Poetry- London

Question 1

Context of London

Answer 1

1794.
Blake was a Romantic poet who lived in London. Poem written during IR and shows impact of industrial revolution and monarchy on London, advocating for change.
Inspired by French Revolution, calling Londoners to action to strive for change.
Direct and bold poems criticised harshness of society

Question 2

Form of London

Answer 2

ABAB rhyme scheme
4 quatrains, Iambic tetrameter
Regularity of structure reflects repetitive harsh conditions and poverty. Strict structure reflects strict control over London and natural world, breaks rhythm to suggest revolution.

Question 3

I wander…

Answer 3

“I wander thro each charter’d street/ Near where the charter’d Thames does flow.”
-Wander suggests aimlessness and freedom
-Juxtaposes repetition of charter’d, showing how the city and river is mapped out and constrained, even nature
-Flow also suggests freedom of nature

Question 4

In every cry…

Answer 4

“In every cry of every Man, In every Infants cry of fear, In every voice:”
-Anaphora highlights the vastness and repetitive nature of suffering
-Repeated noun “cry”, highlights misery of Londoners due to strict control and poverty
-Juxtaposing Man and Infant again shows extent of suffering as all ages are impacted

Question 5

The mind-forg’d …

Answer 5

“The mind-forg’d manacles I hear.”
-Metaphor, showing how the manacles constrain all aspects of life shown through alliteration to make stand out. Shows that the people have control and can free themselves (FR)
-Manacles connotes control and imprisonment of people

Question 6

How the Chimney-sweepers …

Answer 6

“How the Chimney-sweepers cry/ Every black’ning Church appalls,”
-Repeated noun cry again shows misery of Londoners
-Colour symbolism and juxtaposition in it, Churches associated with light but are black’ning, shows need for change
-Synecdoche, one Church represents all. Church looked after orphan chimney sweepers who suffered, irony, criticises corruption of Church.