The song “all-american bitch” by Olivia Rodrigo is a complex narrative articulating self-identity, societal expectations, and internalized emotional intensity.
One of the dominant themes in the song is the portrayal of the persona’s multi-faceted identity. The feeling of being ‘light as a feather’ yet ‘stiff as a board,’ alludes to the intricacies of human emotion, suggesting that the persona is capable of embodying contrasting traits. Furthermore, the references to feeling ‘alright with movies’, having ‘class and integrity’, or being built ‘like a mother’ might symbolize the expected roles that society has imposed on women.
Another theme that could be identified is resilience or optimism. The song communicates that the persona attempts to remain positive, despite challenging circumstances. This is expressed through the metaphorical concept of having ‘sun’ in her pocket, which represents this guiding light or benevolent force even in the midst of personal trials or societal hardship.
The song very perceptively captures the emotional tumult of bottling up feelings. While portraying a strong exterior, the persona implies an internal struggle, suggested by stating an affinity towards expressing anger without actually getting angry and the mention of screaming internally.
The consistent repetition of ‘all-American’ throughout the song seems to be scrutinizing stereotypical perceptions related to societal standards of ‘perfection’. The persona identifies herself as an ‘all-American bitch’ with ‘perfect’ lips and hips, underlining the pressures women often experience to fit into idealized beauty standards.
The continual emphasis on gratitude and specifiers like ‘sexy’, ‘kind’, and ‘pretty when she cries’ reinforce the overarching theme of embodying stoicism and conforming to societal expectations while battling personal turbulence. The persona acknowledges herself as grateful, even when she’s distressed, reinforcing the imperative to maintain a composed front.
In sum, “all-american bitch” by Olivia Rodrigo offers an emotionally charged exploration of divergent themes like identity, societal expectations, latent emotional intensity, resilience, and the struggles of women who are striving to grapple with conflicting personal and societal demands.