Blake: Songs of Innocence: The Lamb Flashcards
Plot summary:
What is the plot summary of ‘The Lamb?’
Throughout the poem, the child speaks to the lamb, asking it if it knows who created it.
Then tells him who made him talking about Christ and his nature.
The last line is the the speaker asking God to bless the lamb twice.
Quotes:
Key Quotes (CLUE: there are 4)
Clothing of delight (…) woolly bright - personification - pure nature of wool - brings joy - that is what children should be characterised of. ‘Woolly bright’ - suggests a beacon/guide. Shows how Jesus represents light and comfort
Making all the vales rejoice - Joy is innocence - it is infectious and cleansing - links to bible verse Psalm 23 - Jesus is with you even in times of trouble.
He is meek and he is mild, he became a little child - rhyme - shows the complex and reciprocal relationship that child with Jesus. By him becoming like a little child it helps to highlight that innocence is important and should be protected and that Jesus wants to be our friend - goes against what church was saying. God shouldn’t be a mystery
Little Lamb God bless thee, Little Lamb God bless thee - final refrain (repetition - shows certainty and peace)
Form and structure:
What is the form and structure like in ‘The lamb’
The first stanza shows a joyful, carefree scene of the lamb, suggesting God’s intention for all creatures to live happily.
In the second stanza, the lamb is connected to Jesus Christ, the “Lamb of God,” emphasizing that both the lamb and the child reflect God’s presence.
The poem expresses deep faith in God’s care and concludes with a blessing for the lamb, celebrating the purity and goodness of creation.
The poem symbolises the untouched purity of God’s work and by its also being in two stanza’s it helps to highlight simplicity and that’s all that God’s cares about. No need to be fancy like the Church is. God cares about the heart not the outside.
Key themes:
What are the key themes in ‘the lamb’ e.g. God and creation
The poem reflects on God’s creation through a child’s address to a lamb, symbolizing innocence and beauty.
This poem celebrates the purity and goodness of God’s works.
The child asks who made the lamb, and answers by linking it to Jesus, the “Lamb of God.” Both the lamb and the child are depicted as reflections of God, emphasizing the connection between creation and its creator.
The poem helps to show a deep trust in God’s care, ending with a blessing for the lamb and all of creation.
Key themes:
What are the key themes in ‘the lamb’ e.g. Nature
Blake contrasts the freedom and joy of nature with the absence of the urban world.
The lamb, symbolizing innocence and happiness, thrives in a natural, unspoiled environment, which nurtures it without restriction.
The poem suggests that nature, in its harmony, brings joy to both the lamb and the speaker, reflecting a bond between humans and the natural world.
The poem calls readers to value and preserve this relationship, highlighting nature as a source of freedom and happiness, unlike the oppressive city (criticising the Industrial Revolution)
Key themes:
What are the key themes in ‘the lamb’ e.g. childhood and innocence
Blake highlights the importance of retaining childhood values over adult fears.
The poem is a celebration of nature and God and this is reflected through the child’s perspective.
In the first stanza, the child worships the lamb as a symbol of innocence, raising the question of whether adults can still perceive the world with such clarity.
In the second stanza, the child connects the lamb to Jesus, emphasizing that both reflect God’s design.
The poem portrays childhood as a sacred way of seeing the world, urging readers to preserve this perspective to appreciate the joy and beauty in creation.
Context:
What is the context of Blake linking to ‘The Lamb’
The poem explores themes of innocence versus experience, drawing on biblical concepts like the Garden of Eden and the Fall. (Garden of Eden represents innocence and beauty whereas the Fall represents experience and cynicism)
The poem contrasts childhood and adulthood, joy and oppression that is gained through experience.
The Lamb can be seen to be a song of praise with biblical references to Jesus as the “Lamb of God,” highlighting themes of meekness and innocence. Shows the pure relationship between Blake and God.
Other poems it could link to:
What other poems could ‘The Lamb?’
Poems that link to ‘The Lamb are ‘The Divine Image,’ ,’ and ‘The Garden of Love‘. Both speak about nature and innocence and the danger with growing experience.
