"Eleanor Rigby" Analysis

“Eleanor Rigby,” one of the Beatles most appealing songs is in relation to the loneliness and lost love of all people. The theme of this song just happens to be similar to the denotation of the song: loneliness. The theme is supported by the Beatle use of connotation and figurative language.

Connation, the use of words, plays a noteworthy role in the song. This part of poetry assists with the explanation of the lives of Eleanor Rigby and Father McKenzie. The first stanza “Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice/ In the church where a wedding / Has been/ Lives in a dream / Waits at the window, wearing the / Face that she keeps in a jar by / The door / Who is it for?” (Beatles 3-10), illustrates the storyline of Eleanor Rigby as a worker who picks up rice after weddings. The third stanza “Father McKenzie writing the words / Of a sermon that no one will her / No one comes near / Look at him working. Darning his / Socks in the night when there’s nobody there / What does he care?” (Beatles 15-21), portrays the tale of the many vacant and futile sermons that aid no one. Both stanzas illustrate the mortifying suffering of loneliness. As a result of this loneliness, Eleanor Rigby died and was buried alone in a graveyard. Father McKenzie, too, proceeds to encompass roughly the same lonely life since he still is incapable of saving lives. Although the characters are not authentic, the listener can relate to the pain and torment felt by both characters.

Figurative language, the use of figures of speech, also plays a major role in supporting the theme of the song. The Beatles utilize rhetorical questions to convey the repetitive meaning of loneliness. The line “Who is it for?” (Beatles) speaks of Eleanor’s probable yearning to unearth a lover or acquaintance. The next line, “All the lonely people, / Where do they all belong?” (Beatles 11-12), questions the location of the calamity of all lonely people.

Overall, “Eleanor Rigby” evokes the ceaseless sentiment of loneliness felt by so many, yet acknowledged by so few. Once again, Lennon and McCartney composed a genius song that simply relates to many people.