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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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