Blake: Songs of Innocence: The Chimney Sweeper Flashcards
Plot summary:
What is the plot summary?
In the poem a young chimney sweeper, sold into labour after his mother’s death, dreams of an angel who promises him that if he remains innocent, he will be rewarded in heaven.
The vision comforts him, offering hope amidst his harsh reality of child labour. The poem contrasts the boy’s innocent faith with the grimness of his situation.
Quotes:
Key Quotes (CLUE: There are 4)
‘Chimneys I sweep and in soot I sleep’ - Juxtaposition - Pronouns ‘You’ and ‘I’ shows our guilt v his suffering. ‘Soot’ is black and dirty, shows the corruption of the world. Children are forced into labour and no one is doing anything about it.
‘Curled like a lamb’s back was shaved’ - simile - young and vulnerable - sacrificed like Jesus (holy and Godly) ‘Shaved’ shows that the boys innocence was taken away just like his hair. He is tainted by experience.
‘The morning was cold, Tom was happy and warm’ - juxtaposition between ‘cold’ and ‘warm’ - helps to show indoctrination. Tom is being told what to feel. Tom is given no sense of agency. Half rhyme between ‘warm’ and ‘harm’ reinforced idea that they aren’t safe and protected - things are from perfect. It is an illusion.
‘If all do their duty, they need not fear harm’ - conditional -shows that the church is abusing their power and teaching people to fear. Ends on a note of fear - foreboding and dark.
Form and Structure:
What is the form/structure like?
The poem is written in simple rhymed couplets with an AABB rhyme scheme.
The two stanzas contrast the boy’s harsh reality as a chimney sweeper with the hopeful vision of an angel who promises him salvation and eternal joy.
The structure reflects the innocence of the speaker and the shift from suffering to hope.
Themes:
Key themes e.g. child labour and suffering:
The poem critiques the exploitation of children, as the chimney sweeper is sold into labour after his mother’s death, enduring physical and emotional hardship.
Themes:
Key themes e.g. social injustice
The boy’s suffering exposes the social injustices of the time, particularly the exploitation of vulnerable children, which Blake critiques through the contrast between the child’s innocence and the harsh realities of his world.
Themes:
Key themes e.g. innocence and faith
The poem highlights the purity and trust of the child, as he believes in the angel’s promise of reward in the afterlife, symbolising the innocence of children and their ability to hold onto hope.
Context:
What is the context of Blake?
The poem shows a child chimney sweeper’s suffering due to child labour, contrasting his innocence with the harsh realities of his life.
The poem offers hope through a dream of an angel, symbolising faith and spiritual redemption, while critiquing social injustice and the failure of religion to address the child’s suffering.
Other poems it could link to:
What other poems could it link to?
The Chimney Sweeper (SOE): A more cynical version, highlighting the harsh realities of child labour and the empty promises of religion.
London (SOE): Critiques social, political, and economic corruption, focusing on child suffering and the impact of industrialisation.
Holy Thursday (SOI): Addresses orphaned children’s exploitation while suggesting a spiritual dimension.
