Blake: Songs of Innocence: Infant Joy: Flashcards
Plot summary:
What is the plot summary?
This poem celebrates new life through the voice of a two-day-old baby named “Joy.” The poem expresses the baby’s pure happiness, while a second speaker, probably the parent, hopes the joy will last.
Key Quotes:
What are the key quotes (CLUE: There are 3)
‘I have no name but I am two days old’ - Not an official christening - natural not the church. Church corrupts this - no church interference - the church doesn’t need to be their for God’s presence to be there - contrast with 18th century church - believed that church officials were a mouthpiece for God - treats others unequally.
‘Joy is my name’ - Want to characterise child with joy before the church taint and corrupts it
‘Sweet joy (…) Sweet joy’ - repetition - shows innocence - untainted - contagious
Form/Structures:
What is the form/structure?
Infant Joy is made up of two six-line stanzas with repeating lines, reflecting the simple and pure joy of the infant speaker. The simple structure matches the innocence and happiness conveyed in the poem.
The symmetry between the two stanzas also mirrors the loving, mutual relationship between the new-born and the adult speaker.
Everything here, the poem’s shape suggests, is as it should be, harmonious and sacred.
Key Themes:
What are the key themes e.g. innocence and joy
Infant Joy is a short conversation between a two-day-old baby and an adult. The baby names itself “Joy,” representing pure happiness and innocence.
The adult, moved by the baby’s joy, wishes that this happiness will continue throughout the baby’s life. The poem shows babyhood as a time of bliss, free from the struggles of the adult world.
It offers an idealized picture of new life, filled with joy and wonder. This contrasts with Infant Sorrow from Songs of Experience, where infancy is shown as difficult and full of suffering.
Context:
What is the context for this poem?
William Blake was critical of the harsh conditions in 18th- and 19th-century England, especially during the Industrial Revolution.
Children faced terrible hardships, with high death rates and many forced into dangerous jobs like factory work and chimney-sweeping.
Blake saw childhood as a precious time and was upset by how society mistreated children.
Poems like Infant Sorrow, Holy Thursday, and The Chimney Sweeper criticize these injustices, showing a stark contrast to the innocence and joy childhood should have
Other poems it could link to:
What other poems could this link to?
“The Lamb” – Both celebrate innocence and purity, with the lamb and infant symbolizing divine joy.
“The Divine Image” – Explores virtues like love and mercy, reflecting the divine joy in human innocence.
“The Chimney Sweeper” (Songs of Innocence) – Contrasts Infant Joy by showing innocent suffering in a corrupt society.
“Holy Thursday” – Depicts the joy of children in a spiritual context, linking to Infant Joy’s themes of purity.
“Infant Sorrow” – A direct contrast, showing a darker, sorrowful view of infancy.
“The Tyger” – Explores innocence vs. experience, contrasting with Infant Joy’s celebration of innocence.
