Elizabeth Daryush’s poem "Children of Wealth" is a poignant exploration of the lives

of privileged children who, despite their material wealth, are deprived of the true
richness of life’s experiences. Through a detailed and layered analysis, we can see
how Daryush critiques the overprotective nature of wealthy upbringings while
maintaining a tone of sympathy for those who are, in a sense, victims of their
circumstances.
Rhyme Scheme and Form
The poem is a Petrarchan sonnet, traditionally structured into an octave (the first
eight lines) and a sestet (the final six lines), with a volta, or turn, occurring between
these two sections. Daryush, however, adapts this form to suit her thematic
concerns. The rhyme scheme is ABABABAB CDCDCD, where the alternating rhyme
pattern underscores the themes of separation and isolation, reflecting the physical
and emotional barriers that the wealthy children face.
Line-by-Line Analysis and Imagery
1. "Children of wealth in your warm nursery,"
o Daryush introduces the children of wealth, immediately placing them in
a "warm nursery." The warmth here symbolizes not just physical
comfort but also the insulation from the harsher realities of life.
2. "Set in the cushioned window seat to watch"
o The children are described as being "set" in the window seat, which
conveys a sense of passivity and objectification, as if they are mere
ornaments. The "cushioned" seat further emphasizes their comfort, but
also their detachment from the world outside.
3. "The volleying snow, guarded invisibly"
o The snow is described as "volleying," a word that suggests force and
energy. However, the children are "guarded invisibly" from this force,
highlighting the invisible barriers that wealth creates, keeping them
safe but also distant from real experiences.
4. "By the clear double pane through which no touch"
o The "clear double pane" symbolizes the barriers of wealth—transparent
yet impenetrable. The absence of "touch" signifies the lack of physical
and emotional connection with the outside world.
5. "Ultimately penetrates, you cannot tell"
o The children are unable to "tell" or understand the true nature of the
world beyond their protected environment. The word "ultimately"
suggests a finality, reinforcing the idea that these barriers are deeply
entrenched.
6. "What winter means; its cruel truths to you"
o Winter, a metaphor for the harsh realities of life, holds "cruel truths" that
the children are shielded from. The use of the word "truths" indicates
that these are important lessons or experiences that the children are
missing.
7. "Are only sound and sight; your citadel"
o The children’s experiences are limited to "sound and sight," sensory
experiences that are superficial without the accompanying physical
sensations. Their "citadel"—a fortress—represents their home, which is
a place of safety but also of confinement.
8. "Is safe from feeling, and from knowledge too."
o The line sums up the octave with a powerful statement: the children are
"safe from feeling" and "from knowledge." This safety is both a blessing
and a curse, as it deprives them of the full spectrum of human
experience.
9. "Go down, go out to elemental wrong,"
o The sestet begins with an imperative, urging the children to "go down"
and "go out." The "elemental wrong" refers to the natural challenges of
life—cold, discomfort, even danger—that are essential for growth.
10. "Waste your too round limbs, tan your skin too white;"
o Daryush critiques the children’s "too round limbs," suggesting they are
overindulged and physically unchallenged. "Tan your skin too white" is
an oxymoron, emphasizing how sheltered and pale their lives have
been, lacking the ruggedness that comes from exposure to the
elements.
11. "The glass of comfort, ignorance, seems strong"
o The "glass of comfort" represents the false sense of security that
wealth provides. The word "seems" is crucial, as it hints at the fragility
of this security.
12. "To-day, and yet perhaps this very night"
o The phrase suggests the immediacy of the potential danger, implying
that this sense of safety could be shattered at any moment.
13. "You’ll wake to horror’s wrecking fire – your home"
o The poem takes a dark turn as Daryush warns that the children might
"wake to horror’s wrecking fire." This fire symbolizes both literal and
metaphorical destruction—the inevitable consequence of living in
ignorance and detachment from reality.
14. "Is wired for this, in every room."
o The final line suggests that the very structure of their home—their
lives—is inherently flawed, "wired" for disaster. The use of the word
"wired" also hints at the modern dangers of technology and the artificial
environments that wealth can create.
Integration with Analysis by Poetry Prof
Poetry Prof's analysis complements this understanding by highlighting Daryush's
sympathy for the children, who, despite their wealth, are portrayed as victims of their
upbringing. The prof emphasizes the warmth and comfort of the nursery, but also the
way this warmth induces a "dreamlike lethargy," dulling the children’s experiences
and understanding of the world. The analysis delves into the use of consonance,
assonance, and sibilance to create a muffled, insulated atmosphere, reflecting the
children’s sheltered lives.
The critical point made is that while the children are safe from physical harm, they
are deprived of the emotional and experiential richness that comes from engaging
with the world. The poem’s structure, with its breaks and varying line lengths, mirrors
the urgency of Daryush's message—that these children need to break out of their
"citadel" before it’s too late.
In conclusion, "Children of Wealth" is a masterful critique of the way wealth can
isolate and insulate individuals from the true experiences of life. Daryush's use of
form, rhyme, and imagery creates a powerful, multi-layered poem that warns of the
dangers of overprotection and the false security that wealth can provide. The final
image of the "wrecking fire" serves as a stark reminder of the potential
consequences of living a life detached from reality.
Elizabeth Daryush's "Children of Wealth" employs various literary devices to
emphasize the theme of how wealth and overprotection can deprive children of
genuine life experiences. Below is an analysis of the literary devices used in the
poem:
1. Imagery

