London Flashcards
Who wrote London?
William Blake
What did Blake question?
The teachings of the church and the decisions of the government. (he believed in the bible but disliked organised religion like the church of England as he thought it limited what people could believe)
What issues are Blakes poems often about?
misuse of power and class, social inequality, his political views
Why was there a rise in population in London during Blakes life?
The industrial revolution. As people came to London seeking employment.
What’s the name of Blakes collection of poetry that London is in? And what is the main message of these poems
Songs of innocence and experience. Critiscising those in power and showing the gap between those in power and those suffering.
What structure is the poem written in?
Quatrains (stanzas of 4 lines each)
What rhyme scheme is used?
ABAB rhyme scheme
Why is the repetitive structure of the poem key?
Reflects the repetitive and overwhelming suffering of the poor in the city.
What are the 3 main themes in the poem London?
loss of innocence, corruption, power (abuse of it)
What is actually happening/being described in the poem?
Blake is walking through the streets of London observing the corruption and dirt. Sees signs of sadness, child labor, loss of innocence, church and government corruption
‘I _____ through each ________ street’
‘I wander through each chartered street’
- ‘chartered’ = privately owned
- Repetition of it shows he’s critical of the increasing ownership in London
- Semantic field of oppression (chartered, mind forged manacles, mark)
‘_____ of weakness, ______ of ___’
‘Marks of weakness, marks of woe’
- Repetition captures despair felt towards industrial revolution
‘The mind-______ ________ I ____’
‘The mind-forged manacles I hear’
- Alliterative imagery captures self limitation placed on those at the mercy of Capitalist ideology
- ‘manacles’ = chains (self imposed limitations and a prison created in their own minds = they lack human imagination
‘Every _________ church _______’
‘Every black’ning church appalls’
-‘black’ning could denote a place of death/sin = juxtaposes the imagery of light associated with the church
- Blakes view of the church = helpless (he hated it for limiting what people could believe)
‘________ harlot’s _____ Blasts the ___-____ infant’s ____’
‘youthful harlot’s curse Blasts the new-born infant’s tear’
- ‘Harlot’ = prostitute. The fact they are ‘youthful’ shows how the young are being drawn into prostitution (due to low income = capitalists)
- Auditory imagery
- Loss of innocence - the first thing a new born hears is the cursing of a prostitute
