Some People By Rita Ann Higgins

Some People By Rita Ann Higgins - Summary

The introductory idea of the poem

Some People has been composed by Rita Ann Higgins. The poet has tried to draw an authentic picture of human society which is divided into warring groups based on class, status, wealth rich, and politically influenced people always use the poor. It has been proved with an example of a wretched poor woman who is an untouchable mother in the following ways: -

Pathetic Condition 

The poet says that the life of the is pathetic. They have to suffer utter humiliation from rich and powerful people. 

The poor woman has been facing the situation helplessly. It is the majority of mankind who have to face such problems.

Sexual object 

The poet expresses the pain of the poor woman when the rich people call her a sexual object in presence of her children. They cannot help her to buy books for her children. Even she has to go to the community welfare office to get an unemployment allowance.

Physical, as well as mental harassment 

The poor, cannot get medical aid. They have to wait for months to get medicines for infection or toothache. Such people have to get that infected tooth taken out. In this way, they are harassed physically as well as mentally. The poet says that the poor woman has to stand in a long queue to register her name for a job or charity from church.

Strange excuses 

The children of such people have to make strange excuses to lenders. They would tell the milkman that their mother had a holiday or was in the hospital. Every lender has a new excuse for the mother's absence.

Conclusion

The poet has presented a grim picture of the poor, especially women in the society; who is heated, ill-treated, and abused. Even their children have to tell lies or make funny excuses to lenders. The poem raises a voice to call for justice and reform.