ Roses trilogy; “Don’t Cry”,

“November Rain”, and “Estranged?” the answers of those two formulated problems

are the conclusion of this study.

The first answer deals with the content of the song in Guns N’ Roses’ trilogy

songs which are consists of “Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged”. As

described in chapter IV, the content of the songs in the trilogy are about a regret of

a man who lost his lady because of flaw inside their relationship caused by him.


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The second answer deals with the meaning of Guns N’ Roses’ trilogy songs

which are consists of “Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged”. It involves

psychological approach in order to get the deeper meaning of the trilogy. The

psychological approach on the trilogy results on a finding that the trilogy can be

interpreted as Axl’s journey in living his glamorous life which ended because of

dishonestly, and finally put him in a regret; while the common problem that may

ends someone’s prosperity are also wealth, throne, and love.

B. Recommendation

In the education field, the Guns N’ Roses’ trilogy can be used by the teachers

to conduct a learning in teaching poetry. Moreover, it can also be used to develop

students’ critical thinking on the sincere love, pain and fear, and regrets; especially

in the context of education. The teachers can relate it to the third hierarchy of

Maslow’s Theory of Motivation, which is The Need of Love and Belongingness.

C. Suggestions

Having analyzed Guns N’ Roses’ trilogy which is consists of “Don’t Cry”,

“November Rain”, and “Estranged”, the writer believes that this study can still be

developed. There are two aspects to suggest, namely:

1. For the future researchers, upon employing the theory of symbol

Theory of symbol is not an easy task to be employed. First, the researchers

have to master its approach; Marxism approach. Then, the researchers should


80

employ the theory to the study carefully since the Marxism approach looks for the

difference between male and female’s personality. However, the Marxism approach

as proposed by Karl Marx (19th century) is a perfect reference for the study since

Marx also gives examples on employing the approach.

2. For the future researchers on Guns N’ Roses’ trilogy

Upon conducting the research on Guns N’ Roses’ trilogy, the writer suggests

the future researchers to use the theory of motivation in order to find the deeper

meaning of the trilogy. Theory of motivation deals with psychological approach.

Moreover, the future researcher can go deeper by analyzing the emotional struggles

of the song writer.

D. Reflection

After conducting the study on the meaning of Guns N’ Roses’ trilogy, the

researcher found some moral values from the songs that can be implied in daily life.

From “Don’t Cry”, the researcher learned that if we love someone, we have to do it

sincerely before the love is really gone. From “November Rain”, the researcher

learned that we should take care of the love that we have because we never know

what will happen in future; but one thing that we have to always remember is that

anything can always go wrong. From “Estranged”, the researcher learned that

regrets mean nothing as long as we only sink in it, while we do nothing to redeem

it. It is always better for us to prevent than to cure.


81

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http://www.w-axl-rose.com/Bio/Bio_Axl.html

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APPENDICES

A. Appendix A: The Lyrics of the Songs in the Trilogy

Don’t Cry (Original Version)

Lyrics by: Axl Rose

Talk to me softly

There's something in your eyes

Don't hang your head in sorrow

And please don't cry

I know how you feel inside

I've been there before

Somethin's changin' inside you

And don't you know

Don't you cry tonight

I still love you baby



There's a heaven above you baby

And don't you cry tonight

Give me a whisper and give me a sigh

Give me a kiss before you

tell me goodbye

Don't you take it so hard now

And please don't take it so bad

I'll still be thinkin' of you

And the times we had...baby


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And please remember that I never lied

And please remember

how I felt inside now honey

You gotta make it your own way

But you'll be alright now sugar

You'll feel better tomorrow

Come the morning light now baby






Don't you ever cry


Baby maybe someday

Don't you cry

Don't you ever cry


Retrieved March 16, 2016 from: www.gunsnroses.com/lyrics/dont-cry-original.html


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November Rain

Lyrics by: Axl Rose

When I look into your eyes

I can see a love restrained

But darlin' when I hold you

Don't you know I feel the same

'Cause nothin' lasts forever

And we both know hearts can change

And it's hard to hold a candle

In the cold November rain

We've been through this such a long long time

Just tryin' to kill the pain

But lovers always come and lovers always go

And no one's really sure who's lettin' go today

Walking away

If we could take the time

to lay it on the line

I could rest my head

Just knowin' that you were mine

All mine

So if you want to love me

then darlin' don't refrain

Or I'll just end up walkin'

