ISC PROJECT: 2025–26 – CLASS 12

ENGLISH LITERATURE

Project Title:

Silence and Resilience in Shane Koyczan’s “Beethoven” with reference to the man
behind the pervasive silence

Name: [Your Name]

Class: [Your Class]

House No.: [Your House Number]

Subject: English

Word Count: 1500+

Index
1. Thesis Statement

2. Introduction

3. Analysis of Themes

4. Literary Devices

5. The Role of Music

6. Character Analysis of Beethoven

7. Personal Reflection

8. Conclusion

9. Bibliography

10. Acknowledgement
Thesis Statement
This project aims to explore how Ludwig van Beethoven’s life, as portrayed in Shane
Koyczan’s spoken word poem “Beethoven,” reflects the triumph of resilience over
silence. It argues that Beethoven’s response to adversity—particularly his deafness
—transformed his suffering into a creative force, illustrating that personal
limitations can become the foundation of lasting genius.

Introduction
Ludwig van Beethoven stands as one of the most iconic and influential figures in the
history of music. What sets him apart from other composers is not just his mastery
of musical form but his unwavering spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity —
most notably, his progressive hearing loss. In the spoken word poem “Beethoven”
by Shane Koyczan, Beethoven’s life is not romanticized, but rather painted as a
fierce battle against silence. The poem captures the struggle, the pain, and
ultimately, the triumph of a man who continued to create beauty while locked in a
world of silence.

Beethoven's journey — from a child prodigy to a man tormented by personal

demons and isolation — is depicted as one of relentless resilience. Instead of
surrendering to silence, he fought back through music. As the poem states: “He
made music like it still mattered that he could hear it.” This single line encapsulates
Beethoven’s strength and the core of the poem.

The focus of this project is not on Shane Koyczan as a poet, but on how he revives
Beethoven’s legacy as a symbol of determination, resistance, and creation. By
analyzing the poem's themes, structure, and portrayal of Beethoven, this project
explores how silence became not a limitation but a force that Beethoven ultimately
conquered — turning suffering into symphony.

Analysis of Themes
Two central themes that emerge from the poem are silence and resilience — both of
which are explored through the lens of Beethoven's life.

Silence in Beethoven’s life was literal and symbolic. As his deafness worsened, it
threatened to steal not only his hearing but his identity as a musician. The poem
directly addresses this internal conflict: “Beethoven… wrote music for the ghosts
that followed him.” Here, silence becomes more than a sensory loss — it becomes a
haunting presence. Yet, rather than surrendering to it, Beethoven transformed that
silence into composition.

Resilience is what defines Beethoven’s journey. The poem reflects on his refusal to
accept defeat: “He composed symphonies in his head, without ever hearing a single
note.” This is the heart of the poem’s message — that genius is not limited by
physical ability, but empowered by sheer will. Despite losing his hearing, Beethoven
continued to compose some of his greatest works, including the Ninth Symphony.
Koyczan brings this to life by reminding the reader: “He taught us that silence is
something you can own.”

These themes invite readers to examine adversity not as an end, but as a crucible in
which creativity is tested and proven. Beethoven’s triumph lies not in overcoming
his deafness, but in refusing to let it define him.

Literary Devices
Koyczan uses a range of poetic devices to portray Beethoven not merely as a
composer, but as a legend who transformed silence into strength.

One prominent device is **imagery**. The poet paints vivid mental pictures: “He
wrote sonatas on napkins… symphonies on cigarette cartons,” emphasizing
Beethoven’s relentless need to create, regardless of circumstances. These visuals
convey the extent of Beethoven's isolation, creativity, and resilience.

**Metaphor** is another powerful device. The line “Beethoven was a freak” shocks
the reader, but it is quickly reframed to mean extraordinary. It suggests that
Beethoven’s defiance of expectations set him apart from his peers. His uniqueness
became his power.

**Anaphora**, the repetition of a phrase, is used to emphasize resistance and

perseverance. For instance, “He kept going. He kept composing. He kept living.” The
rhythm reinforces the determination with which Beethoven approached life and art.

The poem also uses **contrast**. The silence of deafness is contrasted with the
richness of his music. “He made music like it still mattered that he could hear it.”
This line powerfully contrasts his inner silence with the external beauty he
produced.
Finally, **allusion** appears when Koyczan references Beethoven's final years — a
nod to his real-life struggle with deafness and despair. These devices work together
to elevate Beethoven not only as a historic figure, but as an enduring symbol of
courage.

The Role of Music

In the poem, music is not just a profession for Beethoven — it is portrayed as both
his salvation and rebellion. While silence tried to rob him of his identity, music
allowed him to fight back.

Koyczan emphasizes this by writing: “He turned the absence of sound into the
presence of something louder than silence.” Music becomes Beethoven’s voice when
he can no longer hear or speak clearly. It’s the only way he can still communicate
with the world — and more importantly, with himself.

Music, in this context, is resistance. It defies not only physical limitation but
emotional despair. Beethoven’s music wasn’t composed despite his deafness — it
was composed through it. His later works, particularly the Ninth Symphony, stand
as testaments to this resilience. The poem treats these compositions not just as
music but as declarations: “I am still here.”

Thus, in Koyczan’s portrayal, music is not an escape from adversity, but an active
weapon against it — a means of expressing pain, rage, hope, and beauty, when all
other forms of communication had failed Beethoven.

Character Analysis of Beethoven

The poem presents Beethoven as more than a composer — he is shown as a fighter,
a visionary, and a symbol of raw perseverance.

From an early age, Beethoven is described as having endured great suffering. The
poem mentions how he “was beaten for every wrong note,” highlighting the
brutality of his childhood. Yet he did not crumble — instead, he channeled that pain
into art.

As an adult, he is characterized by his defiance. “He composed symphonies in his

head” speaks volumes of a man who would not be limited by his condition. His
strength is not merely emotional; it is creative. Even when silence surrounded him,
he still found a way to be heard.

Beethoven is also portrayed as deeply human — flawed, hurting, and often alone.
But in that solitude, Koyczan finds heroism. The poem does not present him as
perfect, but as perfectly resilient.