今天给大家分享的是一篇由最早给bob dylan提名nobel 做出巨大努力的一群人，
他们是一群狂热的bob dylan粉丝，他们不顾一切的研究bob dylan的歌词和音乐，
为bob dylan所创作的艺术而到处奔走欢呼，他们被外界称为疯狂的‘迪伦学家’。
这群疯狂的崇拜者不仅认为bob dylan的音乐是伟大的，同时也相信bob dylan的歌词是超越了
歌词本身的存在，是可以通历史上任何伟大的诺贝尔文学奖获得者的文学作品相媲美的文学艺术。
正是因为这些人的不懈努力，才让诺贝尔奖委员会认识到了bob dylan作品的文学艺术的伟大。

Bob Dylan was first officially nominated for the 1997 Nobel Prize 
in Literature, and again for the 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 ones.

鲍勃迪伦最先是在1997年被提名诺贝文学奖，接下来在1998-2002年都连续被提名。

There are usually many worthy candidates who are passed over year after year,
and one should be prepared for this to happen to Mr. Dylan also. It will
therefore be neccessary to continue the campaign until he is granted the
recognition he so greatly deserves.

下面是由来自Virginia Military Institute 的英文文学和艺术学院的
Gordon Ball教师在1999年给nobel委员会写的关于提名bob dylan诺贝尔文学奖的信件。

January 23, 1999

Dear Nobel Committee:

On behalf of the Campaign Committee of Mr. Gunnar Lunde and 
Mr. Reidar Indrebo (Angedalsvn. 37, 6800 Forde, Norway), I wish 
to nominate once more Mr. Bob Dylan of the United States for the 
next Nobel Prize in Literature.  Here are a few reasons why: 

 1. There is considerable precedence for him to receive the 
prize.  In 1997 it was given to another distiguished creator, 
whose drama,  like Dylan's lyrics and music,  depends on performance
for full realization.  Over half a dozen dramatists have received
the Nobel Prize for Literature.
  His  blend  of  poetry  and  social  consciousness  with  music  is
entirely  appropriate  for  Nobel  recognition.   His  songs from the
early  1960s  to  the  present  have been passionately concerned with
civil rights,  world peace,  the preservation of the environment, and
other  crucial  global  causes.  He has been acclaimed by presidents, 
poets,   professors,  and  -- in almost countless numbers -- "common"
people.  That  his  pertinent and profound subject matter and wording
are matched by his musical prowess should be considered
appropriate,  not  strange,  for  a  Nobel  Prize  in  Literature. Of
William Butler Yeats,  Nobel Committee Chairman  Per  Hallström  said
in awarding him  the 1923 Prize,  "There is a greater element of song
than  is  usual in Modern English poetry."  Yeats himself  proclaimed 
of an  earlier recipient,  Rabindranath Tagore,  that "He is as great
in  music  as  in  poetry."  And  he  prophesied of  Tagore's verses,
"...travellers  will  hum them on the highway  and  men  rowing  upon
rivers.  Lovers...  [will  be]  murmuring  them."  In  fact,  Dylan's
memorable  lyrics  are given  such forms  of appreciation  the  world
over.   
 2.  For nearly four decades his work has had,  and  con -
tinues to have,  a major and  positive impact on the world:  
it has  changed it for the better.  His  words  and   music   have 
  helped   restore  the  vital,  time -
honored  link  between  poetry  and  music,  and  have  so  permeated
the  world  as  to  alter  its  history.   When  Dylan's  work  first
appeared  in  the  U.S.  alone,  it  validated  the  imagination  and 
independence  of  thought  in  what had been an era of conformity and
denial:  it  empowered  a vast generational change.  That his  lyrics
are of  considerable  literary  value  is suggested  not only  by the
recent  conference  at  Stanford  but by their  inclusion in numerous
reference and text books. 
   3.  Even in the last year,  Mr. Dylan has won  increasing
distinction and honors.  He has released a strong new album (Time 
Out Of Mind),  rich  with inspired,  powerful lyrics,  some of  which
chart  the  changes  that come with  aging and  the passage  of time:
they  are  evocative,  perceptive,  revealing.  He has  performed for
the  Pope,  who  quoted  at  some length  from  his  lyrics.  He  has
received one of  American's highest cultural honors  from our Kennedy
Center,  and  his oeuvre  was the subject  last  year  of an academic
conference  at  one of  our  most  prestigious  centers  of learning,
Stanford University.

    I continue  to  hear  the  inspiring  words,  unique  voice,  and
extraordinary  music  of  Bob Dylan emanate from cadets' rooms in the
barracks at the military school where I teach.

    I remain grateful  for your  consideration of Mr. Dylan  for  the
next Nobel Prize in Literature.

                              Sincerely
                              
                              
                              Gordon Ball
                              Professor of English and Fine Arts
   
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