On Anothers sorrow Flashcards
What is the meaning of ‘On Anothers sorrow’?
that God is a benevolant being
- he cares for hsi creation and empathises with humans and animals which makes our suffering bearable, although it does not remove it
What does blake suggest about God in ‘on anothers sorrow?
that god is able to empathise with umaity because he has lived as a human through jesus
- invites the reader to consider a divine being that can be found within rather than outisde
“Can i see anothers woe/ and not be in sorrow too?”
Rhetorical question
- focus on emotions
“Can i see a falling tear, and not feel my sorrows share?”
- Sibilance emphasises sorrow with a weeping ‘s’ sound
“no no never cant it be”
- triple negation = highlight forec of rejection
- regular rhyme disrupted by spondee
- ironic as not many harboured these beleifs back in blakes london
What can the innocent speaker not comprehend in ‘On Anothers sorrow’?
the lack of empathy for anothers sorrow
What is blake angry about in ‘On Anothers sorrow’?
that we allow others to suffer by ignoring societal problems
“Pouring pity in their breast”
- Plosive alliteration = emphasize pity
“and can he who smiles on all”
he - god
- blakes idea of god was someone who was all encompassing and all loving
“he doth give his joy to all he becomes an infant small”
- religious allusion
- jesus the son of god was born in bethlehem and died through crucifixion
“Hear the small birds grief and care”
inclusive of all animals and humans
“oh! he gives us his joy”
Blake believed that gods love brings joy and removes gried
What literary device is commonly used in ‘On Anothers sorrow’?
Anaphora –> it comes together as a list of beings that god loves and understands
What does god take the positipon of in ‘On Anothers sorrow’?
An infant and a man whos sorrow he fels
What does the speaker stop doing in ‘On Anothers sorrow’?
He stops questioning and only asserts what he knows to be true about god = that he is always there sitting next to one as they suffer
What can god be seen through in ‘On Anothers sorrow’?
Through the compassion and steadfastness of others who one loves and is loved by
What is the main theme in ‘On Anothers sorrow’?
Gods love = seen thoughout the lines esepcially after stanza 4
What does the speaker question in the first stanza regarding another’s woe?
Whether he can see another’s woe and not experience sorrow himself
The speaker expresses a deep sense of empathy and connection to others’ suffering.
What is the speaker’s reaction to seeing another’s grief?
He feels compelled to seek kind relief
This reflects the speaker’s innate sense of compassion and desire to alleviate suffering.
In the second stanza, what does the speaker say about a falling tear?
He cannot see a falling tear without feeling sorrow
This illustrates the speaker’s empathy and emotional connection to others’ pain.
How does the speaker relate to a father witnessing his child weep?
He expresses that he cannot help but feel sorrow when seeing his child weep
This emphasizes the deep emotional ties and empathy inherent in familial relationships.
What rhetorical question does the speaker ask in the third stanza about a mother?
Can a mother sit and hear an infant groan and not feel sorrow?
This reinforces the theme of unavoidable empathy in the face of suffering.
What phrase is repeated in stanza three to emphasize the speaker’s feelings?
Never can it be!
The repetition underscores the speaker’s conviction about the impossibility of ignoring suffering.
What theme is introduced in the fourth stanza regarding God?
God’s love and empathy for all creation
The speaker compares his empathy to that of God, suggesting a divine understanding of suffering.
What does the speaker wonder about God’s ability in stanza four?
Whether God can hear and empathize with the grief of small creatures
This highlights the omnipresence of God’s compassion.
In stanza five, what does the speaker say about God’s actions towards suffering?
God cannot sit beside someone suffering without offering comfort
This indicates that divine compassion is active and present.
What does the sixth stanza emphasize about God’s love?
God’s love is boundary-less and constant, day and night
The speaker asserts that God’s care is ever-present.
What transformation does God undergo in stanza seven?
He becomes an infant and a man of woe
This suggests God’s deep understanding of human suffering and joy.
What is the speaker’s message to the reader in stanza eight regarding their feelings?
They cannot sigh or weep without their Maker being present
This serves as a reminder of God’s constant presence in times of distress.
What does the speaker state about God’s joy in the ninth stanza?
God gives joy to humankind to destroy grief
This indicates that God’s joy serves as a remedy for human suffering.
What does the speaker imply about the timing of relief from grief?
Relief may not come immediately, but God will sit with humankind in their sorrow
This emphasizes the compassionate presence of God during difficult times.
