Eleanor Rigby
Exploring the Depths of Loneliness
Lyrics
Ah! Look at all the lonely people
Observation of numerous isolated individuals
Ah! Look at all the lonely people
Reiteration of the observation of loneliness
Eleanor Rigby, picks up the rice in a church
Depiction of Eleanor Rigby performing a menial task after a wedding
Where a wedding has been
Indication of the event that took place in the church
Lives in a dream
Suggestion that Eleanor Rigby lives in a fantasy or illusion
Waits at the window, wearing the face
Description of Eleanor waiting at the window with a preserved persona
That she keeps in a jar by the door
Reference to a facial expression kept in a jar, possibly symbolic of emotional detachment
Who is it for?
Rhetorical question questioning the purpose of Eleanor's facade
All the lonely people,
Introduction of the theme of loneliness
Where do they all come from?
Rhetorical question pondering the origin of lonely individuals
All the lonely people,
Reiteration of the prevalence of lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Rhetorical question exploring the place where lonely individuals belong
Father McKenzie, writing the words
Introduction of Father McKenzie, engaged in writing a sermon
Of a sermon that no one will hear
Noting the futility of the sermon, as no one is expected to listen
No one comes near
Emphasis on Father McKenzie's solitude
Look at him working, darning his socks
Visual portrayal of Father McKenzie mending his socks during the night
In the night when there's nobody there
Highlighting the absence of others while he works
What does he care?
Rhetorical question emphasizing Father McKenzie's apparent indifference
All the lonely people,
Reiteration of the theme of loneliness
Where do they all come from?
Rhetorical question questioning the origin of lonely people once again
All the lonely people,
Reiteration of the question of where lonely people belong
Where do they all belong?
Exploration of the belonging of lonely individuals
Eleanor Rigby, died in the church
Announcement of Eleanor Rigby's death in the church
And was buried along with her name
Reference to her burial with no attendees
Nobody came
Emphasis on the lack of mourners at Eleanor's funeral
Father McKenzie, wiping the dirt
Depiction of Father McKenzie cleaning his hands after burying Eleanor
From his hands as he walks from the grave
Reference to his solitary departure from the grave
No one was saved
Statement suggesting no one benefited or found redemption from the funeral
All the lonely people,
Reiteration of the prevalence of lonely people
Where do they all come from?
Rhetorical question questioning the origin of lonely individuals once again
All the lonely people,
Reiteration of the question of where lonely people belong
Where do they all belong?
Final exploration of the belonging of lonely individuals
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