London

Question 1

when was it published

Answer 1

1794

Question 2

context

Answer 2

• Blake tries to show the truth
• looks at corrupt society
• believed in social and racial equality
• questioned the Church teachings

Question 3

who wrote it

Answer 3

William Blake

Question 4

key quotations

Answer 4

‘charter’d Thames’

‘black’ning church’

‘blights with plagues’

Question 5

‘charter’d Thames’

Answer 5

• even powerful, natural features like the River Thames are under human control, and affected by the city’s problems

Meaning of “charter’d” – The word “charter’d” refers to something that is officially mapped, regulated, or controlled. In Blake’s time, many areas of London were under government charters that granted businesses and individuals exclusive rights, often at the expense of the poor. This suggests a lack of freedom and an imposition of authority.

Irony of “charter’d Thames” – The Thames is a natural river, which should flow freely, yet Blake describes it as “charter’d.” This is ironic because a river, which represents nature and movement, is subjected to the same restrictions as the streets of London. This reinforces Blake’s theme of human-made oppression and the unnatural constraints placed on both people and the environment.

Criticism of Industrial and Economic Control – By describing both the streets and the river as “charter’d,” Blake highlights how every aspect of the city, even something as vast and natural as the Thames, is dominated by systems of power and commerce. This reflects his wider critique of industrialization and capitalism, which he saw as forces that stripped away individual freedom and corrupted natural beauty.
Connection to the Theme of Oppression – The use of “charter’d” throughout the poem emphasizes how institutions control not only physical spaces but also people’s lives. This ties into the overall bleak, restrictive, and oppressive tone of the poem, where even nature itself is not free.

Question 6

‘black’ning church’

Answer 6

Literal Meaning – Industrial Pollution
The poem was written during the Industrial Revolution, a time when London was heavily polluted due to the widespread burning of coal.
The “black’ning” of the Church could refer to the physical darkening of church buildings caused by soot and smoke from factories.
This imagery reflects the environmental damage caused by industrialization, which contrasts with the Church’s supposed role as a pure and sacred institution.

2. Symbolic Meaning – Religious Hypocrisy
   The Church, traditionally associated with morality, compassion, and salvation, is described as “black’ning,” suggesting corruption, decay, and moral failure.
   Blake criticizes the Church for turning a blind eye to the suffering of the poor, particularly chimney sweepers, who were often young children forced into hazardous labor.
   The juxtaposition of the “black’ning Church” with the “chimney-sweeper’s cry” in the same line suggests that the Church fails to protect society’s most vulnerable members.
3. Connection to Blake’s Critique of Power Structures
   Blake frequently attacked institutions like the monarchy and the Church for their role in maintaining social inequality.
   The “black’ning” Church could symbolize how religion, rather than offering hope and justice, has become complicit in oppression.
   This aligns with Blake’s broader themes in London, where he portrays the city as a place of restriction, suffering, and moral corruption.

Question 7

‘blights with plague’

Answer 7

The word “blights” refers to destruction, disease, and ruin.
It suggests an unnatural affliction spreading through the city, affecting not just individuals but the entire society.
This aligns with Blake’s critique of the oppressive and decayed state of London, where suffering is widespread and inescapable.

2. The Impact of “Plague”
   The word “plague” evokes images of deadly disease, reinforcing the sense of inevitable suffering and doom.
   It could refer to sexually transmitted diseases (such as syphilis), which were rampant in Blake’s time, often leading to infertility, madness, and death.
   The spread of disease also serves as a metaphor for moral corruption—Blake suggests that the institutions of power (such as the monarchy, the Church, and the state) have poisoned society.
3. Themes of the Poem
   Sexual Corruption and Oppression – The phrase critiques how social and economic conditions force women into prostitution, leading to widespread disease.
   Decay and Suffering – The imagery of “blights” and “plague” contributes to the poem’s overall sense of despair, showing that suffering is inevitable in London’s oppressive society.
   Critique of Institutions – Blake implies that the government and Church allow this suffering to continue, making them complicit in the city’s decay.