Song Analysis 1: Man In The Mirror

The world would be a better place if everyone desired to make it better. In oreder to make the world a better place, you must start with yourself. Focusing on things that he would like to change in the world, Michael Jackson uses natural personification, dependent imagery, and open-minded characterization in “Man in the Mirror” in order to “make the world a better place” you must “take a look at yourself, and make that change.”

Natural personification is used throughout the song in order to convey the desires in changing the world to make it a better place. As he is walking down the street, the “wind is blowing my mind,” suggesting, through his word choice, has the ability to put thoughts in his head. These thoughts that the wind are putting into his head may be how to change the world due to the sights on the streets. As he continues on his way down the street, he starts to think of “a summer’s disregards,” implying that the summer does not care about the matter at hand. Later on, Jackson is describing that he has been held captive by “a selfish kinda love,” although love cannot only care about itself. by this, Jackson is trying to convey the message that the love generated towards him was meant for no one else but him, therefore blocking out the world and ignoring the people more in need of that love. The desires to change the world to make it a better place throughout the song can be seen in natural personification, as well as dependent imagery.

Dependent imagery truly shows why he wants to change the world. At one point, he is walking and he sees “the kids in the street/ with not enough to eat.” Expressing his concern about the children without enough food, he implies that something should be done to change this. When Jackson is talking about how he plans to make the world a better place, he decides that he is “starting with the man in the mirror,” referring to himself. Jackson believes that in order to make a change in the world, you must start with yourself to make that change first, and others will follow. Imagery is used throughout the song in such a manner as to make it look dependent, along with characterization which seems to have a connotation of open-mindedness in order to express the changes he would like to see in the world.

Jackson’s optimistic disposition in the song can be characterized by open-mindedness. As he is walking down the street, he wonders “who am I to be blind/ pretending not to see their needs,” referring back to seeing the starving kids in the street. He is asking himself why he chooses not to notice the needs of these children when they are so apparent, implying that something should be done about this. When Jackson is thinking about changing the world, he decides that he must start “with the man in the mirror,” conveying that in order to make that change that you want to see, you must start with yourself. Thinking to himself about what must be changed, he realized “that there are some with no home,” suggesting that instead of worrying about his own problems, he must worry about people who have it worse than him. Open-minded characterization can be seen throughout the song in order to assist in showing the theme of desire.
Focusing on things that he would like to change in the world, Michael Jackson uses natural personification, dependent imagery, and open-minded characterization in “Man in the Mirror” in order to “make the world a better place” you must “take a look at yourself, and make that change.” Jackson expresses his desires to improve the world throughout the song to show that change can happen as long as anyone is willing to start with themselves and make that change.