Blake: Songs of Innocence: On Another's Sorrow: Flashcards
Plot summary:
What is the plot summary?
The speaker reflects on how grief affects everyone, suggesting that God, particularly through Christ, shares in the pain of others.
The poem shows the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of responding to others’ sorrow with love and compassion.
Through sharing in the suffering of others, one can feel a deeper connection to humanity.
Key Quotes:
What are the key quotes? (CLUE: There are 4)
‘Can a mother sit and hear an infant groan’ - calls parents not to be complacent in their children’s suffering. - leads to sin. ‘Infant’ - extreme symbol for suffering it is contrasted with an infant.
‘Weeping tear on infant tear’ - Repetition - shows benevolence and pity - connected in innocence. - God is unity/sympathy with man.
‘He becomes infant small, he becomes man of woe’ - contrasts ideas of the church. God is not a mystery. God is innocent/child - model of existence.
‘Grief fled and gone, he doth sit by us’ - lack of resolution. 1/2 rhyme. Doesn’t end perfectly - shows how humanity remains tainted.
Form/Structure:
What is the form and structure of this poem?
The poem uses a combination of iambic tetrameter (8 syllables per line) and iambic trimeter (6 syllables per line), which gives it a smooth, rhythmic flow. Helps to show that what God’s character is like.
This regular structure and rhythm make the poem accessible (makes it seem like everything is going to be okay in the end) and the repetition emphasises the speaker’s deep empathy and connection to others’ suffering.
Key Themes:
What are the key themes e.g. love
In this poem, God’s love is shown through empathy and compassion for human suffering.
The poem suggests that Christ, by sharing in human pain, offers comfort and and peace those in despair. As well as being a source of hope and transformation
The poem emphasises that God’s love is intimately involved with human suffering, offering both empathy and the promise of comfort.
Key theme:
What are the key themes e.g. suffering
In this poem innocence is shown through the pure, selfless empathy with which the speaker responds to suffering.
Christ represents innocence and bears the pain of others because he loves us showing that true empathy does not avoid or fear suffering but embraces it (Christ died on a cross for us)
The poem suggests that suffering is universal, and through innocence, suffering can be met with healing and redemption.
Key theme:
What are the key themes e.g. comfort and hope
In this poem, comfort and hope are found in God’s empathetic presence during suffering. God shares in human sorrow, offering comfort and peace.
The act of empathy provides mutual comfort, and the poem suggests that God’s love offers hope, implying that sorrow will not last forever.
Ultimately, God’s love brings healing and the promise of eventual peace (in the afterlife)
Context:
What is the context of this poem?
The poem reflects Blake’s view of a compassionate God who understands and shares in human pain, particularly through the figure of Christ.
It also aligns with Blake’s critique of societal injustices, highlighting the need for greater empathy in a time of social upheaval.
The poem expresses the ideal of pure, innocent empathy in the face of suffering, presenting love and compassion as transformative forces (Blake wants the church to be like this)
Other poems it could link to:
What other poems could this link to?
“The Chimney Sweeper” (Songs of Innocence and Experience) – Both poems address the suffering of children, with “On Another’s Sorrow” offering comfort and divine empathy, while the Experience version critiques societal exploitation.
“Holy Thursday” (Songs of Innocence) – Like “On Another’s Sorrow,” it calls for empathy for suffering children, though it also critiques the contrast between churchgoers’ piety and the poor orphans’ suffering.
“A Poison Tree” (Songs of Experience) – In contrast to the open empathy of “On Another’s Sorrow,” this poem explores the consequences of repressed emotions and unchecked suffering.
“London” (Songs of Experience) – “London” portrays the societal suffering and oppression that “On Another’s Sorrow” seeks to heal through divine compassion and empathy.
