London by William Blake

Question 1

“I wander through each chartered street,/Near where the chartered Thames does flow,”

Answer 1

Blake uses repeated end-stopped lines. This helps to give the poem a strong rhythm but also makes his version of London feel restrictive

Question 2

Structure

Answer 2

In ‘London’, the narrative begins and ends on the dismal streets of London, suggesting that it’s inhabitants are unable to escape the suffering found there. In contrast, ‘War photographer’ ends in a different place to where it begin. However, the fact that the photographer is starting another assignment highlights the unending cycle of war

Question 3

“chimney-sweeper’s cry”

Answer 3

In ‘London’, Blake’s reference to the “chimney-sweeper’s cry” creates a vivid picture of child labour, which was common in the late 18th century. Blake considered child labour to be morally wrong, and he may have included this emotive image in order to boost public sympathy for his views.