Is Bob Dylan’s Nobel Prize Silence “Impolite” And “Arrogant” Or Just Another Dylan Protest?

Bob Dylan has been called “arrogant” and “impolite” by a Nobel academy member this week for Dylan’s failure to speak publicly about winning the 2016 Nobel Prize for literature. According to MSN, Nobel academy member and Swedish writer, Per Wasterburg, was critical of Dylan, a beloved American singer and songwriter, for failing to return any phone calls to the Swedish Academy. Per Wasterburg also criticized Dylan for not acknowledging or expressing gratitude for the honor.

While it may be true Bob Dylan has not returned phone calls to the Swedish Academy since the winning of the Nobel Prize more than a week ago, Dylan did briefly acknowledge the award on his Facebook page on the day of the announcement. The post, presumably by an assistant rather than Dylan himself, was just a simple acknowledgment of the Nobel Prize, however, and had no emotional response from the enigmatic singer.

https://www.facebook.com/bobdylan/posts/10157520985425696

While some may agree that Bob is being impolite by not making a big deal of the award, some Dylan fans wonder if his lack of response is something more meaningful like a silent protest. To better understand that possibility, one has to take a look at the origins of the Nobel Prize and the history of Bob Dylan.

The Nobel Prize is named after Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, inventor, and engineer. Nobel’s most notable career achievement was inventing dynamite along with producing armaments. After a newspaper accidentally printed Alfred Nobel’s obituary in lieu of his brother’s, its condemnation of him for being a contributor to mass killing caused Alfred to reconsider what he wanted his legacy to be. As a result, Nobel re-drafted his will to set aside the bulk of his estate in a trust that would award others for their achievements in science, physiology, chemistry, literature, and the promotion of peace.

Bob Dylan is an American singer and songwriter who hit the music scene more than five decades ago. Dylan became one of the more prominent voices protesting segregation and the Vietnam War, and his lyrics have become somewhat of an anthem for the anti-war movement. With Dylan lyrics that are heavily critical of those he perceives to be involved in helping promote war, one has to wonder if Bob’s lack of gratitude or not even stating if he is accepting the Nobel Prize is Dylan’s way of protesting the founding father, Alfred Nobel’s contributions to the war machine.

To lend weight to this argument, one needs to look no further than Bob Dylan’s song “Masters of War,” in which Dylan chastises those who help create and build weapons.

“Come you masters of war
You that build the big guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks”

While fans of Dylan have simply dismissed Bob’s lack of Nobel Prize enthusiasm as Dylan just being Dylan and caring more about artistic integrity than awards, it is important to acknowledge that Bob has been present and accepted other awards in the past. Dylan gladly accepted the MusicCares Person of the Year Award in 2015, and in 2012, Bob stood stoically as President Barack Obama placed the Presidential Medal of Freedom around his neck. On top of that, Bob Dylan is a Grammy award winner and Rock N Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

According to the Nobel Prize website, the ceremony and banquet are scheduled for December 10. According to Bob Dylan’s website, he only has tour dates scheduled until the end of November. Whether it’s possible Bob was just too wrapped up in performing at Desert Trip to properly give thanks regarding the Nobel Prize or if he really is just sticking it to the man remains to be seen. We’ll know the answer when December rolls around if Bob Dylan shows up on stage to accept the award.

[Featured Image by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for VH1.]