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Elizabeth Barrett Browning Research Paper

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The Victorian period became one of the greatest influential times in literature. The characteristics of Victorian literature were detailed realism, social responsibility and enthusiasm for reforms. During the Victorian period, people saw the birth of industrialization. Enormous changes occurred in the political and social life in England. Nevertheless the industrial revolution was the birth of technical and scientific ideology. Europe during this time saw the increase in wealth but also the increase in poverty. In addition Factors played a big role in the wealth of Europe because of the ability of mass production. The Victorian period was also a time of transition when women and kids were allowed to work in factors because fathers were not able to provide on their own. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a poet who was …show more content…

These reforms attacked the political and social treatment of the urban poor. The common masses insisted in reforms because of the hardships they had dealt with, while working in factories. The urban poor wanted social reforms that were able to touch upon the mistreatment of factor owners. In her closing statement, Elizabeth Barrett Browning attacks the government by saying, " ‘How long, O cruel nation, will you stand, to move the world, on a child’s heart?"( lines 93-94), this line in the final paragraph of the poem has Browning pleading with the country of England to reform the working conditions of their common mass and save the lives of the unfortunate children. Browning was tired of these children being forced to work under unsanitary conditions while working long hours. Cry of the Children, is Elizabeth Barrett Browning trying to rise awareness within her country to protect the children and not letting them continue to die in these factories. Browning know these children do not have a voice of their own, she is willing to stand up to her country to protect those who cannot protect

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