Question

Question

This poem was written in 1789, during the Industrial Revolution. The exploitation of child labor was
common during this time period. Which of the following lines from the poem indicates that the
narrator was forced to work at a young age?
A He'd have God for his father, and never want joy.
B
And my father sold me while yet my tongue
Could scarcely cry 'weep! weep! 'weep! 'weep!
С
Then down a green plain leaping, laughing, they run,
D
Hush, Tom! never mind it, for when your head's bare,
You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair

Answer 1

The line that implies the narrator was forced into child labor at a young age during the Industrial Revolution is 'And my father sold me while yet my tongue Could scarcely cry 'weep! weep! 'weep! 'weep!'.

Step-by-step explanation:

The line from the poem that indicates the narrator was forced to work at a young age during the Industrial Revolution is B: And my father sold me while yet my tongue Could scarcely cry 'weep! weep! 'weep! 'weep! This line clearly depicts the harsh reality of child labor, where even children who were barely able to speak were sold into work. The practice of exploiting young children for labor was prevalent during the industrial era, a time characterized by long working hours with few rights or protections for workers, including children.

Answer 2

Answer: B. And my father sold me while yet my tongue

Could scarcely cry 'weep! weep! 'weep! 'weep!

Step-by-step explanation:

The speaker here is saying that their father gave them up to the labor market at an age when they could barely even cry talk more of speaking. This is an allusion to how young they were because children are less likely to be able to speak the younger they are.

This shows just how bad the Industrial Revolution was for children who were forced to work. The owners of the factory didn't care much for their age and only cared about the profit they stood to make and so hired them and paid them little wages which then went to their parents.