London by William Blake Context

Question 1

3 facts about William Blake?

Answer 1

• born in London, it is believed that the eyes in the poem are his, writing from his own experiences
• poet
• painter and printmaker

Question 2

What did Blake often write about?

Answer 2

Rebelling against the misuse of power and class

Question 3

What did he have an interesting relationship with?

Answer 3

Respected the bible, christian

He disliked organised religion, e.g. the Church of England

Question 4

What collection does the poem come from?

Answer 4

Songs of experience

Question 5

Why did he reject established religion?

Answer 5

1) The church failed to give help to the children of London who were forced to work.

Question 6

Why was he able to write clearly about London?

Answer 6

He was arguably well placed to write clearly about London because he lived and worked there.

Question 7

What were songs of innocence and songs of experience suppose to be?

Answer 7

A companion piece, the two were published together.
innocence- simple moral lessons for children to learn
experience- world corrupted by humans.. critique of human power.. exposing the distance between those who are in power and those who are suffering. The suffering is inescapable because of the fact that it is caused by the misuse of those in control.

Question 8

Blake against industrial revolution..

Answer 8

he industrial revolution marked a shift from country life to city life. Machinery introduced..Brining changes to industrial and agricultural life, conditions harsh.. children made to work, 6 year olds working 19 hours a day.

Question 9

Songs of innocence and experience

Answer 9

Published in 1794
Aimed to show the “Two contrary states of the human soul”
Songs of innocence section= poems of a positive tone which celebrate, love and youth and nature
this contrasts with the songs of experience..
Intended to illustrate the effects of modern life on people and nature
Blake explores the topics of the dangerous industrial conditions, prostitution, child labour and poverty.. and more!

Question 10

The French Revolution

Answer 10

1789
People of France revolted against the monarchy and aristocracy, using violence to overthrow those in control
Many found the French Revolution inspiring, and used it as a model for disadvantaged people seizing power
Blake alludes (hints) to the industrial revolution in London.. implying that there could be a revolution on the streets as the two nations are experiencing the same political disturbances.