In the cold November rain


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Do you need some time...on your own

Do you need some time...all alone

Everybody needs some time... on their own

Don't you know you need some time...all alone

I know it's hard to keep an open heart

When even friends seem out to harm you

But if you could heal a broken heart

Wouldn't time be out to charm you

Sometimes I need some time...on my own

Sometimes I need some time...all alone

Everybody needs some time... on their own

Don't you know you need some time...all alone

And when your fears subside

And shadows still remain

I know that you can love me

When there's no one left to blame

So never mind the darkness

We still can find a way

'Cause nothin' lasts forever

Even cold November rain

Don't ya think that you need somebody

Don't ya think that you need someone

Everybody needs somebody

You're not the only one

You're not the only one

Retrieved March 16, 2016 from: www.gunsnroses.com/lyrics/november-rain.html


http://www.gunsnroses.com/lyrics/november-rain.html

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Estranged

Lyrics by: Axl Rose

When you're talkin to yourself

And nobody's home

You can fool yourself

You came in this world alone

So nobody ever told you baby

How it was gonna be

So what'll happen to you baby

Guess we'll have to wait and see

Old at heart but I'm only 28

And I'm much too young

To let love break my heart

Young at heart but it's getting much too late

To find ourselves so far apart

I don't know how you're s'posed

To find me lately

And what more could you ask from me

How could you say that I never needed you

When you took everything

Said you took everything from me

Young at heart and it gets so hard to wait

When no one I know can seem to help me now

Old at heart but I mustn’t hesitate

If I'm to find my own way out

Still talkin' to myself and nobody's home


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So nobody ever told us baby

How it was gonna be

So what'll happen to us baby

Guess we'll have to wait and see

When I find out all the reasons

Maybe I'll find another way

Find another day

With all the changing seasons of my life

Maybe I'll get it right next time

And now that you've been broken down

Got your head out of the clouds

You're back down on the ground

And you don't talk so loud

And you don't walk so proud

Any more, and what for

Well I jumped into the river

Too many times to make it home

I'm out here on my own, and drifting all alone

If it doesn't show give it time

To read between the lines

'Cause I see the storm getting closer

And the waves they get so high

Seems everything We've ever known's here

Why must it drift away and die

I'll never find anyone to replace you

Guess I'll have to make it thru, this time- Oh this time

Without you

I knew the storm was getting closer


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And all my friends said I was high

But everything we've ever known's here

I never wanted it to die

Retrieved March 16, 2016 from: www.gunsnroses.com/lyrics/estranged.html


93

B. Appendix B: Biography of Axl Rose

Born:

William Bruce Rose (raised "William/Bill Bruce Bailey")

February 6, 1962

Lafayette, IN

Instruments :

Piano, Guitar

Band History:

A.X.L.

Rapidfire

Rose

Hollywood Rose

L.A. Guns

Guns N' Roses

Side Projects :

Gilby Clarke's "Pawn Shop Guitars":

Axl appeared as background vocalist while playing piano, Track #8 :

"Dead Flowers" (Rolling Stones cover)

Outpatience (West Arkeen's band)

Axl appeared as background vocalist on "Anxious Disease"

Don Henley :

Axl appeared as background vocalist on "I Will Not Go Quietly"

Meatloaf :

Axl appeared as lead vocalist on "King Herod's Song", from "Jesus


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Christ Superstar"

Tom Petty :

Axl appeared as background vocalist on "The Best Of Everything"

Official Website:

gunsnroses.com

Background & Trivia:

Axl was sexually abused by his biological father, then physically abused by his

step-father, both at an early age.

Axl was raised as a "Bailey" until he discovered that his real last name was

"Rose". He then began using "Rose".

The Bailey household was strictly religious (Pentecostal).

Growing up, Axl took classical piano lessons, taught Sunday school, and sang in

the church (Pentecostal) choir. As a choirboy, he confused his teacher by singing

high vocal parts, though he was supposed to be second baritone.

He was an outcast in school, picked on for being "different". He found solace

singing in the school choir and church choir.

