"Rain on the Scarecrow"-John Mellencamp

-What's the song about? Summarize.
-What are some conflicts this song might address?
-Make a claim about Mellencamp's use of imagery or symbolism.
-Make a claim about Mellencamp's word choice. Think about connotation.
-If this represents Mellencamp's opinion, who does he seem to favor? Who does he present sympathetically? What side of the conflict does he seem to be on? Support your answers with examples from the text.

This song is about a man whose family's farm was lost because of unpaid loans.
This song is addressing the many families who lost their farms and how they then interact with people in power.
Mellencamp's use of imagery and symbolism add to the overall effect and give it a more morbid tone. He talks about the "rain on the scarecrow, blood on the plow," giving it a darker feel. He also says "Son, I'm just sorry they're just memories for you now." This leads the listener to believe that the son will not carry on the legacy.
Mellencamp's word choice adds a deep, meaningful feeling to the song. He talks about his background and his future, and many of the connotations reflect the nostalgia and longing he feels.
He seems to favor the poorer people and those who cannot help themselves; he talks about how he "grew up like my daddy did, My grandpa cleared this land; when I was five I walked the fence while Grandpa held my hand;" This leads the listener to believe that this is all the narrator knew.