Themes & Structure
English Lit: AQA GCSE Poetry - Power & Conflict, topic 2.1.2
Structure and Form of London
Blake keeps a regular rhythm but changes the focus of the poem to emphasise how never-ending and widespread the suffering is. Blake writes in the form of a dramatic monologue to express his opinions on the suffering:
Regular rhythm and rhyme
- There is a regular ABAB rhyme scheme and four stanzas of four lines each.
- The poem is written in iambic tetrameter (a rigid rhythm). This could echo the never-ending suffering and misery in London.
- The enjambment (sentences flowing over the end of lines) has a similar effect.
Shifting focus
- The first part of the poem describes the deprivation and misery in London.
- The focus shifts in stanza 3 to those who Blake feels are responsible for this (the “black’ning church” and “palace”).
- In the final stanza, the poet emphasises how widespread the problem is. It affects even those who have just been born.
- This further emphasises how inescapable the deprivation is.
Dramatic monologue
- The poem is written in the form of a dramatic monologue.
- The reader gets a strong sense of the speaker’s personal anger and frustration about the pain he sees around him.
Corrupt Institutions
Blake is very critical of the Church and the monarchy because they don't help people's suffering. Blake uses these techniques to portray the Church and monarchy negatively:
Colour imagery
- Colour imagery of “black’ning church” is associated with ideas of corruption and even death.
Metaphor
- “Runs in blood down palace walls”.
- This metaphor emphasises that the monarchy are guilty of living in luxury while doing nothing to alleviate (lessen) the struggles of the city.
Test yourself on Themes & Structure
Changing Focus of London
London is written in the form of a dramatic monologue. What's significant about this?
What structural techniques does Blake use to emphasise the never-ending suffering and misery in London?