The poem focuses on the plight of the laborer, symbolized by the man with the hoe, and uses him as a representation of the hardships faced by the working class.
While the poem doesn't have a specific addressee, it speaks to the reader directly, prompting reflection on the conditions of labor and the societal injustices faced by those who toil for a living.
It can be argued that the poem addresses:
* The wealthy and powerful: The speaker, through the poem, appeals to the conscience of those who benefit from the laborer's work, urging them to acknowledge the suffering and the inherent humanity of the man with the hoe.
* The reader as a member of society: The poem invites the reader to contemplate their own role in the social order and the responsibility they bear towards those who are marginalized and exploited.
The poem's powerful imagery and emotive language aim to evoke empathy and a sense of social responsibility in the reader, regardless of their specific identity.