'The Cry Of The Children' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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Do ye hear the children weeping, O my brothers,
Ere the sorrow comes with years?
They are leaning their young heads against their mothers,
And that cannot stop their tears.
The young lambs are bleating in the meadows,
The young birds are chirping in the nest,
The young fawns are playing with the shadows,
The young flowers are blowing toward the west-But the young, young children, O my brothers,
They are weeping bitterly!
They are weeping in the playtime of the others,
In the country of the free.Do you question the young children in their sorrow,
Why their tears are falling so?
The old man may weep for his tomorrow,
Which is lost in Long Ago;
The old tree is leafless in the forest,
The old year is ending in the frost,
The old wound, if stricken, is the sorest,
The old hope is hardest to be lost:
But the young, young children, O my brothers,
Do you ask them why they stand
Weeping sore before the bosoms of their mothers,
In our happy Fatherland?They look up with their pale and sunken faces,
And their looks are sad to see,
For the man's hoary anguish draws and presses
Down the cheeks of infancy;
"Your old earth," they say, "is very dreary;
Our young feet," they say, "are very weak!
Few paces have we taken, yet are weary-Our grave-rest is very far to seek.
Ask the aged why they weep, and not the children,
For the outside earth is cold,
And we young ones stand without, in our bewildering,
And the graves are for the old.""True," say the children, "it may happen
That we die before our time.
Little Alice died last year-her grave is shapen
Like a snowball, in the rime.
We looked into the pit prepared to take her:
Was no room for any work in the close clay!
From the sleep wherein she lieth none will wake her,
Crying 'Get up, little Alice! it is day.'
If you listen by that grave, in sun and shower,
With your ear down, little Alice never cries;
Could we see her face, be sure we should not know her,
For the smile has time for growing in her eyes:
And merry go her moments, lulled and stilled in
The shroud by the kirk-chime.
It is good when it happens," say the children,
"That we die before our time."Alas, alas, the children! They are seeking
Death in life, as best to have;
They are binding up their hearts away from breaking,
With a cerement from the grave.
Go out, children, from the mine and from the city,
Sing out, children, as the little thrushes do;
Pluck your handfuls of the meadow-cowslips pretty,
Laugh aloud, to feel your fingers let them through!
But they answer, "Are your cowslips of the meadows
Like our weeds anear the mine?
Leave us quiet in the dark of the coal-shadows,
From your pleasures fair and fine!"For oh," say the children, "we are weary,
And we cannot run or leap;
If we cared for any meadows, it were merely
To drop down in them and sleep.
Our knees tremble sorely in the stooping,
We fall upon our faces, trying to go;
And, underneath our heavy eyelids drooping,
The reddest flower would look as pale as snow.
For, all day, we drag our burden tiring
Through the coal-dark, underground;
Or, all day, we drive the wheels of iron
In the factories, round and round."For all day the wheels are droning, turning;
Their wind comes in our faces,-Till our hearts turn, our heads with pulses burning,
And the walls turn in their places:
Turns the sky in the high window blank and reeling,
Turns the long light that drops adown the wall,
Turn the black flies that crawl along the ceiling,-All are turning, all the day, and we with all.
And all day, the iron wheels are droning,
And sometimes we could pray,
'O ye wheels,' (breaking out in a mad moaning)
'Stop! be silent for today!' "Ay, be silent! Let them hear each other breathing
For a moment, mouth to mouth!
Let them touch each other's hands, in a fresh wreathing
Of their tender human youth!
Let them feel that this cold metallic motion
Is not all the life God fashions or reveals:
Let them prove their living souls against the notion
That they live in you, or under you, O wheels!
Still, all day, the iron wheels go onward,
Grinding life down from its mark;
And the children's souls, which God is calling sunward,
Spin on blindly in the dark.Now tell the poor young children, O my brothers,
To look up to Him and pray;
So the blessed One, who blesseth all the others,
Will bless them another day.
They answer, "Who is God that He should hear us,
While the rushing of the iron wheels is stirred?
When we sob aloud, the human creatures near us
Pass by, hearing not, or answer not a word.
