London by William Blake Flashcards
What themes are presented in London?
- Power of institutions
- Abuse of power
- Internal conflict
- Conflict between people and institutions
Context for London:
- The poem was published in 1794
- Time of great poverty in many parts of London with prostitution and STIs
- William Blake was an English poem and artist
- Much of his work was influenced radical political views: he believed in social and racial equality
- The poem is part of the “songs of experience” collection, which focuses how innocence is lost and society is corrupt
- He also questioned the teachings of the church and the government
- He disliked the monarchy
Form and Structure for London:
- A dramatic monologue, there is a first person narrator who speaks passionately about what he sees
- Simple ABAB rhyme scheme: reflects the unrelenting misery of the city, and perhaps the rhythm of his feet as he trudges around the city. Also reflects the tyranny of the struct hierachy
- First two stanzas focus on people; third stanza focuses on the institions he holds responsible; fourth stanza returns to the people - they’re the central focus
- Third stanza rebels the form like the “chimney sweepers”, “soldiers”, “church”, and french family killed rebelled in society at that time as it deviates from the regular meter
“I wander through each chartered street”
William Blake repeats the adjective throughout the first two lines of the poem to show that the Thames and the streets are owned by the rich - he displays a bitterness towards this idea
“Marks of weakness, marks of woe.”
This shows what William Blake has seen. The alliteration is used to show the desperate lives of the poor in London, and how there is no hope.
“In every cry of every man, In every infant’s cry of fear, In every voice, in every ban,”
William Blake uses alliteration with the quote. This is used to highlight how poverty effects all ages and “every” emphasises a community, or a society.
“The mind-forged manacles I hear.”
William Blake uses a metaphor in the quote.This is used to highlight how the poor have no escape out of poverty, as they are stuck/trapped in this way of life.
“Every black’ning church appalls,”
At this point in the poem, Blake’s message can be seen. He has a problem with religion as the quote shows that the church is not using it’s power to help the poor, even though it should.
“And the hapless soldier’s sigh, Runs in blood down palace walls.”
Blake is bitter at the monarchy for not helping the poor, as they don’t even help their own soldiers, who die for them, even though they have enough money to stop it.
“How the youthful harlot’s curse, Blasts the new-born infants tear,”
William Blake makes this quote very powerful. The quote shows how poverty is a never-ending cycle - the prostitute, a symbol for desperation, would give birth to a child who is born into poverty, and will not get out of it.
“And blights with plagues the marriage hearse.”
The last line in London has bleak indications. The quote shows that the future (marriage) is in danger of death (hearse)
