London – William Blake

Question 1

Who wrote London?

Answer 1

William Blake, a Romantic poet known for critiquing authority and social injustice.

Question 2

What is the overall meaning of London?

Answer 2

It depicts the city as corrupt, oppressive, and full of suffering, critiquing power structures.

Question 3

Which themes does London explore?

Answer 3

Power of institutions, control, social injustice, loss of innocence, and human suffering.

Question 4

What does “charter’d street” suggest?

Answer 4

Government and money control even natural things, highlighting lack of freedom.

Question 5

What device is used in “charter’d Thames”?

Answer 5

Juxtaposition/irony – even a free river is controlled, symbolising oppression.

Question 6

What does “marks of weakness, marks of woe” mean?

Answer 6

Repetition and metaphor – suffering is visible everywhere, emphasising universality

Question 7

How does Blake present the poor in London?

Answer 7

They are trapped by social structures, with no escape from poverty and suffering.

Question 7

What literary device is in “mind-forg’d manacles”?

Answer 7

Metaphor – mental chains representing oppression by society and institutions.

Question 8

What is the tone of London?

Answer 8

Angry, critical, and despairing.

Question 9

Why does Blake use first-person narration?

Answer 9

To make the poem personal and authentic, drawing the reader into his experience.

Question 10

How is the church criticised in London?

Answer 10

“Every black’ning Church appalls” – metaphor showing moral corruption and failure to help the poor.

Question 11

What does “hapless soldier’s sigh / Runs in blood down Palace walls” suggest?

Answer 11

The monarchy is responsible for suffering; soldiers die for the rulers’ power.

Question 12

What imagery is used to criticise authority?

Answer 12

Religious (church), political (palace), and economic (charter’d streets) corruption.

Question 13

How are children presented in London?

Answer 13

As victims of poverty and oppression (“chimney-sweeper’s cry”), symbolising lost innocence.

Question 14

What is the significance of “marriage hearse”?

Answer 14

Oxymoron – even love and new life are tainted by death, disease, and corruption.

Question 15

What structural feature runs through London?

Answer 15

Repetition of “every” – stresses suffering is universal and inescapable.

Question 16

What rhyme scheme does London use?

Answer 16

Regular ABAB – reflects monotony and entrapment of city life.

Question 17

How does Blake use sound in London?

Answer 17

Harsh, repetitive sounds (“cry,” “sigh,” “hear”) create a sense of relentless misery.

Question 18

What is the effect of four regular stanzas?

Answer 18

Mirrors the controlled, restricted lives of people under authority.

Question 19

How does London reflect the Romantic period?

Answer 19

It challenges authority, values freedom, and highlights suffering caused by industrialisation.

Question 20

What emotions are evoked in the reader?

Answer 20

Anger at injustice, sadness for the poor, and frustration with corrupt power.

Question 21

What is Blake’s main intention in writing London?

Answer 21

To criticise the abuse of power by institutions and expose the suffering of ordinary people.

Question 22

How can London be compared to Ozymandias?

Answer 22

Both criticise power – Blake shows ongoing suffering, Shelley shows eventual collapse.

Question 23

How can London be compared to My Last Duchess?

Answer 23

Both explore control – the Duke over his wife, authorities over citizens.

Question 24

How can London be compared to Checking Out Me History?

Answer 24

Both challenge authority – Blake attacks political/social control, Agard challenges historical control.