Chartism Quote by Alexander Cordell
““I thought of my river, the Afon-Lwydd, that my father had fished in youth, with rod and line for the leaping salmon under the drooping alders. The alders, he said, that fringed the banks ten deep, planted by the wind of the mountains. But no salmon leap in the river now, for it is black with furnace washings and slag, and the great silver fish have been beaten back to the sea or gasped out of their lives on sands of coal. No alders stand now for thy have been chopped as fuel for the cold blast. Even the mountains are shells, groaning in their hollows of emptiness, trembling to the arrows of the pit-props in their sides, bellowing down the old workings that collapse in unseen dust five hundred feet below. Plundered is my country, violated, raped.””
About This Quote
The poet laments environmental devastation, describing how industrial pollution has destroyed rivers, forests, and mountains, symbolizing the broader ruin of his homeland.
In simple terms: Industrial waste has ruined nature and his homeland.
Key Takeaway
Protect ecosystems from industrial harm.
Themes
environment
industrial damage
loss
heritage
nature
poetry
Mood
somber
urgent
Type
poetic
activist
When to use this quote
- environmental activism
- policy advocacy
- educational curricula
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
ecological collapse
industrialization
cultural erosion
Questions to Reflect On
- What actions can individuals take to combat industrial pollution?
- How can societies balance development with environmental stewardship?
A Different Perspective
The poetic tone may romanticize nature, ignoring economic complexities.
