London Flashcards
What is the overall message of the poem?
It is explaining the problems within society. This is due to the abuse of the governments power.
What is the writers context within this poem?
Blake was seen as a threat to society
He was a naturist
He believed in fairies and apparently spoke to ghosts
He believed in God but not the church
Why did William Blake choose to write this?
He was a radical , revolutionary. He didn’t agree with the royal family or church. Believed in freedom of speech, which is why he is so against the government for trapping people in there own minds.
What are the structural techniques used in the poem to show control?
The use of Quatrains ironically show and relate to the control the people of London are suffering from with its equal and orderly layout. This orderly layout is also reinforced through the alternate line rhyme which upholds throughout the poem.
Why is anaphora used in the second stanza?
The repetition shows the total control and repression of the people below the monarchy.
What is a quote for Meaning in London?
“blood runs down palace walls”
Shows abuse of power from the British parliament and Monarchy.
What is a quote for Imagery?
“mind forged manacles”
Shows the control that the government has over the people, London civilians cannot even think freely.
“Manacles” has nuances of jail/ control, shows no free will to think b/c of the governments control.
What is a quote for Tone?
“Charted Thames”, “Charted streets”
repetition of “charted” gives a warning tone to make sure that you do not step out of line of the governments control. Also gives a controlling and dominated tone.
What are the structural components/ quotes?
Quatrains, shows control and structure in the writing of the author, he is a London citizen and shows control in everything that people do, including writing.
What are the quotes for language?
Semantic field of control:
“ban”, “manacles”, “charted”
Shows control with the repetitive use of lexis with nuances of control.
