Perspectives

When analysing literary texts like “The Song of the Spectators” by Mary Payne, many times they may be easier to understand if you put them into context, connecting them to current issues, literary period or similar works.

Current issues

The poem was published in 1964 by a relatively unknown author, Mary Payne, in a leftist magazine from the UK. The fact that the poem was published in the Tribune goes hand in hand with the poet’s message which is critical of authorities and bystander society.

We encourage you to reflect to what extent the poem is still relevant for the modern society we live in. On the one hand, thanks to the media and various activist groups and NGOs, we can say that at least part of the society is more involved and more aware of the need to keep authorities in check so that injustice and atrocities are avoided. On the other hand, the fact of the matter is that the majority of society does not take any action (such as protests) with regards to many injustices that still happen in the worl...