Blake: Songs of Experience: The Chimney Sweeper: Flashcards
Plot summary:
What is the plot summary?
The poem highlights the harsh realities of child labour, with a speaker reflecting on abuse and neglect.
An angel offers false hope of salvation, critiquing how religion pacifies the oppressed without addressing the social injustices they face.
Quotes:
Key Quotes: (CLUE: There are 3)
‘They’ve both up to the church to pray’ - church is seen as superior - parents have prioritised church over their children. Blake thinks this is wrong as children are the closest thing to God.
‘Clothes of death (…) notes of woe’ - ‘clothes’ are a symbol for maternal juxtaposed with ‘death’ - emphasises neglect.
‘Praise God, his priest, his king’ - the church is a vehicle for the monarchy - rule of three - king is last - meaning that it is the most important - which also helps to show corruption. God should be last.
Form and Structure:
What is the form/structure like in the poem
The poem has an ABAB rhyme scheme and consists of three four-line stanzas.
The regular structure contrasts with the poem’s bleak themes, highlighting the monotony and oppression of the chimney sweepers’ lives while critiquing false religious promises.
Themes:
Key themes e.g. false religion and false hope
The poem critiques how religion, represented by the angel, offers empty promises of salvation in the afterlife, instead of addressing the real injustices the children face in the present.
Themes:
Key themes e.g. corruption and oppression
Blake condemns both the societal and religious systems that keep the poor in oppressive conditions, offering spiritual rewards instead of tangible change.
Context:
What is the context of Blake?
Blake critiques child labour and the exploitation of children during the Industrial Revolution.
Blake also condemns religious institutions for offering false hope of salvation instead of addressing the suffering of the poor.
The poem reflects Blake’s broader criticism of societal and religious systems, calling for social and spiritual reform.
Other poems it could link to:
What other poems could it link to?
“The Chimney Sweeper” (SOI)– A more hopeful view of child labour, contrasting with the darker Experience version.
“The Tyger” (SOE)– Explores innocence versus experience, similar to the exploitation in The Chimney Sweeper.
“London” (SOE) – Addresses social injustice and suffering, akin to the exploitation in The Chimney Sweeper.
