Lennon is making an argument, an emotional argument like a poet. His language is simple and direct.

It is hard to see this same directness in Romantic poetry, because the language of the 19th century is so different from our own. But even with a 21st century ear, it is possible to see this directness and simplicity in Keats, such as when Keats writes: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty, / that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know." John Lennon simply states and asserts that in the perfect world there will be: "Nothing to kill or die for, No religion too."

Because Lennon's imaginings are stated in such a simple way, it is easy to ignore how profound some of his statements are, and how radical. Imagine a world without Christianity, Judaism, Islam -- or even America or Iran. No religion and no nations, none...
[ View Full Essay]