SA2 Can't Find My Way Home

In “Can’t Find My Way Home”, Blind Faith uses detrimental symbolism, determined motif, and pleading tone in order to ask for help with a drug addiction.

            Through detrimental symbolism, Blind Faith explains their addiction to drugs. All the members of the band; Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker, and Ric Grech, were addicted to drugs back in the late sixties and early seventies. In “Can’t Find My Way Home”, the narrator cries for help as he knows the harmful effects of drugs. The “throne” represents the high that addicts strive for. “Home” represents sobriety and the overall good life that one should lead. So when the narrator explains “I can’t find my way home”, he is saying that he is not able to stop his addiction.

            Determined motif also shows Blind Faith’s drug addiction. The narrator desires to stop his addiction but it is hard for him. But he is determined to get “home” and back into sobriety. He cries repeatedly, “But I can’t find my way home” but knows that “Someone holds the key”, making him realize that he is not helpless. This gives a sense of desperation, making the audience feel sympathetic towards him. The fact that he knows that he “must change” shows that he has enthusiasm and wants it.

            Help with drug addiction is expressed through pleading tone in “Can’t Find My Way Home”. When the narrator explains, “You are the reason I’ve been waiting so long”, he is referring to those that turn their heads and walk in the other direction. When asks for help, those that are sober put him down. All he wants is to become like them but his disease prevents him from it. They say, “Come down on your own and leave your body alone”, giving him the advice he needs but not helping him with it. He says, “Somebody must change”, meaning that either he will become sober or they will help him.

            In “Can’t Find My Way Home”, Blind Faith uses detrimental symbolism, determined motif, and pleading tone in order to reach sobriety and ultimately live life to its fullest. The narrator realizes as he begs for help that there is hope for him and one day he will change, whether he gets help or not. “Somebody holds the key” to his problems and this could be anyone, including himself. He says, “I ain’t done nothing wrong”, and does not deserve the treatment he is receiving. He has found hope and knows that he can “find” his “way home”.