Levine was raised in a Jewish household, and his father died when he was only 5. The metaphor of the pig can play as an ode to his Jewish upbringing, as the animal's meat is not considered kosher and is abstained from. Furthermore, perhaps Levine is illustrating his father's early death, suggesting it a result of working conditions dangerous yet reserved to Detroit's working class. Are workers only but a means to an end? And under whose control are these workers only but pawns and swine?

Consider here, Philip Levine's background). The writer grew up in Detroit, Michigan to a father who owned an auto parts business and a bookseller-mother. Detroit's most recognized moniker is likely that of the Motor City as most of the local economy revolved around the automotive industry in the city's heyday. Levine himself worked at Chevrolet and Cadillac, starting as early as 14. Needless to say, he did not find these jobs the least bit fulfilling.

As the industry moved towards consolidating business and employing advancing technologies, many of Detroit's people were left in a state of poverty as the city, too, suffered damages as a result of the Riots of 1967.