2.1.1
Summary
Summary of London
Summary of London
William Blake's London describes a narrator's experience of walking through London. The poem was published as part of a collection in 1794.
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Summary
Summary
- The speaker describes his experience of walking through the streets of London.
- He is struck by the poverty, disease and misery he sees and expresses anger that those in power do nothing to help.
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Blake's radical views
Blake's radical views
- Blake’s views were radical at the time he was writing – he was critical of the rich’s lives of luxury compared to the suffering of the poor.
- He was also against religion and saw the Church as corrupt.
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Blake's works
Blake's works
- Blake wrote two famous groups of poems – “Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience”.
- “Innocence” poems explored ideas such as childhood and nature and were positive in their outlook.
- “Experience” poems had a darker tone and focused on the corruption of society. This poem was published in the “Song of Experience” collection.
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Influence of the French Revolution
Influence of the French Revolution
- Blake saw the French Revolution of 1789 as the mark of a wonderful new beginning.
- In response to events in France, the authorities in London limited freedom of expression to prevent a repeat in their country.
- This is referred to in the poem through the links to the streets being “chartered” and the “mind-forged manacles”.
Key Concepts in London
Key Concepts in London
The poem is very negative and lacks any sense of hope for the future.
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Being trapped
Being trapped
- The inhabitants of London are trapped in their suffering. This idea is consistently reinforced by Blake using vocabulary relating to entrapment and imprisonment.
- Blake suggests that the poor, in particular, cannot escape their circumstances.
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Church and monarchy
Church and monarchy
- Blake is very critical of the Church and the monarchy. Even though these powerful institutions have a supposed duty to the people of London, they contribute to their oppression rather than relieving it.
- Blake is also critical of these institutions for spending money on buildings and luxuries when there is so much suffering and poverty on their doorstep.
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Impact of industrialisation
Impact of industrialisation
- The reference to chimney sweepers (often young children) reminds readers of the price people paid for urbanisation that resulted from the Industrial Revolution.
- Children – who are meant to be carefree and innocent – are forced to take on responsibilities and endure hardship.
1Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)
2London - William Blake (1757-1827)
3Storm on the Island - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
3.1Storm on the Island Analysis
4Exposure - Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)
5War Photographer - Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955)
5.1War Photographer Analysis
6My Last Duchess - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
7The Prelude - William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
7.1Extract from The Prelude Analysis
8Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred Tennyson
9Bayonet Charge - Ted Hughes (1930-1998)
10Poppies - Jane Weir (Born 1963)
11Tissue - Imtiaz Dharker (Born 1954)
12The Emigree - Carol Rumens (Born 1944)
13Kamikaze - Beatrice Garland (Born 1938)
14Checking Out Me History - John Agard (Born 1949)
14.1Checking Out Me History Analysis
15Remains - Simon Armitage (Born 1963)
16Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons
16.1Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons
Jump to other topics
1Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)
2London - William Blake (1757-1827)
3Storm on the Island - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
3.1Storm on the Island Analysis
4Exposure - Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)
5War Photographer - Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955)
5.1War Photographer Analysis
6My Last Duchess - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
7The Prelude - William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
7.1Extract from The Prelude Analysis
8Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred Tennyson
9Bayonet Charge - Ted Hughes (1930-1998)
10Poppies - Jane Weir (Born 1963)
11Tissue - Imtiaz Dharker (Born 1954)
12The Emigree - Carol Rumens (Born 1944)
13Kamikaze - Beatrice Garland (Born 1938)
14Checking Out Me History - John Agard (Born 1949)
14.1Checking Out Me History Analysis
15Remains - Simon Armitage (Born 1963)
16Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons
16.1Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons
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