Topic > Symbolism in "The Shirt"

Most people take the clothes they wear for granted, so they don't bother to know the working conditions under which the clothes are produced. In the poem “Shirt” Robert Pinsky traces all the phases of shirt production. The shirt symbolizes the conditions of workers in sweat factories. Robert translates the effects of historical events into present-day situations. He begins the poem by describing the sweatshops in Malaysia and Korea where the workers work, talking politics and gossiping over tea. The poem pays homage to the Malaysian and Korean workers at the Triangle Shirts factory. It talks about the Scottish workers who invented the tartan clans and explains how the workers were oppressed by the factory owners. The poem describes the relationships that exist between workers and consumers of various products in the contemporary world. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The language used in the poem is descriptive and helps bring out the message that the t-shirt is not an ordinary thing that should be taken for granted by the consumer. The poet uses the language used in the factory when he quotes “The wringer, the mangle. The needle, the connection” (8). The use of factory terminology plays a crucial role in bringing out the setting and atmosphere of the poem. This language plays a crucial role in capturing the reader's attention. More importantly, this terminology reminds the reader what it takes to have a fully made shirt. The "Code" mentioned in the last line of stanza three alludes to the laws regulating working conditions in factories. The author alludes to the fire that occurred in the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in Manhattan in 1911. Over a hundred immigrant workers lost their lives as a result of the fire. He writes that “one hundred and forty-six died in the flames” (11). Workers were exposed to dangerous conditions such as long working hours and low wages. The code meant that worker safety regulations were disregarded, which led to the infamous fire. The infamous fire is an image that plays a crucial role in bringing out the issue of exploitation and suffering of sweat factory workers. Furthermore, the inclusion of fire in the poem evokes empathy in the reader because it shows that the workers in the sweat factories are tormented. Robert Pinsky describes the death of the martyrs of the triangular shirt factory. For example, he writes that “Around his neck and kissed him. Then he held it in space and let it fall. Almost immediately" (21-22). Workers lost their lives because there were no fire escapes and fire hydrants. The death of workers is similar to that of martyrs because they suffer the consequences of the poor conditions in the sweat factories. This vision is fundamental to highlight the plight of workers in sweat factories. Additionally, it mentions George Herbert, a famous 17th-century poet and Irma's ancestor. Irma is the woman from South Carolina who is given the responsibility of inspecting the shirt. He manages to retrace the history of the shirt factory by quoting a prominent figure such as Herbert. Historical reference is essential to show the losses attributed to sweat factories. The t-shirt is a symbol of the simple things that communicate a lot about the lives of ordinary people. The poem is very useful because it makes the reader think about the shirt he is wearing. The reader wonders if the shirt is produced through the exploitation of workers in sweatshops. The detailed descriptions used in the poem to show the relationships between the shirts and the workers who make them. For example, Pinsky shows.