This is about the perceived shift of power from men to women both in the office and in the world at large. This is why there is the reference to Margaret Thatcher, one of the first elected female leaders of a major first world economy. The man in this song seems to be finding himself trapped in a position that women have traditionally been put in, where his skills are underutilized; "She gave me some dictation, but my strength is in administration," and he's viewed as a sexual object; "A chance of overtime. Say my place at nine?" While the tone through the first part of the song sounds as if the man is complicit in being subjugated, the last few stanzas reveal feelings of defeat; "My output is in decline...My banner I laid down with a sigh." He doesn't believe he can compete with a woman; "Now I doubt if I’ll ever catch her."
This is a negative and reactionary view of the empowerment of women. It presents the idea that if women are empowered, they will become oppressive and emasculating to men. The implication is that the empowerment of women should stop because it makes life difficult and complicated for men.
Simply stated, it’s a mantra for the weak-minded and insecure male.
Both right and wrong, juliankeynes. This is a great explanation of the song, but your conclusion is both naive and reactionary. The song discusses the effect that female empowerment has on a male office worker, with respect to two individuals. That does not mean that it supports inequality, merely that it highlights some possible effects of that shift in power.
Both right and wrong, juliankeynes. This is a great explanation of the song, but your conclusion is both naive and reactionary. The song discusses the effect that female empowerment has on a male office worker, with respect to two individuals. That does not mean that it supports inequality, merely that it highlights some possible effects of that shift in power.
No published work received by the public remains within the context of the individuals referenced by the work. Limiting the interpretation of the work to the impact on it's characters rather then it's audience disregards the subtext of the work and is, well...naive.
No published work received by the public remains within the context of the individuals referenced by the work. Limiting the interpretation of the work to the impact on it's characters rather then it's audience disregards the subtext of the work and is, well...naive.
This is about the perceived shift of power from men to women both in the office and in the world at large. This is why there is the reference to Margaret Thatcher, one of the first elected female leaders of a major first world economy. The man in this song seems to be finding himself trapped in a position that women have traditionally been put in, where his skills are underutilized; "She gave me some dictation, but my strength is in administration," and he's viewed as a sexual object; "A chance of overtime. Say my place at nine?" While the tone through the first part of the song sounds as if the man is complicit in being subjugated, the last few stanzas reveal feelings of defeat; "My output is in decline...My banner I laid down with a sigh." He doesn't believe he can compete with a woman; "Now I doubt if I’ll ever catch her." This is a negative and reactionary view of the empowerment of women. It presents the idea that if women are empowered, they will become oppressive and emasculating to men. The implication is that the empowerment of women should stop because it makes life difficult and complicated for men. Simply stated, it’s a mantra for the weak-minded and insecure male.
Both right and wrong, juliankeynes. This is a great explanation of the song, but your conclusion is both naive and reactionary. The song discusses the effect that female empowerment has on a male office worker, with respect to two individuals. That does not mean that it supports inequality, merely that it highlights some possible effects of that shift in power.
Both right and wrong, juliankeynes. This is a great explanation of the song, but your conclusion is both naive and reactionary. The song discusses the effect that female empowerment has on a male office worker, with respect to two individuals. That does not mean that it supports inequality, merely that it highlights some possible effects of that shift in power.
No published work received by the public remains within the context of the individuals referenced by the work. Limiting the interpretation of the work to the impact on it's characters rather then it's audience disregards the subtext of the work and is, well...naive.
No published work received by the public remains within the context of the individuals referenced by the work. Limiting the interpretation of the work to the impact on it's characters rather then it's audience disregards the subtext of the work and is, well...naive.