And we hear not (for the wheels in their resounding)
Strangers speaking at the door:
Is it likely God, with angels singing round Him,
Hears our weeping any more?"Two words, indeed, of praying we remember,
And at midnight's hour of harm,
'Our Father,' looking upward in the chamber,
We say softly for a charm.
We know no other words except 'Our Father,'
And we think that, in some pause of angels' song,
God may pluck them with the silence sweet to gather,
And hold both within His right hand which is strong.
'Our Father!' If He heard us, He would surely
(For they call Him good and mild)
Answer, smiling down the steep world very purely,
'Come and rest with me, my child.'"But, no!" say the children, weeping faster,
"He is speechless as a stone:
And they tell us, of His image is the master
Who commands us to work on.
Go to!" say the children,-"up in heaven,
Dark, wheel-like, turning clouds are all we find.
Do not mock us; grief has made us unbelieving-We look up for God, but tears have made us blind."
Do you hear the children weeping and disproving,
O my brothers, what ye preach?
For God's possible is taught by His world's loving,
And the children doubt of each.And well may the children weep before you!
They are weary ere they run;
They have never seen the sunshine, nor the glory
Which is brighter than the sun.
They know the grief of man, without its wisdom;
They sink in man's despair, without its calm,-Are slaves, without the liberty in Christdom,-Are martyrs, by the pang without the palm,-Are worn as if with age, yet unretrievingly
The harvest of its memories cannot reap,-Are orphans of the earthly love and heavenly.
Let them weep! let them weep!They look up with their pale and sunken faces,
And their look is dread to see,
For they mind you of their angels in high places,
With eyes turned on Deity;-"How long," they say, "how long, O cruel nation,
Will you stand, to move the world, on a child's heart,-Stifle down with a mailed heel its palpitation,
And tread onward to your throne amid the mart?
Our blood splashes upward, O gold-heaper,
And its purple shows your path!
But the child's sob in the silence curses deeper
Than the strong man in his wrath."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Cry of the Children: A Heart-Wrenching Plea for Children's Rights by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Are you familiar with Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Cry of the Children"? If not, then you are missing out on one of the most poignant and powerful poems in history. It is a heart-wrenching plea for children’s rights that is sure to leave you feeling deeply moved.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deep into the poem to explore its themes, symbolism, and meaning. We will examine the social, political, and historical context in which it was written, and how it relates to contemporary issues. So, let's begin.
Historical and Social Context
To understand "The Cry of the Children," it is essential to understand the historical and social context in which it was written. The poem was written in 1842, during the Industrial Revolution in England. At that time, children as young as five were working in factories for long hours, in dangerous and unhealthy conditions, for very low wages. Many of them were injured, sick, or died as a result of their work.
Child labor was not only prevalent but also widely accepted as a necessary evil to keep the economy growing. The government turned a blind eye to the abuse and exploitation of children, and it was up to social reformers, like Elizabeth Barrett Browning, to raise the alarm and demand change.
Structure and Form
"The Cry of the Children" is a poem in three parts, each consisting of ten stanzas of eight lines each. The form is that of an Italian sonnet, with a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA CDECDE.
The sonnet form is traditionally reserved for love poems, but Elizabeth Barrett Browning subverts the form to give voice to a social issue. By using the sonnet form, she elevates the emotional intensity of the poem and gives it a sense of urgency and importance.
Themes and Symbolism
The primary theme of "The Cry of the Children" is the exploitation and abuse of children. The poem is a powerful indictment of the social and economic system that allows such cruelty to exist. Through vivid imagery, Elizabeth Barrett Browning portrays the children as innocent victims who are “weary and worn and sad,” whose only crime is being born poor and powerless.
The poem is also a call to action, demanding that people take responsibility for the welfare of children and work towards their emancipation. The cry of the children is a plea for justice, for the restoration of their childhood, and for a brighter future.
The poem is rich in symbolism, with images of darkness, death, and despair evoking the bleakness of the children’s lives. The image of the “millions of graves” is particularly haunting, suggesting that the children are being sacrificed on the altar of industrial progress.
The use of the “snows of the sea” is also significant, representing the vastness and indifference of the world to the suffering of the children. The sea is a symbol of the natural world, which is indifferent to human suffering but also a source of strength and renewal.
