"London" Flashcards
“I wander through each chartered street,”
“wander” - suggests that the poet is walking aimlessly, which my indicate to be powerless.
“chartered” - This indicates that every person in poverty is owned and controlled by the wealthy (government, monarchy, rich).
“Near where the chartered Thames does flow,”
The repetition of “chartered” shows that the whole of London is restricted/owned.
This also can be used as an oxymoron as “chartered” is restricted, where the “Thames” is supposedly to be free-flowing.
“A mark in every face I meet”
The repetition on “marks” throughout the poem demonstrates that this is a permanent impact of place’s power with wide-reaching and exception-free extent. This also suggests it cannot remove the impact of the suffering they have experienced, and like the branding of cattle, the citizens are branded too by their experiences.
“Marks of weakness, marks of woe.”
This breaks from the iambic tetrameter used for most of the remainder of the poem, which could reflect how if people rise up against institutions of power, they can free themselves from societal restraint.
“Every”
This word is repeated to show it effects everyone, which emphasises their feelings, which they cannot escape from.
“In every infant’s cry of fear,”
This is significant because children are supposedly born innocent and shouldn’t have to suffer. The phrase incites sympathy in the reader and also shows pessimistically how ever life is destined for misery.
“Mind-forged manacles”
Internal oppression and weakness, also a culmination of the suffering experienced in the preceding lines.
The alliteration shown creates a harsh tone. That the manacles are the psychological restraint.
“Black’ning church”
Adjective blackening is at surface level an acknowledgement of the soot and smoke that polluted every part of London during the 1700s.
Figurative interpretation can be found through the negative connotations of immorality and evil derived from “black’ning”, it is the moral blackening of the church Blake is referring to. This can be perceived as a criticism of organised religion, and it’s failure to provide for disadvantaged members of society.
“Appalls”
Connotes dismay/horror, and reflects the lack of action of the church, which should offer support and help the poor, but instead is focused more on its own wealth. A lack of morality appalls those who believe in the true meaning of the Bible, importance of loving and caring for others taught by Jesus. It juxtaposes the purity and love expected of the religious institution.
“Youthful harlot’s curse”
Juxtaposed connotations of new beginnings, joy and happiness of wedding with the end of her life and a grief of a hearse.
“Marriage hearse”
Juxtaposition of innocence of youth with immorality of harlot.
What does the title “London” suggest?
That London is a very powerful city, which instantly sets up the theme of power for the poem.
London is a massive city, which may suggests the poem will tackle large societal issues.
Which poems link to “London”?
Welfare + Living Conditions - Living Space
Power + Control - Hawk Roosting, Ozymandias
