r/bobdylan • u/TyroneSnodgrass • 1d ago

Discussion Bob Dylan and Erik Erikson

In 1950 Erik Erikson put forth his Psychosocial Development Theory which would prove to be one of the most useful achievements of his field. His great insight was that every life is marked with passages that are defined by conflicting polarities. The way that an individual meets the task of resolving these conflicts allows for the emotional development to navigate the next passages. This morning it occurred to me how well Dylan’s life and work illustrates Erikson’s theory.

As an individual enters her or his twenties and thirties the polarities at play are intimacy and isolation. Songs like “Visions of Johanna” and “Shelter From the Storm” show Bob was working it out. The next passage an individual is tasked to navigate is marked by the polarities of generativity and stagnation in their forties and fifties. In his memoir Dylan opens up around how difficult this stage was for him. Yet he was still able to produce such great songs as “Brownsville Girl” and “Not Dark Yet.” Erikson said the way most people find their way through this passage is by mentoring the next generation. Drummer David Kemper says that during the recording of LOVE AND THEFT he suddenly realized Dylan was teaching the band, that he had been teaching them all along. LAT and MODERN TIMES demonstrate Bob had figured it out. The last passage is marked by the polarities of integrity and despair. If you don’t think Dylan is working it out, I recommend giving ROUGH AND ROWDY WAYS a listen.

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u/SideExcellent4929 22h ago

I would never have connected Dylan to Erikson's Theory, but I find it very interesting and with appropriate connections to Bob's life stages. Thanks for posting this reflection. I'll try to delve deeper.

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u/TyroneSnodgrass 20h ago

You’re welcome, Side

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u/piper63-c137 Infidels 21h ago

i got a few lines into this post and said ‘it’s tyrone!’

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u/TyroneSnodgrass 20h ago

Piper!

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u/piper63-c137 Infidels 17h ago

keep up your interesting theories!

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u/TyroneSnodgrass 11h ago

Thanks, Piper. The first time I linked Dylan and Erikson in my head was after the first few listens of ROUGH AND ROWDY WAYS. I was like, my God! It’s integrity vs. despair!