The Chimney Sweeper [2]

Question

What is the tone of the speaker in line 3? What social critisism is impicit in the speaker's question (line 3) and the boy's response (line 4)?

Asked by Handsome Guy on 4/3/2016 12:08 PM

Last updated by Aslan on 4/3/2016 5:03 PM

Answered by Aslan on 4/3/2016 5:03 PM

There is a sense of tragedy in this line. The speaker was sold into indentured labour as a small child, seemingly old enough to barely talk.

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

The boy's response is a resignation to his horrible life.

So your chimneys I sweep, and in soot I sleep.