London

Question 1

Key themes/surface meaning?

Answer 1

lack of power and abuse of power, clear contrast between those with and without power

Question 2

Deeper meaning?

Answer 2

set in a time of England of poverty, child labour etc…, poet railed against these and how London arguably the greatest city in the world at the time was so dirty and corrupt.

Question 3

Quote 1 and explanation?

Answer 3

mind forged manacles - metaphor, they feel trapped, generate it themselves, everyone believes there’s no escape, belief in their own weakness hold them back.

Question 4

Quote 2 and explanation?

Answer 4

Marks of weakness marks of woe - alliteration, sounds hopeless, exhausted repetition of marks, they are in such despair it is now visible.

Question 5

Quote 3 and explanation?

Answer 5

Marriage hearse - oxymoron which juxtaposes the joy of marriage with the misery of death, Blake is suggesting that society has destroyed all good things in life.

Question 6

Structure?

Answer 6

Regular rhyme reflects the sound of his feet as he trudges around, misery, routine and this normality has become inescapable

Question 7

Poet?

Answer 7

Blake