London Flashcards
Cyclincal Structure
The first/second stanzas focus on impact on 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 will keep suffering until they break the cycle and rebel against society, like the French did during the revolution.
Consistent rhyme scheme and stanza length
Blake employs an ABAB rhyme scheme, along with consistent stanza lengths. He uses quatrains (4 lines) 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. This consist structure also highlights how suffering is relentless and never-ending, to the point of being overwhelming.
“marriage hearse”
Blake utilises juxtaposing phrases such as “marriage hearse” which contrast connotations of new beginnings, joy and happiness of weddings with the end of life and grief of a hearse. This is Blake making a societal criticism of how, for women, marriage was like death. Their carriage was a hearse, and they’re being sent to a marriage where they would have all their rights and property lost. The new bride is then subject to oppression by their husband. Blake was in favour of liberating women, and felt that marriage itself is an abuse of power, giving men the opportunity to abuse power over their wives.
“in every”, with “every”
The poem uses anaphora through the poem, the phrase “in every”, with “every” also repeated within the lines (seven times in total throughout poem). This may be Blake emphasising the extreme extent of the 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’s Victorian society. This repetition builds up to the final line like a literary crescendo.
“chartered” and “flow”
There is a juxtaposition between “chartered” and “flow”, because “flow” implies freedom, whereas “chartered” is describing it as owned by someone. Blake is also commenting on the oppression of nature by humans. Nature should be free for all to access and enjoy, but the greed of humanity is so great it tries to control nature.
Dramatic monologue
London is written with a first-person speaker 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 and take on, and this works with a monologue as it sets up a conversation. The poem is also written in first person to make it seem personal: this is the speaker’s own experience of London, and his home and his views.
“Black’ning church appalls”
“black’ning church appalls” refers to both literal pollution from industrial London and the moral decay of organized religion. Blake critiques the church’s neglect of the poor, contrasting it with Jesus’ teachings of compassion. The phrase underscores the stark difference between the church’s expected purity and its failure to act morally.
