CLUSTER CRITICISM REVEALS:
PHYLLIS HYMAN’S LYRICAL ANGELS AND DEMONS
Darrell L. Hemsley Jr.
Dr. Kirk Fuoss, Faculty Mentor
St. Lawrence University McNair Scholars Program
The current research examines the late R&B singer Phyllis Hyman’s lyrics applying a method called cluster criticism. Cluster criticism traces the frequency of terms and their intensity. Terms identified as key terms because of their intensity are often “god” or “devil” terms, with overwhelmingly positive or negative connotations. The investigator then charts the cluster of other terms that surround a key term each time it appears in a specific text. The research focuses on lyrics of original compositions with the expectation that they will shed insight into the depression from which Hyman suffered and which ultimately led to her suicide.