London Flashcards
“I wander through each chartered street.”
This line highlights the speaker’s aimless wandering through the streets of London. It emphasizes the constrained and controlled nature of the city, where every street is “chartered” or regulated. The quote represents the theme of oppression and the loss of individual freedom within a rigid societal structure.
“And mark in every face I meet / Marks of weakness, marks of woe.”
These lines depict the speaker’s observations of the people they encounter in the city. The repeated use of the word “marks” suggests the visible signs of suffering and despair etched upon the faces of the inhabitants. The quote represents the theme of human suffering and the profound impact of social and economic inequalities.
“How the chimney-sweeper’s cry / Every blackening church appalls.”
These lines draw attention to the plight of chimney sweepers, who were often young children subjected to dangerous and exploitative working conditions. The juxtaposition of their cry with the image of the blackening church suggests the corruption and moral decay of institutions. The quote represents the theme of social injustice and the hypocrisy of established systems.
“And blights with plagues the marriage hearse.”
This final line of the poem highlights the destructive impact of social and moral decay on relationships and the institution of marriage. The use of the word “hearse” suggests that marriages are transformed into symbols of death and decay. The quote represents the theme of societal decay and the erosion of love and human connections.
This line highlights the speaker’s aimless wandering through the streets of London. It emphasizes the constrained and controlled nature of the city, where every street is “chartered” or regulated. The quote represents the theme of oppression and the loss of individual freedom within a rigid societal structure.
“I wander through each chartered street.”
These lines depict the speaker’s observations of the people they encounter in the city. The repeated use of the word “marks” suggests the visible signs of suffering and despair etched upon the faces of the inhabitants. The quote represents the theme of human suffering and the profound impact of social and economic inequalities.
“And mark in every face I meet / Marks of weakness, marks of woe.”
These lines draw attention to the plight of chimney sweepers, who were often young children subjected to dangerous and exploitative working conditions. The juxtaposition of their cry with the image of the blackening church suggests the corruption and moral decay of institutions. The quote represents the theme of social injustice and the hypocrisy of established systems.
“How the chimney-sweeper’s cry / Every blackening church appalls.”
This final line of the poem highlights the destructive impact of social and moral decay on relationships and the institution of marriage. The use of the word “hearse” suggests that marriages are transformed into symbols of death and decay. The quote represents the theme of societal decay and the erosion of love and human connections.
“And blights with plagues the marriage hearse.”
