Chimney Sweeper & London poems Flashcards
When was the industrial revolution?
1760-1840
Who was the author of these poems?
William Blake
What was the industrial revolution like?
A time full of poverty, overworked people, corruption & exploitation of the working class
What are the two poems titled?
London & Chimney Sweeper (e)
What does Blake explore in these poems?
His views against the Church, child labour, the Monarchy, etc.
How does Blake express his ideas in these poems?
Using sensorial techniques, emotive diction, and symbolism
Symbolism: “But most thro’ midnight streets I hear, How the youthful Harlots curse, Blasts the new-born infants’ ear.”
The cries of the child prostitutes and her newborn baby, they’re cursing their situation. The exploitation of children was rife. Families had no choice but to send their children to work in order to earn a living
Symbolism: Crying “weep! ‘weep!” in notes of woe! “Where are thy father and mother? Say?”
A young boy can be heard crying out, wondering where his mother and father have gone. It’s ironic that his parents have abandoned him to attend Church, believing they’ll have a great afterlife if they follow the orders of the Church, all the while neglecting their young child.
Symbolism: “In every cry of every Man, In every Infants cry of fear, In every voice: in every ban.”
More pain and sadness can be heard by nearly every man in London as the narrator walks down the street.
What words did Blake use to create vivid imagery of a cold, depressing London?
‘plagues’, ‘hapless’, and ‘curse’
What can be perceived through Blake’s use of sensory language?
Themes of dejection and the illumination of the sadness and inhumanity of the Industrial Revolution?
What does emotive diction in these poems do?
Reinforce these ideas of sadness and woe, persuading the reader to sympathise with people of the time.
Emotive diction: “A little black thing among the snow.”
The image of a small, insignificant child crying is brought to mind. The use of the word ‘little’ and ‘thing’ evoke feelings of sympathy and sorrow. Words are used to dehumanise the subject, and to diminish them. This child chimney sweep is deemed worthless and looked down upon by society
Emotive diction: “And because I am happy and dance and sing, They think they have done me no injury.”
This line references his parents. The child is remaining positive despite the fact that his parents have abandoned him to attend church.
Emotive diction: “And mark in every face I meet, Marks of weakness, marks of woe.”
As the narrator walks down the desolate streets of London he encounters faces marked with signs of weakness and woe. These humans have been roked to the bone and are miserable because of this.
