London

Question 1

What does “chartered Thames does flow” show

Answer 1

• man has decided to construct nature to fit their ideals, yet river still flows, nature over man, criticism of man’s desire for control
• society in london is put down by institutions they should be open minded

Question 2

What does “mind-forged manacles” show

Answer 2

• reference to slave trade who gave london its power as an empire
• society didn’t know slaves played a role to get the queen an empire, they are closed minded, living under control of institutions is somewhat their fault

Question 3

What does “black’ning church appals” show

Answer 3

• biblical, hatred for money spent on church when people around are struggling, opposing religious views of charity
• Ellison,colloquial only poor see the issue, rich are blind
• morally polluted, money is spent on glamour not on those in need

Question 4

What was Blake’s motivation for writing the poem

Answer 4

• hatred of oppression from institutions

Question 5

How does Blake’s creativity impact the poem

Answer 5

• grew up in poverty as a child used his imagination to set himself free linking to the idea of society being close minded
• a poet and painter and believes in freedom of expression linking to nature being able to craft without disruption from man

Question 6

What does the structure of the poem reflect about it

Answer 6

• 4 line stanzas organised how institutions/man like it yet enjambment and caesura run through t showing it doesn’t work
• Enjambment shows corruption won’t end duty of society to step up and create change

Question 7

Three key quotes from this poem

Answer 7

“Chartered Thames does flow”
“Mind forged manacles”
“Black’ning church appals”