Question

in 1836, the lowell mill workers went on strike, refusing to work unless the mill owners agreed to their requests. as they marched out of the factories, the young women sang the song below. read the song lyrics. then answer the question below.
oh! isnt it a pity, such a pretty girl as i—
should be sent to the factory to pine away and die?
oh! i cannot be a slave,
i will not be a slave,
for im so fond of liberty
that i cannot be a slave.
pine away: become thin and weak

which of the following statements best reflects the message of the song?
the mill workers do not want to be treated like enslaved people.
the mill workers will not work until the enslaved people of the south are freed.
the mill workers are grateful that they have enough food to eat.
the mill workers are upset that they have less liberty than enslaved people.

Explanation:

The song lyrics repeatedly state the workers refuse to be "a slave" and value liberty, framing their factory conditions as oppressive like enslavement. The other options are incorrect: the song does not reference enslaved people in the South, express gratitude for food, or claim they have less liberty than enslaved people.

Answer:

The mill workers do not want to be treated like enslaved people.