London CONTEXT Flashcards
(31 cards)
who wrote London
William Blake
when was the poem ‘London’ published
1794
What are William Blake’s views?
He held radical social and political views, believing in social and racial equality and questioning Church teachings.
What is the narrator doing in the poem ‘London’?
The narrator is describing a walk around the city of London.
What does the narrator observe about the people in London?
He sees that everywhere he goes, the people he meets are affected by misery and despair.
How does the narrator describe the nature of misery in London?
This misery seems relentless, and no one can escape it, not even the young and innocent.
Who does the narrator suggest is responsible for the problems in London?
People in power, such as the Church, the monarchy, and wealthy landowners, seem to be behind the problems.
What is the form of the poem ‘London’?
It is a dramatic monologue with a first-person narrator who speaks passionately about the suffering he sees.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem ‘London’?
The ABAB rhyme scheme is unbroken, echoing the relentless misery of the city.
What does the regular rhythm in the poem reflect?
The regular rhythm could reflect the sound of the narrator’s feet as he trudges around.
How is the structure of the poem organized?
The first two stanzas focus on people the narrator sees and hears, shifting in stanza three to the institutions responsible.
What does the final stanza of the poem return to?
It returns to look at people, showing how even newborn babies are affected.
What is the form of the poem?
The poem is a dramatic monologue with a first-person narrator who speaks passionately about suffering. It follows an unbroken ABAB rhyme scheme that echoes the relentless misery of the city.
How does the structure of the poem progress?
The structure presents relentless images of downtrodden people, focusing first on individuals before shifting to institutions responsible for their plight, and finally returning to the impact on people, including newborns.
What rhetorical techniques does the narrator use?
The narrator employs rhetorical language, powerful emotive words, and repetition to persuade the audience of his viewpoint and emphasize the number of people affected.
How are the senses used in the poem?
The poem incorporates the sights and sounds of a city: the first stanza describes what is seen, the second what is heard, and the last two combine both visual and aural elements.
What contrasts are present in the poem?
Contrasts in the poem highlight that everything is affected and nothing pure or innocent remains.
What feelings are expressed in the poem?
The poem expresses anger and hopelessness. Emotive language and repetition convey the narrator’s anger, particularly towards those in power, while ‘mind-forg’d manacles’ suggest the people’s hopelessness.
