Answer:
The metaphor “beasts of burden” on page 5 of Kelley’s speech refers to children carrying bundles of garments from factories to tenements. Kelley compares the children to “little beasts of burden”, which indicates that the children have the same working conditions as a mule or donkey1. This comparison presents the image that the children are treated like animals used for physical labor1. This metaphor contributes to the theme of Kelley’s speech by emphasizing the mistreatment of children in the workforce and supporting her argument for reforming child labor laws.