Context On Blake As A Poet Flashcards
What did Blake advocate for
-worked bring about change both in social order + in minds of men
-but during lifetime his work largely neglected + dismissed
-believed his writings were of national importance
-understanding of emancipation extended in many radical directions
-the freedom of slaved + a sympathiser for Br factory workers under harsh working conditions
What influenced his writing
-lived + worked london at time of great social + political change that profoundly influenced him
-1780 london riots incited by anti-catholic preaching of lord Gordon + resistance to continued war against American colonies
-in this houses, churches + prisons burned by mobs bent on destruction - Blake found himself at front of mob that burned Newgate prison
How did his love life influence him
-married Catherine a lower class woman
-marriage was successful but no children
-she supported him with everything he did with charming credulity
How did the death of his brother Robert influence him
-Blake stayed up with him when suffering with TB
-the occasion of seeing his spirit use to heaven entered into Blake’s psyche + poetry
-Robert appeared to him in a dream + gave him the secret of new form of relief printing
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How did the French Revolution influence Blake
-saw it as the mark of a wonderful new beginning
-the authorities in london limited freedom of expression to prevent repeat in their country
-a symbol of how disenfranchise + oppressed could seize power from the privileged
-resulted in end of Fr monarchy which Blake hoped for England
-lot of social change + political + economic atmosphere very influential
How did the Industrial Revolution influence Blake
-used his poetry to protest the Anglian church justification of the unfair conditions working class endured during in rev
-he criticises child labour + society that sees children’s misery but chooses look away
-reveals change of mental state of children forced to do cruel work
-he attacked economic devastation to working people incl children
