London Flashcards
Who wrote London?
William Blake
What does the use of “I” show?
The use of a first person narrator personalises the poem and makes it seem more real
What verb seems purposeless and could reflect how he feels powerless to change what’s happening?
“Wander”
What phrase suggests the whole city is affected and not just one area?
“Each chartered street”
Which phrase shows that natural features like the River Thames are under human control?
“Chartered Thames”
What does the repetition of “marks” and “every” show?
It emphasises the feeling of bleakness as despair affects everyone and there’s no relief from it
What quotations shows that the speaker heard distressing noises which makes it seem like a vivid, hellish experience?
“infant’s cry of fear” “i hear”
What quotation implies that people are trapped in every way, even by thoughts and attitudes?
“The mind-forged manacles”
What does “chimney-sweeper’s cry” suggest?
Chimney sweeps were usually young boys - this is an emotive image of child labour
What does the quotation “black’ning church” suggest?
He seems to be angry at all forms of power, describing the church as “black’ning” suggests that it is corrupt or that it is tarnished by its failure to look after people. It’s also a grim visual image of the ugliness caused by the industrial revolution.
What quotation may be a reference to the French revolution - suggesting it sounds like he thinks ordinary people suffer while those in the palace are protected behind walls?
“Runs in blood down palace walls”
What does the quotation “youthful harlot’s curse” show?
A contrast between innocence of youth and sordidness of prostitution
What does “curse” suggest?
He hears the prostitutes swearing, but he might also mean that they’re a curse on London
What quotation emphasises that the innocence of newborn babies is lost immediately as society damages its members?
“Blasts the new-born infant’s tear”
What does “blights with plagues” hint at?
The Powerful language of illness and disease suggest Destruction is implied by “blights”. And “plagues” hints at somethings that’s uncontrollable and destined to affect lots of people.
What quotation is an oxymoron that links the happy image of marriage with death and that suggests that everything has been destroyed.
“marriage hearse”
What is the context of the poem?
Blake wrote two volumes of poetry which explored the state of the human soul. The “songs of innocence” are positive poems which focus on childhood, nature and love. “Songs of experience” look at how that experience is lost and how society has been corrupted.
What is the form of the poem?
It is a dramatic monologue. The first person narrator speaks passionately and personally about the suffering he sees. The ABAB rhyme scheme is unbroken and seems to echo the relentlessness misery of the city
What is the structure of the poem?
The first two stanzas focus on people he sees and hears, before the focus shifts in stanza three to the institutions he holds responsible. The final stems returns to looking at people, showing how even newborn babies are affected.
What is the language of the poem?
The narrator uses rhetorical language to persuade you of his point of view. He uses emotive words and images to reinforce the horror of the situation. Repetition is used to emphasise the number of people affected and to show how society needs to change
What are the mood/tone of the poem?
Anger and hopelessness
