London by Blake

Question 1

I wander….

Answer 1

‘I wandered through each chartered street, near where the chartered Thames does flow ‘
-repetition of chartered shows each and every street is controlled, even the powerful Thames has been controlled
-the contrast of the verb flow reminds us of how rivers are supposed to act
-wander shows the writer has no purpose in life as they cant do anything
-everything is owned and controlled by the wealthy

Question 2

“In every face ..

Answer 2

“In every face I meet ..Marks of weakness, marks of woe.”
- pervasive sense of suffering and despair that characterizes life in the city.
-The use of the word “every” suggests that this is a universal experience that affects everyone, from the wealthy and powerful to the most destitute and marginalized.
- The word “marks” implies that these signs of weakness and woe are visible on people’s faces, perhaps in the form of wrinkles, lines, or other physical indicators. This idea is reinforced by the alliteration of the “m” sound, which creates a sense of heaviness and sadness
-words “weakness” and “woe” are also significant. “Weakness” suggests a lack of strength or power, which could be interpreted as a reference to the way in which the city drains people of their vitality and agency
-alliteration of ‘w’ could be used as a consonance as it creates a low sound which could reflect their emotions as low

Question 3

in every infants

Answer 3

‘In every infant’s cry of fear’
-repetition of every symbolises how no one is free
-creates sympathy in the reader as an infant is born innocent shouldn’t have to suffer
-indicates how every life is destined for misery

Question 4

mind forged

Answer 4

‘mind-forged manacles’
-refers to mental constraints or limitations that are self-imposed or imposed by societal structures and expectations
-metaphorical use of “manacles” is particularly effective because it conveys a sense of restriction and oppression. It suggests that the people of London are not just physically trapped within the city, but also mentally trapped by the oppressive social norms and structures of the time
-forged” also adds to the metaphorical power of the phrase which suggests that these mental constraints are created through intense, sustained effort. The fact that they are “mind-forged” implies that they are not easily overcome.

Question 5

chimney sweepers cry

Answer 5

‘how the chimney sweepers cry…every blackening church appalls’
–represents the young orphans forced to work so the metaphor and juxtaposition of blackening church shows criticism of the exploration of children
-the church is corrupted spiritually therefore its blackened as the sins cover the walls
-could refer to the soot and smoke produced by industrial factories
-moral blackening of the church to criticize of the organised religion and its failure to provide for disadvantaged members of society

Question 6

last line

Answer 6

“And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse”
-oxymoron links the happiness and joy of marriage with death to show how everything has been destroyed for the future
-“blights” conveys a sense of decay and destruction, suggesting that the corrupting influence of the city is so powerful that it has the ability to ruin even the most sacred institutions, such as marriage
-conveys a sense of inevitability and hopelessness
-“plagues” also evokes a sense of sickness and contagion, further emphasizing the idea that the corrupting influence of the city is spreading like a disease.