Sanchez 1

Adam Sanchez
British Lit/Comp
Ms. Day
17 April, 2016
Best of Both Worlds
Paul McCartney was born June 18, 1942, in Liverpool, England to Mary and James
McCartney. In everything that Paul McCartney has done in his life, he has been able to become
successful in every aspect. He captured the hearts and souls of people from all walks of life.
Paul McCartney has mirrored all aspects of his life through his literary works by connecting
them to his other art forms and to his past experiences to touch the lives of people around the
globe.
In The Beautiful by Paul McCartney, John Lennon had heard a comment made about him
on the news. Lennon, at the time a member of The Beatles, realized what the band had done to
his lifestyle. He was able to go his entire career with the Beatles up to this point, not noticing his
figure and not letting his insecurities get the best of him. As he examined himself more closely,
he tried to eradicate his chubbiness by sticking his finger down his throat and throwing up. He
felt disgusted with himself and what he has become because he is a very influential public figure
and for someone of such importance to look like that is a testament to the lack of character of
John Lennon and all of the Beatles.
It is clear to see that just as routines can be a good instrument for success, they can also
be very detrimental when not employed in the correct way . The routine for the Beatles was to
tour, make music, and eat all day and night. For John Lennon, this routine made him more selfconscious about himself due to the fact that he was eating with his friends all of the time. Paul
knew that his friend needed his help and acted on his instinct to assist him.

Sanchez 2
It is important to note that Johns image of himself has been altered by not only his
physical compulsiveness to constantly eat, but also by the fact that society has imprinted into the
minds of people all over the world that public figures should maintain their small physique, and
even back in the 60s and 70s that image was implemented into all people, young and old. With
insecurities being a major role in this story, it is clear to see that what Paul McCartney is trying
to convey in this story. With peoples image and idea of perfection altered by different things
in society, it is important to remember how important inner beauty and self respect should be in a
persons life. This story and message is universal in that it can be used in all parts of life and can
be interpreted virtually the same as the years go on and as literature, music, art, and people
forever change.
In Yellow Submarine by Paul McCartney, Blue Meanies attack Pepperland, a
cheerful, music-loving, under-water city. With Pepperlanders immobilized and music banned
from the city, Pepperlands Lord Mayor sends Old Fred out for help. He travels only to find Paul,
John, George, and Ringo. They agree to travel back to Pepperland with Old Fred and on their
journey they pass Sea of Time, Sea of Nothing, Foothills of Headlands, etc. and encounter
obstacles along the way. With the help of the Beatles and Old Fred, they are able to save
Pepperland from the Blue Meanies and restore peace and harmony in the city.
As the story progresses, it is clear that the music is an important part of the story as the
plot unfolds. It is hard to avoid music in Pepperland, and throughout the story songs are sung
while on the journey and to resolve every difficult situation that the group encounters. For the
group, music is their main source of power to defeat the Blue Meanies and to save Pepperland.
Much like people in society now, music is a getaway from the things that are not so pleasant in
life. In some respects, music is a gateway to a persons own private paradise. Paul McCartney

Sanchez 3
also introduces the audience to the heroes of the story, Ringo, John, George, and himself, also his
lifelong buddies in real life. With Paul introducing these men as characters in the story, It is clear
to see that Pauls music is his friends. Paul always feels happy and content with his buddies
making music because that is his paradise. Music and friends go hand-in-hand for Paul as they
both convey feelings of peace and serenity. The time that is spent with friends, for a lot of people
are sometimes the happiest times in life, living by the phrase you only live once. With music
being an integral part for what the book is based on, the message is the same but yet entirely
different. In some respects, the message is that music is universal sign for good. More
importantly though, the message is that through all parts of life and through past, present, and
future experiences, it is imperative to find paradise in anything and everything. Through all the
good and bad things, peace and serenity are the most important parts to live long and prosper.
This can connect to the life of Paul McCartney because Paul and the rest of the Beatles
had a connection from the time they met all the way up until now, even with John tragically
taken from this earth. Both Paul McCartney and John Lennon lost their mothers at a very young
age and when the first met as teenagers, Paul knew that they would have a bond between that
could never be broken. He knew that both of their love for music is what would keep the
friendship strong between themselves and be able to include others into the special bond (Ringo
and George). Paul McCartney was able to incorporate this into his into his literary work by
writing about the things most dear to his heart, and that is his friends. In some respects Paul
McCartney may have never been as successful as he was earlier in his career up until now if it
weren't for his friends. In many ways, Pauls success is a direct byproduct of his relationship he
had with George, John, and Ringo because although Paul was successful as a solo artist and
writer, none of it amounted to the type of success he had with The Beatles.

Sanchez 4
Paul McCartney was able to touch people across the globe with his literary work through
his experiences with his friends. It is clear that Paul cherishes all of the relationships he created
because of the Beatles, but none more important than the four best friends that made the Beatles
one of the most influential pop culture icons not only at that time, but even today. He was able to
portray his love for his friends in his writing in such a positive way, it can be looked back on as
something of value to their friendship and also a testament to their accomplishments on and off
the stage as the Beatles and as solo artists. Paul McCartneys legacy lives on mostly through his
music, but also through his writing as it was another medium for conveying emotion because just
like his music, he was able to convey a message deeper than the words on the page, and reach a
much broader spectrum of people to positively impact their lives.

Works Cited
"Paul McCartney." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://
www.biography.com/people/paul-mccartney-9390850#synopsis>.

Sanchez 5
McCartney, Paul. The Beautiful. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2016. <https://www.quotev.com/
stories/Paul+Mccartney>.
McCartney, Paul. Yellow Submarine. N.p.: Candlewick Press, 2004. Print