London

Question 1

London overview

Answer 1

Blake uses the poem “London” as a vehicle to condemn the absolute power of the monarchy in London and the corruption of the church. Both of which have damaging effects on the people living there. He does this to highlight the hurt , which he experienced during the industrial revolution, caused by the corruption and controlling nature of this place.

Question 2

London para 1 quote 1

Answer 2

“I wander through these Charter’d streets”

• use of wander suggests a casual and leisurely stroll which suggests you don’t have to look for the things he states but they are forced onto you.
• “charterd streets” suggests the streets that usually flow are being blocked off

Question 3

London para 1 quote 2

Answer 3

“The Charter’d Thames does flow”

• the use of “Thames” reinforces how controlling the monarchy are as even the Thames which is flowing water is blocked.
• demonstrates the extent and damage caused as it causes there to be disruption in things that cannot be controlled usually

Question 4

London para 2 quote 1

Answer 4

“Marks in every face I meet”

• explicitly shows the damage caused on people in the place of London
• use of “marks” demonstrates the physical distress caused onto the people as the controlling nature of this place scars them
• use of. “Every” shows how the damage is on everyone and isn’t discriminatory

Question 5

London para 2 quote 2

Answer 5

“Marks of weakness, Marks of woe”

• repetition of “Marks” reinforces the trauma caused onto the people of London.
• the use of the letter “w” repeatedly indent the line which could be symbolic of the damage further

Question 6

London para 3 quote 1

Answer 6

“Blackning church” “blood run down palace walls”

• references to church and palace is his way of underscoring the power they have over the place of London
• use of “blood” and “Blackning” reinforce this as it describes the hurt caused by the corruption of the church and absolute power of the monarchy

Question 7

London para 3 quote 3

Answer 7

“Blights with plague like marriage hearse”

• use of simile describes how living in London is like a disease that you will inevitably suffer from”
• use of oxymoron “marriage hearse” demonstrates how being born in this place will eventually put you in a tomb.

Question 8

London structure

Answer 8

Rigid line lengths and rhyme scheme is symbolic of the control the monarchy has over people in london