A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ‘THE MAN WITH THE HOE’ AND THREE POP SONGS.

Abstract

Comparative Literature focuses on the study of literature from different cultures, nations, and genres, and explores relationships between literature and other forms of cultural expression. It also studies and compares texts from a range of cultural contexts, historical periods, or literary movements. This paper compares two art forms – a poem and three pop songs that express the sufferings of laborers of different ages. ‘The Man with the Hoe’ (1899), a poem by Edwin Markham (1852-1940), and the following pop songs: 1. ‘Take This Job and Shove It’ (1977) 2. ‘9 to 5’ (1980) 3. ‘Working for a Living’ (1982) This paper reveals the similitude in the theme of these works and reveals how they are thematically relevant to their age.