The Cry of the Children

"The Cry of the Children" is a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning that highlights the harsh realities of child labor during the Industrial Revolution. It emphasizes how young children, often working in factories or mines, suffer under poor conditions, exhausting physical labor, and lack of proper care or education. Browning's powerful language aims to evoke empathy and raise awareness about the exploitation of children, insisting on social reform. The poem advocates for the dignity of childhood and calls for societal change to protect vulnerable young workers from harmful working environments.