Marxism Theory Analysis

MARXISM

Bread and Roses (Poem)

By James Oppenheim

As we come marching, marching in the beauty of the day,

A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts gray,

Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses,

For the people hear us singing: "Bread and roses! Bread and roses!"

As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men,

For they are women's children, and we mother them again.

Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes;

Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us roses!

As we come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead

Go crying through our singing their ancient cry for bread.

Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew.

Yes, it is bread we fight for -- but we fight for roses, too!

As we come marching, marching, we bring the greater days.

The rising of the women means the rising of the race.

No more the drudge and idler -- ten that toil where one reposes,

But a sharing of life's glories: Bread and roses! Bread and roses!

Analysis:

In the poem, I can say that it is under the Marxist theory. For the poem is about the test and reality of life. In the poem, it tackles about how a strike made an impact to the workers who are doing it. As you read the poem and analyze it, I can say that a strike can really make the lives of the workers miserable for they were being furnished. Also, the poem shows a symbol of laborers seeking for change due to the oppression of their employers and the rallying cry for the labor movement.