Blake - Themes Flashcards
How is the theme of redemption realised in Blake’s poetry?
- guide to restoration
- experience presents the deterioration which needs redemption
- religion as a gateway
- human desires and inner innocence lead to renewal
Which poems best show the theme of redemption?
- The Chimney Sweeper (I)
- The Chimney Sweeper (E)
- The Little Boy Found
- The Voice of the Ancient Bard
How does the Chimney Sweeper (I) present the theme of redemption?
Explores salvation from a life of hardship, and the redemptive potential of religious faith. However may also reflect the false hope and obedience encourage by religion.
How does the Chimney Sweeper (E) present the theme of redemption?
Displays the neglect of the child as his parents have gone to seek redemption, presenting the oppression of the Church through its control of people through the promise of redemption and absolving guilt through prayer.
How does The Little Boy Found present the theme of redemption?
Shows the possibility of divine guidance from a state of distress, emphasising the parental role of God and the reuniting of child and mother.
How does the Voice of the Ancient Bard present the theme of redemption?
Reassures of hope for redemption and renewal through the abandonment of dogmatic religion and social constrictions and the reawakening of innocence and human desires.
What is some context behind the theme of redemption?
- Blake believed the world to be in a fallen state
- Organised religion strayed too far from the spiritual ideal
- Particularly critical of the exploitation and neglect of children
How do Blake’s poems act as a social critique?
Focuses on the impact of exploitation and industrialisation on the state of human innocence and the divine aspect of humanity. He reflects negligence in the unnatural exploitation of children and the inherent greed in social hierarchy and the disempowerment of the working classes
Which poems best convey Blake’s social critique?
- The Chimney Sweeper (I)
- The Chimney Sweeper (E)
- London
- The Sick Rose
How does the Chimney Sweeper (I) present a social critique?
Criticises the labour system and its exploitation of children in poverty, constructing a social hierarchy from a childlike perspective. This is heightened by the optimism of the speaker, showing their innocent perspective and highlighting the unnatural cruelty and premature death they face
How does the Chimney Sweeper (E) present a social critique?
Highlights the dominance of the church and its hypocritical neglect of children. A hopeless and sorrowful speaker vocalises the oppression of hierarchical authorities on the working classes, especially children
How does London present a social critique?
Presents the urban environment as depraved and impoverished - Blake’s view of the modern human condition. Hierarchy and greed have resulted in a loss of natural humanity and freedom causing entrapment and desperation while the ruling authorities turn their backs.
How does The Sick Rose present a social critique?
Presents an allegory for the corrupting influence of sexual desire and the suppression of it, criticising the shame and guilt associated with it. Society’s shameful view of sex has corrupted natural love and desire, and caused the loss of an innocent joy
What is some context behind Blake’s social critique?
- time of great social upheaval internationally
- industrial revolution and the materialisation of society
- middle-upper class audience
- anti-monarchist
How does Blake present the theme of Innocence and Experience?
Innocence and experience are two complementary states of the human soul, innocence expressing awe and wonder and experience showing an awareness of suffering. Blake calls for the survival of innocence in a world of reason and suppression of natural impulses
Which poems present the theme of Innocence and Experience?
- Infant Joy
- Infant Sorrow
- Introduction (I)
- Introduction (E)
How does Infant Joy present the theme of Innocence and Experience?
Presents the ideal of childhood, a miraculous time of joy and new life. The baby expresses the embodiment of joy, happy for just being alive and spreading their joy into the adult world of experience around them
How does Infant Sorrow present the theme of Innocence and Experience?
Suggests the suffering endured in life and forthcoming exploitation of children. Highlights the fragility and vulnerability in life and the inherent oppression and restriction in the corrupt society into which the baby is unwillingly born. Also presents the constriction of the natural human soul in a world of conformity.
How does Introduction (I) present the theme of innocence and experience?
Expresses the intuitive joy of life and childhood with relation to divinity. Presents simple happiness but with underlying symbolism of salvation and sacrifice, adding the layer of experience to a joyful world
How does Introduction (E) present the theme of innocence and experience?
Prophetically portrays the fallen state of the human condition, alluding to hope for redemption in the future. Calls upon the Earth to awake from spiritual slumber, depicting the struggle against reason and return to a more imaginative and simplistic view of life
What is some context behind the theme of innocence and experience?
- experienced visions in his childhood, believing he was seeing past the fallen world
- piper presents the lyrical voice of innocence
- bard is more prophetic and sombre
- observes exploitation of children and the natural world
How does Blake present the theme of religion?
Organised religion is the oppressor of natural and spiritual instinct, enforcing ‘thou shalt not’ morality, rationality and fear of forceful concepts of good and evil. It retracts from spiritual divinity and becomes an instigator of hierarchy and authority
Which poems present the theme of religion?
- The Garden of Love
- The Little Black Boy
- The Tyger
- The Lamb
How does the Garden of Love present the theme of religion?
Religion binds the flourishing of love and prevents natural human instincts of innocence. It appears controlling and overly obsessed with punishment and sinfulness, killing love through rules and restrictions and reflecting the garden of Eden
How does The Little Black Boy present the theme of religion?
Social discrimination will cease to exist in the eyes of God as divine love transcends race, Blake’s imagery implies the boy is close to God despite his use of racist stereotypes. Argues life on Earth is temporary and God’s relationship with humanity is comforting and nurturing
How does the Tyger present the theme of religion?
Expresses awe at the marvel of God’s creation and examines the problem of evil in the world. Questions the ability of God to create such a divide between good and evil, innocence and experience and suggests both are necessary to comprise creation.
How does the Lamb present the theme of religion?
Marvels at creation and how it has all stemmed from God, the lamb is an expression of God’s presence in the world. Argues innocence and joy is God’s creative intention and the lamb is a pure of expression of this an humanity’s safety in the hands of God
What is some context behind the theme of religion?
- mystic and visionary, 4 states of the human mind
- organised religion is the paragon of tyranny
- mirrors Milton
- enlightenment
- Moravian sect - emotionally charged
- Swedenborgism