 Daryush uses vivid imagery to contrast the warm, protected environment of

the children with the harshness of the outside world. Phrases like "your warm
nursery," "the volleying snow," and "clear double pane" create a strong visual
image of the cozy but isolating world the children inhabit. The imagery of
"horror’s wrecking fire" at the poem's end further intensifies the idea of an
impending disaster, both literal and symbolic.
2. Symbolism
 The "clear double pane" of glass symbolizes the barriers that wealth creates
between the children and the real world. It represents their separation from
authentic experiences and the superficial safety that wealth provides. The
glass also stands in for the absent parents, highlighting the emotional
distance between them and their children.

 The "citadel" is another powerful symbol, representing both the physical

safety of their home and the psychological prison that prevents the children
from experiencing life's realities.
3. Alliteration and Consonance

 Daryush employs alliteration and consonance to enhance the warmth and

coziness of the nursery, using repeated sounds like "W," "M," and "N" in
phrases like "warm nursery," and "wealth in your warm nursery." These
sounds create a soft, comforting effect, mirroring the artificial warmth of the
children's environment.

 The shift to harsher consonant sounds in the second verse, such as in "Go
out, go down… tan your skin too white," contrasts the earlier warmth and
emphasizes the urgency of Daryush's message.
4. Sibilance

 The use of sibilance, especially in lines like "sight and sound; your citadel is
safe," creates a sense of muffled sound, mirroring the children's insulated
experience of the outside world. The hissing sound of the "s" mimics the
eerie, deadened noise of the snowstorm heard through the thick glass,
emphasizing their detachment from reality.
5. Metaphor

 The snowstorm outside is metaphorically described as "volleying," likening it

to a barrage of gunfire. This comparison not only highlights the intensity of the
storm but also the children’s overprotected perception of it as something
dangerous and alien.

 The "citadel" metaphor extends beyond a simple fortress, representing the

children's sheltered, isolated lives within their grand, yet imprisoning, home.
6. Irony

 Daryush uses irony throughout the poem, particularly in the phrase "safe from
feeling, and from knowledge too." The irony lies in the idea that while the
children are kept safe from physical harm, they are also shielded from
essential life experiences, leaving them emotionally and intellectually stunted.
 The term "elemental wrong" is also ironic, suggesting that something as
natural as playing in the snow is perceived as dangerous by those who are
too sheltered.
7. Enjambment

 Daryush uses enjambment, particularly between the second and third verses,
to convey the unstoppable nature of the impending disaster. The flow of the
lines mirrors the spreading of fire or the breaking down of barriers,
symbolizing the inescapability of the consequences of overprotection.
8. Sonnet Form and Volta

 The poem is structured as a sonnet, following the traditional form with a clear
octave and sestet. The volta, or turn, occurs at the ninth line, where the tone
shifts from describing the children’s sheltered life to urgently advising them to
"go down, go out to elemental wrong." This structural device highlights the
poem’s argument and its proposed solution.
9. Oxymoron

 The phrase "tan your skin too white" serves as an oxymoron, suggesting the
unnatural paleness of the children's skin due to their sheltered life. It
underscores the poem’s critique of the way their upbringing deprives them of
normal, healthy experiences.
10. Repetition and Anaphora

 Repetition is used to create emphasis, particularly in the imperative phrases

like "Go down, go out." The repetition of the verb "go" underscores the
urgency of Daryush's plea for the children to break free from their insulated
world.
11. Allusion

 The final lines of the poem allude to historical events where unequal societies
have ended in violence and destruction, reinforcing the poem’s warning about
the dangers of social and emotional isolation.
These literary devices work together to convey Daryush's critique of the isolating
effects of wealth and overprotection, urging a more balanced approach to life that
includes risk and experiential learning.