London Flashcards
Title (London)
Blake probably used the title ‘London’ because he observed what misery the poor people had to endure in the capital of England and probably wanted to invoke revolutionary fervour in the people of london.
Accountants (London)
“I wander thro’” and “charter’d” and “charter’d thames”
Blake writes this poem using 1st person signifying a personal first-hand account of the problems in London. The word ‘charter’d’ implies that everything in London is controlled, mapped out and owned by the government. ‘Thames’ could suggest that even the nature of London is government owned
A small area on a surface having a different colour from its surroundings, typically one caused by damage or dirt. (London)
“Mark”
The repition of the word ‘mark’ symbolises the physical scarring of the people in london. it could also suggest the obvious suffering that was happening
More Repition (London)
“in every”
The repition of “every” implies the size of the problem because it impacts on children and adults. No-one can escape the poverty.
Jedi Mind Tricks (London)
“The mind-forg’d manacles”
‘Manacles’ are handcuffs. The image of ‘mind-forg’d manacles’ implies that the people are trapped emotionally in soceity and in their social class.
Institutions of God (London)
“Every black’ning Church appalls”
Blake is angry that the Church is not helping the poor people of London. By using the adjective ‘blackening’ this implies that the church is corrupt, again Blake is criticising institutions whilst trying to encouorage revolutionary fervour in the people of London.
Institutions of the Monarchy (London)
“hapless soldiers sigh” and “Runs in blood down palace walls”
This could suggest that soldiers are dying in pointless wars. Blake is blaming the monarchy for the deaths of soldiers as the metapor of ‘runs in blood’ implies that the monarchy is murdering the soldiers.
Good one for oxymoron (London)
“Marriage Hearse”
A ‘hearse’ is a funeral carriage. Blake ends London with this oxymoron to create a ominous tone. He seems to be implying that there are no happy endings for the poor people and that being born into lower social class equals pain and death.
