London

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

William Blake lived in London for most of his life, through this time he saw how corrupted it was by greed and inequality.

Question 2

‘How the chimney sweepers cry, every blackening Church appalls’

Answer 2

• kids were used as chimney sweepers and he was against child labour
• he was actually religious but did not follow the church
• ‘black’ning’ symbolises the corruption of children
• emotive language used to show the crying of the children
• emotive ‘cry’ is part of semantic field and despair, symbolizing corruption of church
• verb ‘appalls’ signifies his disgust at this abuse of power and society did nothing

Question 2

‘the mind forged manacles I hear’

Answer 2

• metaphor
• population are enslaved by the Church and the rich physically and mentally
• also own the minds of the poor suggesting the Church brainwashes people
• William Blake criticized the Church and they abuse there power and the poor are completely powerless

Question 3

‘and the hapless soldiers sign runs in blood down palace walls’

Answer 3

• metaphor
• soldiers are typically associated with strength and power but the word ‘sign’ suggests they are fed up, Blake’s describes them as unfortunate and unlucky. Soldiers are powerless and they are prawns of the rich
• linking to the French revolution, this war was against the rich and powerful, the King was killed and the monarchy ended, this could be a potential warning from Blake telling us that if things don’t change there will be a revolution in England