Blake: Songs of Innocence: The Little Boy Lost: Flashcards
Plot summary:
What is the plot summary?
The poem shows a young boy who feels lost and is harshly reprimanded by an authority figure, deepening his isolation.
It shows how oppressive adult authority stifles the boy’s innocence and causes emotional and spiritual suffering.
Key quotes:
What are the key quotes?
‘Father Father’ - formality - helps to show that there is no relationship between the child and priest also is shown through the lack of rhyme.
‘Night was dark no father was there’ - suggests that there is no hope in the boys life. Helps to show lack of care. Priests are meant to be fatherly figures this one is not. Priests are also supposed to be reflect God’s love. Blake is criticising the church for giving people the wrong impression of God.
‘Mire was deep and the child did weep’ - Fathers are usually there to protect children but there is no one to protect the child. Shows the neglect. - rhyming couplets - helps to emphasise the child’s innocence and suffering - he’s been left alone.
Form and Structure:
What is the form and structure?
The poem has two six-line stanzas with a simple ABABCC rhyme pattern. It mostly follows a regular rhythm, but some lines change to show emotion.
The steady structure contrasts with the poem’s message about how strict rules from society and religion harm the boy’s innocence.
ABABCC structure - the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme, while the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other, and the sixth line has a separate rhyme.
Key Themes:
Key themes e.g. innocence v experience
In the poem the boy represents innocence, while the authority figure symbolises harsh adult rules.
The poem contrasts innocence with the oppressive nature of society and religion, showing how these systems cause emotional and spiritual harm to the boy.
Context:
What is the context?
The poem critiques 18th-century society and the oppressive nature of religion and moral systems.
During the IR child labour was very common highlighting the vulnerability of children in a harsh, exploitative world.
Blake’s contrasts innocence (childhood) with the corruption of experience (adulthood), critiquing organised religion and purity and exploit the innocent.
The authority figure in the poem represents these oppressive systems that fail to protect and nurture children.
Other poems it could link to:
What other poems could it link to?
“The Chimney Sweeper” (SOI) – Depicts the exploitation of children, highlighting societal neglect.
“Holy Thursday” (SOI) – Critiques how children are paraded as symbols of virtue but neglected by society.
“London” (SOE)– Condemns the oppressive effects of industrialization, especially on children.
