Hmmm,a lot of interesting views.Reading around the subject it transpires that,amongst others,Pete Seeger,Tom Paxton & Dave Van Ronk all tended to a view similar to my own in regard to this song.
Ian Pittaway it may be that you are, in your own words,"trying too hard" but it is a very intriguing assertion that makes a lot of sense & would not be out of character for Dylan.
Guest,Mark I think if your hypothesis was correct the song would not have endured for so many years in so many countries.
Guest 11:49 I remain unconvinced.It is not for me to say wether I am or am not an empathic person but I do have more direct experience of injustice than I would wish.
Just to clarify I don't think Dylan intended "The Answer" to be interpreted as "The U.S. Flag", but rather this interpretation could be logically arrived at.(Worth remembering that Dylan later showed himself quite capable of adopting Ultranationalist positions "Slow Train Coming" being merely one example)