london

Question 1

where did blake live and work and what period of time

Answer 1

Blake lived and worked in London during the Victorian era, a time of great poverty and industrial
change.

Question 2

what is this poem published as part of

Answer 2

Published as part of ‘Songs of Innocence and Experience’.

Question 3

what is this poem reflecting

Answer 3

This poem is one of the songs of Experience reflecting the more negative aspects of life.
.

Question 4

what does The opening “I wander thro’” show about the journey

Answer 4

shows the poem is structured as a journey.

Question 5

what does the Repetition of “charter’d” suggest

Answer 5

suggests London is owned and people have been robbed of their rights.

Question 6

In stanza two, what does the repetition of “every” suggests

Answer 6

suggests the enormity of poverty from children through to adults.

Question 7

Blake places blame on the church and state , how does he describe them

Answer 7

“black’ning Church” and “Runs in blood down Palace

walls”.

Question 8

Final words – what does “blights with plagues” suggests

Answer 8

suggests everything good is destroyed. “Plagues” implies decay and pestilence.

Question 9

what can i imply from all the repetition

Answer 9

could imply the cycle of poverty and that there is no escape for the lower social classes.

Question 10

how does the poem change as it goes on

Answer 10

Blake begins the poem London by just observing the streets. However, as the poem progresses, it
is evident he is angry about the institutions that should support the poor people such as the church,
the monarchy and the government. The poem ends negatively with implications of death.

Question 11

what are the 3 possible links and themes

Answer 11

Welfare and living conditions – Living Space

 Power and control – Hawk Roosting, Ozymandias