Axl changed his name to "W. Rose" at around the age of seventeen, later adding

the "Axl".

June 6, 1985 : Axl became lead singer for GNR.


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1986 : "William" legally became "Axl".

Biological father : William Rose, left the family when Axl was two years old.

Stepfather : L. Stephen/Steven Bailey

Mother : Sharon Bailey

Siblings : Amy (Bailey) & Stuart (Bailey), both younger than Axl.

Izzy Stradlin (Jeff Isbell) was one of Axl's best friends during teen years in

Lafayette, Indiana.

Despite his choral training, when the idea of joining a band first struck Axl, he

didn't envision himself as a vocalist. He was willing to do anything to be a part of

a group; he tried his hand at the keyboards and then changed over to bass. But by

and by, Axl ended up "on the mike" out of necessity, because he was the only guy

who could hit more than one note a week.

A psychiatrist once assessed Axl's behavior as "evidence of psychosis" due to

"Nothing above average IQ".

Axl was prescribed lithium to combat a manic-depressive disorder; but Axl

remained dubious about the diagnosis and medical treatment he received.

Married Erin Everly : April 1990; Divorced 1991 (daughter of Don Everly of

The Everly Brothers)

Erin was in the video "Sweet Child O' Mine"

Dated model Stephanie Seymour : 1991-1992

Stephanie was in the videos "November Rain", & "Don't Cry"

Axl was a huge Nirvana fan and asked Cobain to have Nirvana open up for


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GN'R. Kurt turned Axl down and taunted him in the press. This hurt Axl a great

deal.

Axl challenged Kurt Cobain to a fight during the 1992 MTV Video Music

Awards, after Cobain and his wife, Courtney Love, egged him on.

Axl is the only original member still involved in GNR.

Axl purchased the name "Guns N' Roses", and is sole owner.

Axl stayed completely out of the spotlight and did not grant any interviews

between 1994-1999.

2002 : Surprise performance at the MTV VMA's.

Last known residence : Latigo Canyon, Malibu

Beta Lebeis : Last known housekeeper - handling most of the shopping and

driving.

Affiliations : Axl was/ (is?) a member of PETA (People For The Ethical

Treatment of Animals).

Axl plays the voice of Tommy Smith, radio DJ of K-DST in the game

"Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas".

The character "Axl Low" in the "Guilty Gear" series of fighting games is clearly

named and modeled after Axl Rose .

Axl enjoys The Old Homestead Steak House in Chelsea (Ninth Avenue, NYC)

Retrieved April 13, 2016 from: http://www.w-axl-rose.com/Bio/Bio_Axl.html


http://www.w-axl-rose.com/Bio/Bio_Axl.html

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C. Appendix C: The Alternate Version of Don’t Cry lyrics

Don’t Cry (Alternate Version)

Lyrics by: Axl Rose

If we could see tomorrow

What of your plans

No one can live in sorrow

Ask all your friends

Times that you took in stride

They're back in demand

I was the one who's washing

Blood off your hands


I still love you baby





I know the things you wanted

They're not what you have

With all the people talkin' it's drivin' you mad

If I was standin' by you how would you feel

Knowing your love's decided

And all love is real


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I thought I could live in your world

As years all went by

With all the voices I've heard

Something has died

And when you're in need of someone

My heart won't deny you

So many seem so lonely

With no one left to cry to baby






Don't you ever cry


Baby maybe someday

Don't you cry

Don't you ever cry


Retrieved March 16, 2016 from: www.gunsnroses.com/lyrics/dont-cry-alternate.html


http://www.gunsnroses.com/lyrics/dont-cry-alternate.html

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D. Appendix D: The Scenes in the Trilogy Songs

The scenes where Axl fought over a gun with Stephanie and led her win.


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The scene when Stephanie found a photo of Axl and another lady at Rainbow

Bar


101

The scene when Slash threw his guitar to the edge where he had a car

accident


102

The scene when Stephanie showed a worry face not long after they went out

from chapel


103


104

The scene when Axl took some tranquilizer before he went bed


105

The scene when cops and medical team ambushed Axl’s house and the

medical team brought a hearse


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The scene of blood-crying Jesus sculpture


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