☝️ Key Points
- The song is about women asserting themselves in a male-dominated world and fighting for their rights.
- The lyrics use metaphorical expressions to convey the message.
- There is a demand for equality and respect.
- It addresses the injustice in relationships and marriages.
- The singer criticizes the male-dominated society and calls for the inclusion of women's perspectives.
Interpretation
The song lyrics "Make Them Apologize" by
Ani DiFranco are about how women assert themselves and fight for their rights in a male-dominated world. The lyrics use metaphorical expressions to convey this message.
In the first paragraph, the singer describes how she uses her guitar as a symbol of her strength and independence. She plays with intensity and refuses to be limited by male expectations. She says, "No I'm not on the rag, but I'm not on the run. I am matching the big boys one for one." This expresses that she is not influenced by her femininity or the expectations of others and can hold her own on equal footing with men.
In the second paragraph, a woman is described who has freed herself from a violent man and is seeking her own identity and freedom. The singer says she was "under command of the wrong man" and now wants to lead a self-determined life. This addresses the injustice in relationships and marriages and demands equality and respect.
The third paragraph is about the male-dominated society in general. The singer criticizes that men often take on leadership roles and make decisions about things they have no understanding of. She calls for the perspective of women to also be considered and respected. She sings, "But there's so much they don't understand. What about the other sex, what about the other"