Multiple choice

What does the poet want to convey through this poem?

Directions: Read the following poem carefully and answer the question.

THE POOR CHILDREN

            Take heed of this small child of earth;
            He is great; he hath in him God most high.
            Children before their fleshly birth
            Are lights alive in the blue sky.

            In our light bitter world of wrong
            They come; God gives us them awhile.
            His speech is in their stammering tongue,
            And his forgiveness in their smile.

            Their sweet light rests upon our eyes.
            Alas! Their right to joy is plain.
            If they are hungry Paradise
            Weeps, and, if cold, Heaven thrills with pain.

            The want that saps their sinless flower
            Speaks judgment on sin's ministers.
            Man holds an angel in his power.
            Ah! Deep in Heaven what thunder stirs,

            When God seeks out these tender things
            Whom in the shadow where we sleep
            He sends us clothed about with wings,
            And finds them ragged babes that weep!

                                                                        Victor Hugo

  1. Little children deserve better treatment.

  2. God will not forgive us for what we do to the little children.

  3. We should respect the innocence of children.

  4. It is the influence of the adults that spoils the children.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The poem is a social critique highlighting how society fails poor children despite their divine nature. Lines about 'ragged babes that weep' and Paradise weeping when children are hungry show injustice. Option A captures this central message that children deserve better care. Option B is too extreme - the poem speaks of judgment, not unforgiveness.