(RESURRECTION) Forward
Moving forward is Resurrections central theme. It addresses victims of police brutality and how her relationship is healing.
The women seen holding pictures of the men they lost in incidents of police brutality evoke strong emotions of sympathy towards them. People do not want to lose someone they love to incidents that are uncalled for. "It's time to listen, its time to fight" - It is time for society to bring an end to the brutality and discrimination that is still taking place.
This chapter is also about how her relationship with Jay Z is in the process of healing. It follows the chapter Forgiveness (Sandcastles) and creates a sense of reconciliation. She has forgiven and is now ready to start moving forward again. "Go back to sleep in your favorite spot just next to me" This quote embodies the love that has come back into their relationship stronger than ever.
The women seen holding pictures of the men they lost in incidents of police brutality evoke strong emotions of sympathy towards them. People do not want to lose someone they love to incidents that are uncalled for. "It's time to listen, its time to fight" - It is time for society to bring an end to the brutality and discrimination that is still taking place.
This chapter is also about how her relationship with Jay Z is in the process of healing. It follows the chapter Forgiveness (Sandcastles) and creates a sense of reconciliation. She has forgiven and is now ready to start moving forward again. "Go back to sleep in your favorite spot just next to me" This quote embodies the love that has come back into their relationship stronger than ever.
(HOPE) Freedom
After showing how Beyonce came back from a difficult state of mind in the previous chapter Resurrection, hope surfaces. It shows how an individual has the power (freedom) to make changes in their life. In this chapter Beyonce promotes justice for African Americans and women.
Through her visual of her being chained to a post on stage, it serves to represent the restraints society places on people. She is speaking to all who have been wronged by society, telling them to be their own heroes and create their own opportunities. The lyrics "Freedom! Freedom! I can't move" - the ideas of freedom and being immobile contrast each other in which freedom is about being flexible and roaming wherever one chooses. An individual cannot be free if they cannot move, it is impossible.
When Beyonce is walking through the tunnels in the beginning of this chapter she walks through one archway that leads her to the light. This scene strongly enforces the feeling of hope that arises after a long period of looking. After a few of her chapters portray the feeling of helplessness, whether it be in a relationship or in society, this segment serves to reinforce the idea of breaking through the restraints that were placed on her.
The audience gets a glimpse as to who has influenced Beyonce in her life throughout the album. A clip of Jay Z's grandmother Hattie White is featured in this chapter and acts as a support for what Beyonce is advocating. "I had my ups and downs, but I always find the inner strength to pull myself up. I was served lemons, but I made lemonade." When going through a difficult time, one might not think there is an end to the depression but after going through this process that Beyonce has set up, individuals will discover the light at the end of the tunnel - the hope. They can take a undesirable situation and turn into something great.
Through her visual of her being chained to a post on stage, it serves to represent the restraints society places on people. She is speaking to all who have been wronged by society, telling them to be their own heroes and create their own opportunities. The lyrics "Freedom! Freedom! I can't move" - the ideas of freedom and being immobile contrast each other in which freedom is about being flexible and roaming wherever one chooses. An individual cannot be free if they cannot move, it is impossible.
When Beyonce is walking through the tunnels in the beginning of this chapter she walks through one archway that leads her to the light. This scene strongly enforces the feeling of hope that arises after a long period of looking. After a few of her chapters portray the feeling of helplessness, whether it be in a relationship or in society, this segment serves to reinforce the idea of breaking through the restraints that were placed on her.
The audience gets a glimpse as to who has influenced Beyonce in her life throughout the album. A clip of Jay Z's grandmother Hattie White is featured in this chapter and acts as a support for what Beyonce is advocating. "I had my ups and downs, but I always find the inner strength to pull myself up. I was served lemons, but I made lemonade." When going through a difficult time, one might not think there is an end to the depression but after going through this process that Beyonce has set up, individuals will discover the light at the end of the tunnel - the hope. They can take a undesirable situation and turn into something great.
(REDEMPTION) All Night
Redemption (All Night) is the last chapter in Beyonce's narrative arc. This is the final stage for her healing process. It implies that her and Jay Z have made amends and plan to keep working on their relationship. It is not the end of her story, just the end of this story line.
The imagery of Beyonce walking through the open field emphasizes the fact that there is still room for growth and happiness in her life. The field is vast and never seems to end just like she hopes her love will be - everlasting.
This last chapter brings up a few ideas that were created in the beginning - vulnerability "I've seen your scars and kissed your crime"; she was there for Jay Z in his moments of vulnerability - pushing the boundaries; Beyonce is challenging the restraints thrust onto women and African Americans - starting new "They say true love's the greatest weapon"; Beyonce is not restarting her life, she is creating a foundation for her and her family to live on.
In this chapter Beyonce is in the same outfit as she wore in Daddy Lessons, this adds to emphasize the desire for her past to remain a central idea in her life and for her love to last as long as her memories do.
The imagery of Beyonce walking through the open field emphasizes the fact that there is still room for growth and happiness in her life. The field is vast and never seems to end just like she hopes her love will be - everlasting.
This last chapter brings up a few ideas that were created in the beginning - vulnerability "I've seen your scars and kissed your crime"; she was there for Jay Z in his moments of vulnerability - pushing the boundaries; Beyonce is challenging the restraints thrust onto women and African Americans - starting new "They say true love's the greatest weapon"; Beyonce is not restarting her life, she is creating a foundation for her and her family to live on.
In this chapter Beyonce is in the same outfit as she wore in Daddy Lessons, this adds to emphasize the desire for her past to remain a central idea in her life and for her love to last as long as her memories do.
(FORMATION)
Formation is not apart of the album Lemonade but it is included at the very end because it drives home the issues presented in Lemonade - gender and race. The song and video on there own force the audience to address the issues and no longer sweep them under the rug.
In the beginning of the video Beyonce is shown sitting on a half immersed police car and as the video/song progresses the police car sinks deeper into the water until it is completely submerged. These visuals paired with the lyrics "I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it" work to enforce the power individuals have to end the brutality they are facing. If people work together they can overcome and rise above the challenges they face.
Women's empowerment is strongly represented throughout this video. The visuals of all of the females dancing together and forming a line signifies how powerful women are. They are a powerful force that dares to be challenged. "Okay ladies, now get in formation" - This quote reinforces the idea of strength in numbers and the influence she and others like her have on the world.
Beyonce's album was created to empower women and African Americans in today's society. It was released at a point of darkness; there seems to be more and more incidents of gender and racial discrimination in the United States as of lately.
In the beginning of the video Beyonce is shown sitting on a half immersed police car and as the video/song progresses the police car sinks deeper into the water until it is completely submerged. These visuals paired with the lyrics "I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it" work to enforce the power individuals have to end the brutality they are facing. If people work together they can overcome and rise above the challenges they face.
Women's empowerment is strongly represented throughout this video. The visuals of all of the females dancing together and forming a line signifies how powerful women are. They are a powerful force that dares to be challenged. "Okay ladies, now get in formation" - This quote reinforces the idea of strength in numbers and the influence she and others like her have on the world.
Beyonce's album was created to empower women and African Americans in today's society. It was released at a point of darkness; there seems to be more and more incidents of gender and racial discrimination in the United States as of lately.