london - analysis

Question 1

‘London’

Answer 1

Blake chose the title ‘London’ because he observed what misery the poor people had to endure in the capital city of England

Question 2

‘I wander thro’

Answer 2

He writes this poem in first person signifying a personal first-hand account if the problems in London

Question 3

“charter’d”

Answer 3

This word could suggests that everything in London is mapped out and is owned by the government

Question 4

‘Thames’

Answer 4

could suggest that even nature in London is owned by the government and they have control over everything

Question 5

and ‘mark’ in every face…’marks’ of weakness

Answer 5

The repetition of ‘mark’ symbolises the physical scarring of the people of London. It could also suggest the obvious stuttering that was happening

Question 6

2nd paragraph ‘every…every…every’

Answer 6

repetition of ‘every’ implies the size of the problem because it impacts children and adults. No one can escape the poverty

Question 7

‘mind-forg’d manacles’

Answer 7

‘Manacles’ are handcuffs. The image of ‘mind-forg’d manacles’ implies that the people are trapped emotionally in society and in their social class

Question 8

‘Chimney-sweeper’s cry’

Answer 8

He is criticising the exploitation of children in London. Children were expected to do dangerous jobs to survive

Question 9

‘Every black’ning Church’

Answer 9

William is angry that the Church is not helping the poor people of London. By using the adjective ‘blackening’ this implies that the Church is corrupt

Question 10

‘Runs in blood down Palace walls’

Answer 10

This could suggest the soldiers are dying in pointless wars. Blake is blaming the monarchy for the deaths of the soldiers as the metaphor of ‘runs in the blood’ implies the Monarchy is murdering the soldiers.

Question 11

‘youthful Harlot’s curse’

Answer 11

Harlots = prostitutes
The adjective ‘youthful’ shows Blake is observing now young women/girls in London must go to desperate lengths to survive. The word ‘curse’ could imply that they are punished because they are born into poverty and they are trapped there forever

Question 12

‘blights with plagues’

Answer 12

The word ‘plague’ could suggest there is no cure for the level of suffering and the pain is like an infestation that is attacking London

Question 13

‘Marriage hearse’

Answer 13

‘hearse’ is a funeral carriage
Blake ends London with the oxymoron (two opposite words) to create an ominous tone. He seems to be implying that there are no happy endings for the poor people and that being born into a lower social class equals pain+death