A Short Response To The Literary Devices Of Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made For Walking

We pick up the scene after diplomacy has broken down. The subject, whose name we never learn, has kept saying he has something for her, but at this stage the narrator has walked away from the table and boots are being deployed.

It’s a classic narrative effect. We almost expect the lights to go out, to hear a kick, a dull thud and a scream and the scene illumated with a corpse and some missing pearls.

I think These Boots Are Made For Walking is made all the more sinister because Nancy Sinatra isn’t specific about when they’re going to walk all over you. So the man is left wondering how long he’s got.

And then, before the horn, break she says: “Are you ready boots? Start walking.”

Not only so you’ve got this threat, and also a false sense of security and she sends the boots in straight away.

And she denies all responsibility, like it’s not her plan. Even though she’s there with a brand new box of matches, chooses to deploy the boots.

It’s a deke. It’s a fakeout. It’s a flanking pincer movement a la botte, and before you can say “galoshes” that day is here, my friend.

That day is here.