London Flashcards
Who wrote London?
William Blake
What were William Blake’s life dates?
1757-1827
Where did Blake fall in terms of literary eras?
Between neoclassicism and romanticism
–>Usually perceived as Romantic though
What was Blake’s background like?
Did he stick with this throughout his life?`
Supportive parents
10-Sent to drawing school
14-apprentice for engraver
Yes- worked as an illustrator
‘illuminated literature’
–>literature accompanied w/ detailed illustrations
When did Blake first publish his works?
What was it like?
1783
v immature
What was public reactions to Blake’s works during his lifetime?
How did this change in the 20th century?
Illustrated literature=
labour intensified
expensive
–>small circulation of his work
Considered failure
Appreciated in 20th century for personal style and radical ideas
What was Blake’s reaction to his lack of success during his lifetime?
Became depressed, isolated and alienated
Harbored anxiety and anxiety about this apathy
When did Blake change style from lyrical imagery to a more prophetic tone?
1790s
What were Blake’s views?
Leading up to French Revolution- political radicalisation intensified
Distained church (but loved imagery)
Disapproved of marriage- self imposed slavery (married himself)
Anti:
child labour
slavery
poverty
What does the languid verb within the first line ‘I wander thro’ each charter’d street’ suggest of the narrator (first person pronoun)?
Directionlessness
-Victim of exploitative system
(capitalism)
What does the repetition of ‘charter’d’ in lines 2 and 3 represent?
City becoming increasingly dominated by money and government domination
- ->lost freedom
- ->age of capitalism
What effect does the extended assonance in the end of the first stanza ‘And marks in every face I meet/Marks of weakness, marks of woe’ produce?
What does the repetition of marks suggest?
Sense of legarthy
Suggests multiple flaws of the system
What does the anaphoric, all-encompassing repetition of ‘In every…’ in the second stanza create?
Image of endless stream of helpless people being failed by the system
–>no one is spared
What does the alliterative metaphor of ‘The mind-forg’d manacles I hear.’ at the end of the second represent?
Self-imposed oppression caused by preoccupation w/ materialism
What does the use of the two social minorities ‘Chimmney-sweeper’s’ ‘the hapless Soldiers’ ‘ in stanza three do?
Illustrates how significant sections of society have been mistreated by the pillars of the Establishment
Shows clear examples that reinforce Blake’s overall message:
capitalism is failing to protect people in our society
–>materilism is breaking us apart from the inside out
What does the use of capitalisation in lines 14-15 ‘How the youthful Harlot’s curse/Blasts the new born Infant’s tear’ make a link between harlots and children?
What does this create an image of?
The youthfulness of the prostitutes is mirrored in youth of babies
Creates image of cyclical oppression that is inescapable when trapped into
What does the violent verb ‘Blasts’ in line 15 metaphorically imply?
An assault on the infant
What does the ‘Harlot’s curse’ in line 14 refer to?
CONTEXT
Syphilis
Major cause of death in the 18th century
What tone does the last line ‘And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse.’ carry?
Link w/ context
Prophetic tone
1790s- Blake changed from lyrical tone to prophetic tone
What does the unusual, oxymoronic phrase ‘the Marriage hearse’ end the poem with?
A strong sense of Blake’s views
-against institution of marriage
(=self surpression)
What are the themes of London?
Innocence
corruption
How does the structure reflect Blake’s idea of cyclical oppression?
Rhyme scheme in stanza 2 is reflected n stanza 4
How is London identified as a Romantic poem?
Gives voice to the marginalised and oppressed
–>social change
What can you link London to?
The Prelude -themes of innocence and nature Living space -themes of corruption Ozymandias -themes of oppression and corruption
