London Flashcards
What is the main context of London
William Blake was an English poet who was writing during the romantic literary era. Thought the city was corrupt as he thought this was largely due to the political situation lots of his poetry was about political subjects
How does the French Revolution tie with london
London was published during the ‘reign of terror’. The French Revolution became an inspiration for many radicals as it was a symbol of how the disenfranchised and oppressed could seize power from the privileged. Resulted in the end of the French monarchy which was what Blake was hoping for England
What theme Blake explore in London
The theme of authoritarian abuses of power which is set in the capital of the most important country in the world at the time. London.
The poet emphasises with those who’ve been hurt most by the capatilist structures which cause inequality within society focusing on their misery. Overrall he employs an immensely negative tone which replicates his own disillusionment with both the government and the monarchy as well as the church
What is the perspective of London
Dramatics monologue-London is written with a first-person speaking passionately about what he sees and experiences combined with simple language in an almost conversational tone.
Blake wanted his poetry to feel accessible to all members of society because it contains messages and views everyone should consider.
What is the structure of London
Cyclical structure-the first/second stanzas focus on the impact of the people. The third explores the source of suffering and the fourth goes back to the impact again. The effect of this is for Blake to suggest suffering is never ending and implies to the reader that they’ll keep suffering until they break the cycle and rebel against society like the french did during the revolution
Structure (2)
Iambic tetrameter-Blake is fairly consistent with his use of the iambic tetra meter. This conveys order and control as the consistency of a rhythm provides a sense of the relentless oppression
Structure (3)
Blake employs an ABAB rhyme scheme along with consistent stanza lengths. He uses quatrains and this fixed structure enhances the sense of complete control and oppression which could mimic the way he feels lower classes are trapped in London. Also highlights how suffering is relentless and never ending to the point of being overwhelming
“Every face i meet. Marks of weakness marks of woe”
“Every”- anaphora is repeated within the lines. This may be Blake emphasising the extreme extent of suffering showing how it impacts everyone with no discrimination. The device gets very repetitive maybe to show how repetitive the cycles of suffering are in London Victorian society. This repetition builds up to the final line like a literary Cresendo
“Mark in every face I meet marks of weakness’s marks of woe” (2)
“Mark” demonstrates that this is a permanent impact of places powers with wide reaching and exception free extent. Also suggests you can’t remove the impact of the suffering they’ve experienced and like the branding of cattle, the citizens are branded too by their experiences
“Marks of weakness marks of woe” (3)
It could be argued that he represents the possible opportunities members of Victorian society have to break free through the small inconsistencies in the fight structure of the poem.
“M of w M of w” is only seven syllables which breaks the iambic tetrameter employed for the rest of the lines
Alternatively these breaks and structural weakening could arguably serve to reflect the weakness of Londons inhabitant as they’ve been permanently weakened by the suffering they’ve endured and this is the reason why they cannot stand up for justice or rebel against oppression
The speaker notices the suffering present in London everywhere but he also marks it which suggests he isn’t ignoring it but making a note and recognising it’s important and the need for it to change
“Mind forged manacles i hear”
“I hear”- Motif of auditory signs of suffering throughout the second stanza. Maybe Blake wants the reader to start listening to the signs of suffering around them as well as listening to his messages ultimately calling for recognition of society’s ills
Suggests the suffering of the citizens of london has become internalised. Maybe their oppression had resulted in them forging their own restrictions
“Manacles” are associated with slavery and a lack of freedom which shows people are enslaved by authorities but also by their own mindset and fear and also enslaved by accepting injustice. Blake is suggesting it’s their fears and aversions that prevent change as they are physically free but enslaved by concepts instead
“Mind forged manacles I hear” 2
These conflicts include the class system, ownership, charters and institutions like the church and the monarchy whuch Blake actively opposed. By presenting the manacles as having their origin in mind he is sending the message that society can be reformed by people having the strength of will to break free from their aversion to change and take action
“Every blackening church appalls”
Organised religion is also portrayed as a source of suffering for citizens of london in the poem highlighted by the phrase “every blackening church”
The adjective blackening is at surface level an acknowledgement of the soot and smoke that polluted every part of London due to industry in the 1700s
A figurative interpretation can be found through the negative connotations of immorality and evil derived from “blackening” which symbolises corruptio
“Every blackening church appals”
This can be perceived as a criticism of organised religion and its failure to provide for the disadvantaged members of society.
Therefore suffering is a symptom of the church’s failure to deliver on its duty. This is in line with Blake’s own support for the values and messages of the bible but contempt towards organised religion which he saw as betraying the Christian faith. Seen as sacrilegious and heretical
“Every blackening church appals”
“Appalls”-transitive verb. Connotes dismay and horror and reflects the lack of action of the church which should offer support and help to the poor but instead is more focused on their own wealth. A lack of morality appalls those who believe in the true meaning of the bible. The importance of loving and caring for others was extensively instructed by Jesus which juxtaposed the purity and love expected of the religious institution