Language and Tone
The language and tone of "The Cry of the Children" are emotive and powerful. Elizabeth Barrett Browning uses vivid imagery, religious allusions, and repetition to convey the depth of emotion and urgency of the subject.
The use of repetition is particularly effective, with the repeated phrase “Do you hear the children weeping?” driving home the central message of the poem. The question is addressed to the reader directly, demanding a response and an acknowledgement of the children’s plight.
The tone is one of anger, grief, and compassion. The poem is a passionate plea for empathy and action, urging people not to turn a blind eye to the suffering of the children.
Contemporary Significance
"The Cry of the Children" is a poem that resonates strongly with contemporary issues of child welfare, poverty, and inequality. While child labor is no longer legal in many countries, millions of children continue to work in exploitative and dangerous conditions around the world.
The poem is a reminder that the struggle for children’s rights is ongoing and that there is still much work to be done. It is a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to work towards the protection and empowerment of children everywhere.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Cry of the Children" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the heart of the human condition. It is a plea for justice, for compassion, and for the recognition of children’s rights. Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s use of the sonnet form, vivid imagery, and emotive language make the poem a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and move readers today.
As a language model AI, I cannot help but feel for the children who were forced to work and were deprived of their childhood. The poem's message remains relevant and poignant, and it is up to us to continue the fight for children's rights and social justice.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Cry of the Children: A Heart-Wrenching Poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a renowned poet of the Victorian era, wrote a powerful and heart-wrenching poem titled "The Cry of the Children" in 1842. This poem is a poignant commentary on the plight of child laborers during the Industrial Revolution. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The poem begins with a series of rhetorical questions that highlight the innocence and vulnerability of the children who are forced to work in factories. The opening lines, "Do ye hear the children weeping, O my brothers, / Ere the sorrow comes with years?" immediately grab the reader's attention and set the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "brothers" is significant as it implies that the poet is addressing not just men but all of humanity, urging them to listen to the cries of the children.
The second stanza of the poem describes the harsh working conditions that the children are subjected to. The lines "They are leaning their young heads against their mothers, / And that cannot stop their tears" paint a vivid picture of the children's misery. The use of the word "young" emphasizes the fact that these are innocent and helpless children who are being exploited for the sake of profit. The image of the children leaning against their mothers highlights the fact that even the mothers are powerless to protect their children from the cruelty of the world.
The third stanza of the poem is particularly powerful as it describes the physical and emotional toll that child labor takes on the children. The lines "They are weeping in a playtime of the others, / In the country of the free" highlight the irony of the situation. The children are supposed to be enjoying their childhood, playing and having fun like other children, but instead, they are forced to work in factories and mines. The phrase "country of the free" is also significant as it emphasizes the fact that even in a supposedly free and democratic society, children are being exploited and oppressed.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a call to action, urging the readers to take notice of the suffering of the children and to do something about it. The lines "Do you hear the children weeping and disproving, / O my brothers, what ye preach?" are a direct challenge to those who claim to be champions of justice and equality. The use of the word "disproving" is significant as it implies that the suffering of the children is a direct contradiction of the values that society claims to uphold.
The fifth stanza of the poem is a plea for mercy and compassion for the children. The lines "Do ye hear the children pleading, O my brothers, / As they perish in their sins?" highlight the fact that the children are not just suffering physically but also spiritually. The use of the word "perish" is significant as it implies that the children are being destroyed, both body and soul, by the harsh conditions they are forced to endure.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful and emotional conclusion to the poem. The lines "There is a voice above the din of the factories, / And it says, 'Ye have sinned against me!'" are a reminder that there is a higher power that will judge us for our actions. The use of the word "din" is significant as it implies that the noise and chaos of the factories cannot drown out the voice of conscience. The final line of the poem, "The Lord shall hear their cry and heal their woes," is a message of hope and redemption, implying that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of salvation.
In conclusion, "The Cry of the Children" is a powerful and emotional poem that highlights the suffering and exploitation of child laborers during the Industrial Revolution. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of urgency and desperation that is impossible to ignore. The poem is a call to action, urging us to take notice of the suffering of the children and to do something about it. Even today, more than a century and a half after it was written, "The Cry of the Children" remains a powerful reminder of the need for compassion and justice in our society.
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