Holy Thursday (Experience): Structure & Language Techniques

Structure of the Poem

The poem is composed of three four-line stanzas, also known as quatrains, a common structure in Blake’s poetry.
The regular rhymed quatrains mirror the strict uniformity and enforced discipline of the children described in ‘Holy Thursday’.

Meter and Rhythm

Each line has a regular iambic tetrameter (four iambic feet) which adds to the musical quality of the poem.
The regular rhythm can also symbolize the marching of the children in the procession.

Language and Imagery

Blake uses strong satirical language in ‘Holy Thursday (Experience)’, with the phrase “wailing choir” darkly twisting the idea of innocent children singing in a choir.
Irony is used to question the societal practice of charity, represented by the “babes reduced to misery” and “fed with cold and usurous hand”.
The words “misery”, “cold” and “usurous” emphasize the harsh treatment of these children despite the outward show of charity.
Vivid imagery is used to portray the seeming joy and pomp of the procession of children, such as “flowers of London town” which is contrasted with the bleak reality of their lives.

Use of Symbolism

The beadles are symbolic of the oppressive authorities that used religion and charity as tools to control and suppress the masses.
“Babes” symbolize innocence and vulnerability, representing the children subjected to a harsh system masked by the facade of charity.
“Sun” is a symbol of warmth, hope and enlightenment, yet its absence in the poem highlights the grim and unenlightened state of society.