Analysis Of Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now

Across the lifespan of a human being, there are stages of growth that test and determine one’s likelihood to live a healthy life. Developmental theorists such as Erik Erikson, Maslow, and Jean Piaget, have come to a consensus, stressing the necessity to complete stages in order to continue life. Without adequately achieving these challenges, it may cause foreseeable problems in the future. In Joni Mitchell’s song “Both Sides Now”, the artist tackles her own developmental challenge of differentiating illusion from reality. More specifically, it gives insight to the necessity of growth with repetition, as a way of completing the artist’s transition from youth to adulthood within the concepts of love and friendship. Using an illusionary lens

The development begins when she goes through experiences that teaches her the hardships of life, thus propelling her into a transitional stage. This transition stage is where the artist starts her growth out of being an illusionist. When concerning love, she realizes that, “[she’s] looked at love that way/ But now it 's just another show/ You leave 'em laughing when you go/ And if you care, don 't let them know/ Don’t give yourself away,” (lines 16-20). In contrast to her illusionist perspective on love, her new found experiences have proven that though love can be uplifting, the feeling does not last forever. In other words, love can easily turn sour if tossed around carelessly. Therefore, adopting a fuller perspective on the complexities of love. Following a similar fashion, she details the hurt that she’s dealt with due to friendships: “I 've looked at life that way/ Oh but now old friends are acting strange/ They shake their heads, they say I 've changed/ Well something 's lost but something 's gained/ In living every day,” (lines 28-32). Mitchell learns that the exciting and full experience of beginning friendships, does not always end that way. As they begin to mature, their paths do not intersect. Instead of being jaded by the loss of companionship, she instead realizes that loss does not mean it is the end. Mitchell gains a fuller understanding of the realities of friendship and grows out of her illusionist mindset, moving towards a realist perspective. Throughout the song, she repeats similar lines that emphasizes this change: “I’ve looked at love that way,”(line 16) later followed by, “I’ve looked at life that way,” (line 28). This is used as a reminder that she is not the same person she was before. It also emphasizes the necessity of change in order to develop throughout the