Time

The theme of time plays a significant role both the novel and the movie. Dylan obsesses the about the concepts of time, especially the interplay between the past and present, and how they have affected and inspired him. Dylan’s heroes are all from the past. He idolizes all the John Henry’s, cowboys, and other good old American heroes in his folk songs, and is most inspired by Woody Guthrie. Dylan describes, “The madly complicated world was something I took little interest in… All this was current, played out and in the open” (20). The “this” refers to Dylan’s repertoire of past inspirations—Woody Guthrie, John Henry-type heroes, cowboys—and how their messages are universal and appear in the present. However, Dylan is very aware of his present surroundings, and constantly gives the reader a background of current events to put his story and actions into context. He talks of the Kennedy, King and Malcom X assassinations and how it affects him as a father (114). He mentions Castro and Cuba, Vietnam and the student reaction in 1968, and even the Johnny Cash radio show. Dylan found a balance between the present and past in his life and music; his autobiography chronicles pop culture and Americana from the 50’s onward (maybe the reason he titles his novel The Chronicles: Volume One? Long stretch I know...)

I’m Not There furthers this relationship between the past and present. One of my favorite lines about time in the movie was when the hostess told Woody to “sing about his own time.” It contradicts Dylan’s original focus solely on the past, and explains the inspiration for some of his musical transitions. The characters in the story are also living in different time eras and all represent different times in their lives. They are related in a way that transcends or deals with time. For instance, Billy, who lives back in old Western Times, meets up with 11 year old Woody Guthrie at Riddle (Dylan’s hometown). The old personality and childhood personality meet in the same time era, both in the past. Another examples is how Robbie makes his break into the acting scene by playing Jack and the mysticism surrounding his turn to religion. This interrelation between the characters scrambles any logical structure of time. What is Dylan trying to say about time in the novel? Chronology is not important, but why does he chose to tell us certain things about his life and inspirations at certain times in the novel when we have already read (or haven’t read) certain parts?

Although the future is not discussed as prevalently, my favorite line is the same quote Vu used a mere post before: “The future was nothing to worry about. It was awfully close” (104). The concept of the future inherently symbolizes mystery. Dylan personifies this through his mystic portrayal. Even the novel’s title plays into the mystery of the future, implying that perhaps there will be a Volume Two. I am not exactly what to make on Dylan’s views on the future. Any thoughts?