☝️ Key Points
- The protagonist is initially 'just a poor boy' searching for his place in the world, but often encounters empty promises (symbolized by 'a pocket full of marbles') and is disappointed.
- The protagonist leaves his home and family to venture into the unknown world. He wanders through 'the poorest quarters' seeking understanding and acceptance.
- On his journey, the protagonist experiences times of despair and loneliness, often relieved by the company of prostitutes. This shows his deep longing for belonging, security, and warmth.
- The protagonist's desire to return home contrasts with the harsh reality of cold winter nights in New York City that make him 'bleed'.
- 'The Boxer', the title and central symbol of the song, represents the persistence and unwavering fighting spirit of the protagonist, who doesn't give up despite all the obstacles and disappointments.
Interpretation
The song 'The Boxer' by
Simon and Garfunkel is a poetic narrative about the struggle of a young man searching for his place in the world.
In the first verse, the protagonist talks about being 'just a poor boy' whose story is seldom told. He describes how he has wasted his resilience for 'a pocketful of mumbles', which metaphorically represents empty promises. The lines 'All lies and jest / Still, a man hears what he wants to hear / And disregards the rest' show that people often only hear what they want to hear and disregard the rest.
In the next part of the song, the protagonist leaves his home and family and embarks on a journey into the unknown. He moves through 'the poorest quarters' where the 'ragged people' go and looks for places that only they would know. This suggests that he is searching for understanding and acceptance on his journey.
In the middle of the song, the protagonist looks for work but finds no offers. He feels lonely and finds solace in the arms of prostitutes. These lines show his desperation and loneliness in his search for belonging and stability.
In the last part of the song, the protagonist longs to go home where the winter nights in New York City won't make him 'bleed'. The 'boxer' in the song is a metaphor for the protagonist himself, who despite all the defeats and pains keeps on fighting. 'In his anger and his shame / 'I am leaving, I am leaving' / But the fighter still remains' shows that he doesn't give up and keeps on fighting despite all the difficulties.
Overall, 'The Boxer' is a song about the struggle, disappointments, and perseverance of a young man on his journey through life.