The Golf Link Poem

The Golf Link Questions


1. Is this brief poem satiric? Does it contain any verbal irony or is the poet making a matter-of-fact statement in words that mean just what they say?
A satiric poem blends criticism with humor to convey a message. It uses irony to make its points. I definitely see satire in this poem. It shows the irony of men playing golf while children undergo child labor. While it seems to me that most of this poem does not contain verbal irony, there is one instance that does (in my opinion) use verbal irony. This is seen in the poem in the following statement: “The laboring children can look out and see the men at play.” The word “can” makes me think of a privilege for the children. Yet, this is not a privilege at all.
2. What other kind of irony is present in the poem?
I would say that there is irony of fate. It seems that fate has put these two different groups so near each other as if to mock the poor children.
3. The poem dates from before the enactment of legislation against child labor. Is it still a good poem, or is it hopelessly dated?
It is not dated because child labor still exists in several areas around the world whether we choose to see it or not. Also, these situations in which fate seems to mock us will always exist to some extent. I think everyone tends to look out and see others playing while we are stuck somehow in a “laboring” situation.
4. How would you state its theme
Laboring children, men playing.
5. Would you call this poem lyric, narrative, or didactic
I would say it is didactic. I believe that this poem aims to teach more than anything. It is written to educate the reader.