(Article is below...)

The Thresher's Labour Poem Analysis

"The Thresher's Labour," written by English poet Stephen Duck in 1730, is a poem that offers a detailed portrayal of the hardships faced by agricultural laborers, specifically threshers, during the early 18th century. Duck himself was a laborer and his firsthand experience informs the poem's vivid description of the thresher's working conditions.

The poem is written in rhymed couplets and uses a straightforward, descriptive style. Duck gives the reader an intimate glimpse into the daily routine of a thresher, highlighting the long hours, backbreaking labor, and monotony associated with the job. The poem emphasizes the physical challenges faced by the laborer, including the constant bending, lifting, and swinging of the flail, which takes a toll on the body.

"The Thresher's Labour" also touches upon the social and economic aspects of the thresher's life, such as the meager wages, lack of free time, and the absence of opportunities for education and self-improvement. Through the poem, Duck critiques the social hierarchy and the injustices faced by the working class in 18th-century England.

Overall, "The Thresher's Labour" is a poignant and realistic portrayal of the life of an agricultural laborer, highlighting the hardships and social inequalities faced by the working class. The poem serves as both a testament to the resilience of the laborers and a critique of the society that perpetuates their suffering.