Bob Dylan Knows That Size Really Does Matter (When Telling Stories)
A lesson in scale in terms of storytelling as shared by the rock legend
While reading Bob Dylan’s THE PHILOSOPHY OF MODERN SONG — really, more of a subjective history of his favorite songs of the past century or so — I was struck by an observation the rock legend made about scale in terms of cinematic storytelling but, really, all storytelling. It’s an observation that speaks to how human beings perceive and understand peril and suffering as it is experienced by others. Specifically, how they’re — for lack of better words — entertained by it. I thought I’d share it with you as a bonus feature; however, this one is exclusively for paid subscribers this time around as a little something extra to show my gratitude for their support of my writing here at Substack.
My favorite part about Dylan’s lesson here is that it’s told through the lens of a Billy Wilder masterpiece - ACE IN THE HOLE (1951). Here’s a trailer for the film before you read on.