London - William Blake

Question 1

‘black’ning church’

Answer 1

The oxymoron reflects how even churches that are supposed to bring light into the world have been darkened by the industrial revolution. hopelessness and desperation.

Question 2

‘in every (…) in every (…) in every (…)’

Answer 2

The use of this anaphora implies the suffering is continuous and applies to all people. and its obvious to the narrator when walking the streets of london. the city has become desperate and desolate.

Question 3

‘marks of weakness marks of woe

Answer 3

repetition of nouns shows physical misery other readers could interpret as they are branded and owned by the state lacking individuality as a result of the industrial revolution.

Question 4

acrostic: ‘HEAR’ stanza 3

Answer 4

The poem is about criticising the changes made in the industrial revolution. The poet wants us to feel his anger towards the world he is living in. The message is to listen to him.

Question 5

the ABAB rhyme structure r

Answer 5

reflects the monotony and entrapment life in london.

Question 6

marks of weakness marks of woe

Answer 6

alliteration of m sound
dictates the pace of the reader as it cant be read quickly, so allows slow and rhythmic pondering, allowing the reader to appreciate their shock and impact

Question 7

hapless soldiers sigh

Answer 7

sibilance
slows reader down, adds to feeling of horror, the atrocities that are witnessed are seemingly whispered, sinister

Question 8

blasts

Answer 8

onomatopea - people of London are constantly weighed down by pain and suffering, eventually there will be a violent outburst.

Question 9

constant pain and suffering of people of london

Answer 9

blake feels inevitable revoloution like france