The song “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson conveys how someone can find their true identity by going through a process and making changes in their life. The song explains how the girl in the song wants to leave the small town she is living in. She felt like she did not fit in where she lived and was restricted in her identity. Kelly Clarkson sings, “Wanted to belong here / But something felt so wrong here” (“Kelly Clarkson – Breakaway (VIDEO)”). The girl felt lost and did not know who she was anymore. She realized that she needed to make a change in her life in order for her to get out of this stage in her life. Leaving her small town to go to a bigger city would allow her to have many more opportunities to live up to her full potential. This would allow her to find out who she wants to become and find the identity that truly fits who she is. This text is a good example of showing how identity is formed through a process. Although it does not show her leaving the town to go somewhere new, it implies that she will in the near future. The lyrics in “Breakaway” state, “And I’ll make a wish, take a chance, make a change / And breakaway” (“Kelly Clarkson – Breakaway (VIDEO)”). Through these actions this girl is wishing to take, her identity is going to evolve. She is going through the process of taking a huge step forward in her life to break away from her old life and identity. In doing so, she will progress and find her true identity.
“Kelly Clarkson – Breakaway (VIDEO).” YouTube, uploaded by Kelly Clarkson, 2 Oct. 2009, https://youtu.be/c-3vPxKdj6o.