Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Cry of the Children" is a powerful poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning that was published in 1843. The poem speaks out against child labor and advocates for the rights of children. It is a long, dramatic monologue that takes the form of a series of questions and answers between the speaker and the oppressed children.

One of the key poetic elements of the poem is the use of vivid imagery. Barrett Browning paints a harrowing picture of the children's working conditions, describing their "pale and sunken faces" and "dull eyes of death." She also uses vivid metaphors, such as the children being compared to "flowers that have no root" and "birds without a nest." These images are powerful and emotionally charged, evoking a strong response from the reader.

The poem also makes use of repetition to emphasize the plight of the children. The phrase "Do ye hear the children weeping?" is repeated several times throughout the poem, becoming a refrain that echoes in the reader's mind. This repetition serves to drive home the central message of the poem and to create a sense of urgency.

Another important element of the poem is its use of irony. The speaker asks the question, "Do ye hear the children weeping, and know why they weep?" This question is ironic because the speaker assumes that the reader is aware of the children's suffering and should be doing something to help them. However, the reality is that many people were unaware of the extent of child labor at the time, and the poem played an important role in raising awareness of the issue.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "The Cry of the Children" is written in the form of a dramatic monologue, with the speaker addressing the reader directly. The poem consists of twelve stanzas, each with six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, with occasional variations.
• Imagery: The poem makes use of vivid and powerful imagery to convey the suffering of the children. The children's cries are compared to the sound of "the thunder underground" and "the sighing of the wind." The speaker also describes the children's physical deformities and injuries, such as "crooked backs" and "broken fingers."
• Tone: The tone of the poem is emotional and urgent, with the speaker pleading with the reader to take action to protect the children. The poem also has a critical and angry tone, as the speaker condemns the society that allows child labor to continue.
• Symbolism: The poem makes use of religious and mythological symbolism to convey its message. The children are compared to angels and are described as being sacrificed on the "altar-stones" of industry. The speaker also makes reference to the biblical story of the slaughter of the innocents, implying that the suffering of the children is a modern-day equivalent.
• Repetition: The poem makes use of repetition to emphasize its message. The phrase "O, the misery!" is repeated throughout the poem, as is the refrain "Do ye hear the children weeping, O my brothers?" The repetition of these phrases reinforces the urgency and emotional impact of the poem.

Overall, "The Cry of the Children" is a powerful and emotionally charged poem that highlights the injustice of child labor in Victorian England. Its use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and repetition, combined with its urgent and critical tone, make it a standout work of social protest poetry.

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