Them and[uz]- Tony Harrison

The poem 'Them and [uz]'by Tony Harrison proposes some form of utopian vision as this seems to be a solution to the problems that are encountered in the work place, this is because the upper class steal work from the middle class and the lower class. The upper class then say that the middle and lower classes work is now there's. The upper class have a belief that everyone should speak politely, elegantly and properly. This shows the superstructure due to the class system. Therefore if the lower and middle class do not speak like this the upper class will look down on them. This then infers how alienation is used in the classes and they can not overcome it as they are looked down on. The upper class also believe that nobody should have an accent, this is because they believe it is not speaking properly or elegantly. An example of this from the poem is 'Litterchewer.' This shows that the boy in this poem can not say literature, this is because of his accent. This comes across very patronising as the teacher has to repeat the word and he makes a joke about it. He also suggests that if everyone spoke with proper English language then it would reflect on the utopian vision.




The work that is served as propaganda is by using manipulatation. An example of this is ' poetrys, the speech of kings.' This persuades people to speak properly as it is a bourgeoisie that is speaking correct English language. But the also as hierarchy is the patriarchal society. This may also give them hope as they may feel as if they do speak properly then they may then become highly educated. Becoming highly educated would then mean that they would get a better chance in life and would be able to get a good job. This also links to the superstructure as they need to be educated so that they can get a good job.


This piece of literature reflects the class of his own, this is because he is in the middle class. An example where this happens is 'spoke the language I spoke at home.' This is reflecting his own class as this is how he spoke when he was ta home and he has not changed the way that he speaks.  Even when he is at school he does not change the way he speaks, he still doesn't change they way he speaks when some others influence him to. This poem allows us to understand why it reflects his class other than everyone else's. But we also know that the higher class take the lower and middle classes work away from them, they then also make the work in the way that they speak as they are seen to speak perfectly. A famous example of this is that a famous writer had a stutter, this then showed everyone that literature was not made to be spoken perfectly as he still made literature even though he had a stutter.


The boy in this poem overcomes oppression. He does this from his teacher. An example that backs this up is ' used my name and own words.' This shows that he has overcome the cruel behaviour towards him. Despite the negativity that was put on him he still managed to escape the trap that he was in and still became successful.  This had a good impact on overcoming oppression as it shows that he managed to get work and then proved to the higher class what literature should really be like. Tony Harrison also overcame oppression as he is a famous writer but he is still not in higher class and he is trapped in middle class.