ContradictionsParadoxes The Hidden Meaning of “M.I.A.” through Deconstruction Analysis

singing style suggests that the main character fears about something. On the other hand, the smooth singing style shows that the main character is already calm after the series of shouting and screaming. The tone shift in this stanza becomes the most complex tone shift in “M.I.A.”. The last shiftbreak can be seen in the last stanza of “M.I.A.”. This stanza utilizes the same tone as the first stanza. Thus, it shows that the main character is not in the middle of the war. The researcher concludes that this stanza portrays the main character after the war or post-war. The interesting thing occurs within the last line of the last stanza; it is sung very emotionally. This stanza shows a strong atmosphere of sorrow. This atmosphere is inconsistent with courage which becomes the general atmosphere of the song. 2 ShiftBreak in AbsenceOmissions The shiftbreak in absenceomission presents in the seventh stanza. In order to show the clear omission that occurs in the seventh stanza, the researcher provides the first stanza as a comparison since the first and the sixth stanza share similarity in words below: The First Stanza …. …. …. Lend me your courage to stand up and fight On tonight Oooooo…. Stand up and fight The Seventh Stanza …. …. …. Lend me your courage to stand up and fight From the two stanzas above, it is clear that the first stanza contains six lines. While, the seventh stanza only contains four lines. It means that there are two lines that are omitted in the seventh stanza. The lines that are omitted in the seventh stanza are “On tonight” and “Ooooo…. Stand up and fight”. The omission of those lines shows an inconsistency in writing as those two stanzas share the same lines except the omitted lines on the seventh stanza. Further, another repeated stanza is written exactly the same as seen in the fourth and sixth stanza. In order to reach better understanding the significance behind the omission in the seventh stanza, the researcher looks upon the omitted lines. The first omitted line is “On tonight” which follows the line “Lend me your courage to stand up and fight”. The omitted line indicates the time when the main character needs the courage to stand up and fight. While, the second omitted line, “Ooh… Stand up and fight” emphasizes the purpose of the courage asked by the main character. On the other hand, those lines are omitted in the seventh stanza. It only leads to possibilities that the main character has enough courage to fight in the war, or the main character needs no more courage because he does not want to fight in the war anymore. 3 ShiftBreak in Attitude Shiftbreak in attitude occurs in the ninth stanza. This stanza contrasts other s tanzas in “M.I.A.”. Here, the main character’s expectation