Question

They used to tell me I was building a dream, and so I followed the mob, When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear, I was always there right on the job. They used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead, Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread? Once I built a railroad, I made it run, made it race against time. Once I built a railroad; now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime? Once I built a tower, up to the sun, brick, and rivet, and lime; Once I built a tower, now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime? —“Brother Can You Spare a Dime?” by Yip Harburg Use the text to answer the question. From whose point of view is this song written? a. a gangster during Prohibition b. a wealthy tycoon during the Roaring Twenties c. an unemployed person during the Great Depression d. a migrant during the Dust Bowl

Answer 1

c. an unemployed person during the Great Depression

The narrator describes having worked building railroads and towers, contributing to the nation's prosperity, but now being out of work and standing in line for bread—matching the situation of unemployed workers during the Great Depression.