The poem describes a scene of industrialization and urbanization, where the city's growth has led to the exploitation of its workers. The speaker likens the city to Moloch, an ancient deity associated with child sacrifice, suggesting that the city consumes its own children in exchange for progress. The poem portrays the city as a monstrous entity that devours its inhabitants, leaving them exhausted and worn out. The speaker describes the city's streets as crowded and noisy, with people rushing to and fro, driven by their desire for wealth and material possessions. The poem also touches on the theme of social class, highlighting the stark contrast between the wealthy elite and the working-class citizens who are struggling to make ends meet. The speaker suggests that the city's growth has led to a widening gap between the haves and have-nots, with the wealthy accumulating more power and wealth while the poor are left behind. Ultimately, the poem presents a bleak vision of urban life, where the pursuit of progress and material comfort comes at the cost of human dignity and well-being.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1866 · Genre: Political Poetry, Social Critique, Historical Poetry