The Song of the Shirt by Thomas Hood With fingers weary and worn, With eyelids heavy and red, A woman sat in unwomanly rags, Plying her needle and thread— Stitch! stitch! stitch! In poverty, hunger, and dirt, And still with a voice of dolorous pitch,— Would that its tone could reach the Rich!— She sang the “Song of the Shirt.” "The Song of the Shirt" from The Poetical Works of Thomas Hood by Thomas Hood Question Use the poems to answer the question. Select Passage 1 and Passage 2. How do the speakers in these two poems differ? (1 point) Responses The speaker in “Song of the Shirt” views is a poor woman, but the speaker in “A Book” is a poor man. The speaker in “Song of the Shirt” views is a poor woman, but the speaker in “A Book” is a poor man. The speaker in “Song of the Shirt” views poverty as terrible, but the speaker in “A Book” views it as something that can be escaped. The speaker in “Song of the Shirt” views poverty as terrible, but the speaker in “A Book” views it as something that can be escaped. The speaker in “Song of the Shirt” sees work as cruel, but the speaker in “A Book” sees work as good and proper. The speaker in “Song of the Shirt” sees work as cruel, but the speaker in “A Book” sees work as good and proper. The speaker in “Song of the Shirt” is poor, but the speaker in “A Book” is rich. The speaker in “Song of the Shirt” is poor, but the speaker in “A Book” is rich.

Answer 1

Based on the content of "The Song of the Shirt," the most accurate response is:

The speaker in “Song of the Shirt” views poverty as terrible, but the speaker in “A Book” views it as something that can be escaped.

This choice reflects the contrast in the perspectives of the speakers regarding poverty. The woman in "The Song of the Shirt" expresses a deep sense of suffering and despair associated with her poverty and working conditions, while the other speaker in "A Book" likely presents a more hopeful or optimistic view of poverty, suggesting the possibility of escape or relief.