Little Green Analysis

Andrew Morse Block: A Transitioning from her final goodbyes to her realization of her child's fate, in "Little Green" Joni Mitchell utilizes naturalistic figurative language, dichotomous mood, and innate characterization to show that "there'll be sorrow" before Little Green can "have a happy ending." Throughout little green there is many references to nature and the environment. Even the title "Little Green" is a direct reference to nature. The imagery is almost all in relation to nature, "Call her green and the winters cannot fade her." Joni Mitchell isn't really going to name the child green she is just figuratively speaking and the imagery in the line relates back to the theme of spring and nature. There are also several other instances where figurative language is used; "Like the nights when the Northern lights perform." This line features personification because it is saying that the northern lights perform however the lights cannot do that for they are innanimate. A unique feature of "Little Green" is the dichotomous mood. The mood starts out somewhat optomistic then transitions into a more sad and sorry mood. In the first verse the last line is "Little green, be a gypsy dancer." This is Mitchell's way of telling her child to do whatever she wants as long as it makes her happy. Later in the song the mood shifts, "He sends you a poem and she's lost to you", "You're sad and you're sorry but you're not ashamed. The subject matter shifts to Mitchell's realization of her child's fate which takes away her optimism. Like any song "Little Green" possesses characterization. However ,unlike many songwriters and authors, Mitchell doesn't devote any part of her song to characterization. "Little Green" tells the story of Mitchell's daughter that she was too young to support and had to put up for adoption. There is an emotional narrative in "Little Green", especially for a short song. As one experiences the story the recieve all of the characterization they need at the same time. After hearing the song one could give a good description of Mitchell, her daughter "Little Green" and the father of her child who walked out on them. "Little Green" is a deep and personal song for Mitchell. If one simpily listened to the song they might not have been aware of the true subject matter of the song. However with a thorough analysis one suddenly is aware of a dark and personal time in Joni Mitchells life. This realization is reserved for the attentive and those who can decipher the hidden literary devices packed throughout the song.