Final answer:
The most compelling argument in 'The Cry of the Children' is the emotional argument (pathos), which uses poignant imagery and questions regarding societal values to evoke readers' empathy for the suffering of child laborers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most powerful argument in Elizabeth Barrett Browning's “The Cry of the Children” is arguably the emotional argument or pathos. This poem uses vivid, heart-wrenching imagery to evoke feelings of pity and sorrow, which serve to draw the reader into the plight of the child laborers. The poet describes how the children's spirits are broken by the cruel conditions of their labor, saying, “Their laughs are gone, for they are not at ease,” illustrating the suppression of their childhood joy. Moreover, Browning questions the spiritual salvation of a society that allows such suffering: “How can we love Him upon days like these?” These lines appeal directly to the readers' conscience and emotions, provoking an emotional response that is challenging to dismiss.
An emotional appeal does not necessarily establish a logical conclusion but rather seeks to influence the audience's feelings. Browning's poem excels in making such an appeal, expressing the grim reality of child labor with lines that foster empathy and a sense of guilt. For example, “the rhetorical strategy again is pathos, appealing to a sense of guilt.” This appeal is evident when considering that adults, who are more knowledgeable, should feel compelled to protect children who are even able to help prevent fires. These emotional pulls are powerful because they transcend rational debate and strike directly at the heart, often motivating action more than statistics or logical reasoning could.
In addition to pathos, Browning also integrates spiritual appeals by questioning the moral fabric of a society that overlooks such injustices. This spiritual questioning invites readers to contemplate their values and the greater implications of societal actions. Nevertheless, the emotional appeal remains the most pronounced throughout the poem, as it calls upon the reader's compassion and sense of justice, laying bare the pain and suffering of children forced into labor.