Poetry - London

Question 1

What is significant about when the poem is written?

Empire was… ?

Answer 1

Late 18th century

british empire was thriving and was seen as powerful; poem contrasts this

Question 2

What type of structure is used in London?

rhyme scheme
what does this symbolise? (3 points)

Answer 2

ABAB Rhyme Scheme

• repetitiveness reflects relentlessness/inescapable suffering
• rhythm suggests walking
• juxtaposition; london (city and poem) LOOKS clean, but upon inspection has problems

Question 3

What type of structure is used in London?

Cyclical
* how is it cyclical?
* what does this symbolise?

Answer 3

Cyclical Structure

• stanza 4 returns to the focus of suffering
• shows the inescapable cycle of suffering

Question 4

What type of structure is used in London?

alternating stress/unstressed syllables
* what does this show?
* its not shown in lines ? and stanza ? ; why?

Answer 4

Iambic Tetrameter

• shows how repetitive life is
• not in lines 4 and stanza 3 to reflect the weakness

Question 5

What themes are in London?

• Theme 1 - how is this shown?
• Theme 2 - how is this shown?

Answer 5

• Abuse of power - young men sent to war
• Control - they think they are free; Blake can hear the shackles

Question 6

QUOTE
Infant

• word = infant = ?
• > this shows?
• technique = ? This shows?

Answer 6

“In every infant’s cry of fear”

• infant connotes young age
• > there is ZERO hope of escaping, even infants cry
• Repetition = “every” overwheling sense of oppression and unfairness

Question 7

QUOTE
marks

• word = weakness = ?
• technique ?

Answer 7

“marks in every face i meet, marks of weakness, marks of woe”

• noun weakness = could not fight back against govournment - THEME OF POWER
• rule of 3 (repetition) of marks = everyone is branded with sadness from poverty; inevitable

Question 8

QUOTE
manacles

• manacles = ? LINK WITH “BRDTPW” THEME
• symbolism = ? William Blake…?

Answer 8

“mind forged manacles i hear”

manacles = chains

• noun manacles = crime? monarchy was wrong ; “blood run down the palace walls” = ABUSE OF POWER
• manacles symbolise the control over the citizens; blake heard their manacles and therefore wrote the poem, he heard the suffering