London - poem

Question 1

Main context of the poem? (3)

Answer 1

1. This poem is taken from “songs of experience”
2. England in the 1800s became very oppressive, influenced by fears over the French Revolution.
3. Laws began to be imposed which restricted the freedom of individuals.

Question 2

Key themes of the poem? (3)

Answer 2

1. freedom and restriction
2. death
3. the loss of innocence

Question 3

Summary of the poem?

Answer 3

What the poet sees and hears walking through london, which is presented as a depressing, bias place

Question 4

Structure (3)

Answer 4

• ABAB rhyme scheme - effect = emphasise the message of the poem
• 4 stanza, 4 lines
• Mostly even line lengths to emphasis you can’t escape, lack or freedom

Question 5

Form (4)

Answer 5

• Spells out HEAR
• Acrostic
• Telling people to listen
• The government needs to open his eyes

Question 6

Language 1 - “in every” (4)

Answer 6

• Repetition/anaphora
• Emphasises everyone is suffering
• is utilised to demonstrate how abused the working class of London truly were throughout that time period.
• The repetition helps the audience remember how badly working class is struggling - recognize the importance of blakes message

Question 7

Language 2 - “and blights with plagues the marriage hearse” (3)

Answer 7

• References to some of
  the damaging and disgusting diseases that are being
  spread across the city and affecting marriage.
• Blights - plosive - dangerous and harsh reality of life
• Semi-oxymoron - marriage is always gonna lead to death or will be ruined with disease

Question 8

Language 3 - “The mind-forged manacles I hear:” (4)

Answer 8

• manacles are metal chains bind to peoples ankles and hands - the kind to lock up prisoners - suggesting the working class are prisoners
• Working class are abused both psychologically and socially by their own city
• Mind forged - suggest it is all happening in their head
• the colon emphasises the speakers hears the pain everywhere, list coming in next stanza