Poverty
by Henry Lawson (1867-1922)
I hate this grinding poverty,
To toil, and pinch, and borrow,
And be for ever haunted by
The spectre of to-morrow.
5It breaks the strong heart of a man,
It crushes out his spirit,
Do what he will, do what he can,
However high his merit!
I hate the praise that Want has got
10From preacher and from poet,
The cant1 of those who know it not
To blind the men who know it.
The greatest curse since man had birth,
An everlasting terror:
15The cause of half the crime on earth,
The cause of half the error.
1cant: insincere expressions in support of high ideals
"Poverty" by Henry Lawson. In the public domain.
Multiple Choice Question
Which two words from the poem MOST convey a sense of desperation in the context of the poem?
A.
grinding, everlasting
B.
preacher, poet
C.
heart, spirit
D.
crime, error
A. grinding, everlasting
These two words most convey a sense of desperation within the context of the poem. "Grinding" in this context suggests a continual, oppressive, and wearing down effect of poverty, emphasizing its relentlessness. "Everlasting" underlines the idea that this condition of poverty is unending, contributing to the sense of hopelessness and desperation felt by those affected.