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Hailey Hopp

Professor Charles Freeland

ENG COMP 1201

14 February 2021

Rhetorical Analysis

“Jolene” is an original song by famous country artist Dolly Parton and has become a

musical classic, inciting the creation of many adaptations since its release in 1974. The song

details a woman’s struggle to retain her relationship with her husband following his meeting with

the beautiful Jolene. This song is based on a true story that happened to Dolly when a banker

continuously flirted with her husband (Carter, 1). The most popular adaptation is by the White

Stripes. They released the single’s music video of a live performance in 2004, three decades after

the original. The videos for both songs are of live performances, but cater to two very different

audiences and purposes. The White Stripes’ music video purpose was to confront their own

emotions regarding their partner leaving with Jolene, and Dolly Parton’s music video aims to

confront and plead with Jolene to not steal away her love.

Considering that the song Dolly wrote is based on a true story, the intended audience of

the original music video is Jolene. Throughout the video, she stares directly into the camera as

she sings, and even when the angle changes, her eyes are always looking at the viewer. The video

was meant to be confrontational, as if she was actually speaking and having a conversation with

her intended audience, Jolene. The lyrics of the song are like a one-sided conversation as well,

addressing Jolene and pleading with her. Jolene in this video is representative of everyone who

threatens an already existing relationship. Additionally, throughout the entirety of this music

video, Dolly is sitting down. This puts her into a position of vulnerability, painting herself as the
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victim in this situation. Furthering this idea of innocence, she dressed herself to be the epitome of

femininity. She is wearing a pink dress with a frilly white-lace collar. Her makeup is perfectly

manicured and her curled platinum blonde hair is sky-high with volume, perpetuating this idea

that she is meak and the audience should feel bad for her. This image portrayed is meant to

appeal to the viewer’s emotions and convince them to sympathize with Dolly. The only props are

a pure white picket fence, symbolic of a picture perfect home, and a few tiny trees sitting behind

her. The stage is a small area with light blue walls, reminiscent of the sky on a sunny day. These

props are intended for the viewer to imagine her outside, in the country. This music video

portrays the innocent Southern bell trope, with the purpose to make the viewer and her intended

audience - Jolene - pity her. This is done in the hopes that she will leave Dolly’s husband alone.

The White Stripes’ rendition of “Jolene” takes place in a much larger and more modern

concert venue. The room is extremely dark, lit only by red lights. The instruments and outfits of

the band, and even the red carpet on the stage match this red and black theme. These two colors

emote a very different image and emotion than the bright cheerful colors of Dolly’s video. They

represent despair, frustration, rage, and emotional turmoil. Their video matches these emotions

exactly. The way the lyrics are sung, however, is the biggest difference between the two music

videos. Dolly’s video is country and the White Stripes are an alternative rock band. Alternative

rock is known as a very loud and emotional genre of music that focuses on expression, whereas

country is often much milder and less nuanced. This difference in genres can help to show us

how the purpose and audiences are different - Dolly’s being more literal and confrontational

towards a person and the White Stripes’ version being more confrontational towards their own

feelings. The White Stripes sing “Jolene” as if they have already lost their lover, and they are

trying to come to terms with it. The raw emotion the band’s singer demonstrates, in which he
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often sounds like he’s crying/yelling, makes the listener believe there is no hope in saving the

relationship, whereas the cheery and hopeful undertones of Dolly’s video makes the listener

believe there is still a chance that she can keep her husband. Another way this relationship is

continued is through the most used angle in the White Stripes’ video in which the camera is

closely stationed beneath the singer, with his microphone blocking the middle of his face, and,

most notably, his eyes. This is the exact opposite of Dolly’s video, in which she kept direct eye

contact with the camera at all times. This furthers the idea that the cover is about confronting

emotions, not another person. The audience of this video is younger, alternative listeners, who

can relate to this feeling of loss, whereas Dolly’s version is aimed at Jolene. While both music

videos contrast sharply in their styles, they both rely heavily on pathos, appealing to the viewer’s

emotions. They are both from live performances, and rely on videography, expression, and

performance rather than stats, credibility, or logic to move the viewer.

Overall, the two different “Jolene” music videos by the White Stripes and Dolly Parton of

“Jolene” have different purposes and address separate audiences. The White Stripes’ video is

emotionally indulgent and calls for other scorned lovers and alternative listeners to join in their

struggle to come to terms with losing their relationship. On the other hand, Dolly Parton’s video

addresses Jolene, pleading with her not to destroy her relationship by victimizing herself.
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Works Cited

Carter, Maria. "Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' Was Inspired by Real Events: Here's the True Story."

Country Living, 11 Nov. 2019, www.countryliving.com/life/a36190/dolly-parton-jolene/.

Accessed 14 Feb. 2021.

"Dolly Parton-Jolene [Official Music Video]." YouTube,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m71Jbi7NkU. Accessed 14 Feb. 2021.

"The White Stripes-Jolene (Official Music Video)." YouTube,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXlULkwhgrc. Accessed 14 Feb. 2021.