Holy Thursday (Innocence): Poet & Context

William Blake as the Poet

William Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker known for his expressive symbolism and mysticism.
He was an early critic of institutionalised religion, reflected in his Songs of Innocence and Experience.
Blake was fairly unknown in his lifetime but is now considered a seminal figure in Romantic literature.

Context of “Holy Thursday (Innocence)”

“Holy Thursday” in the Songs of Innocence is not about the religious tradition of Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) but rather refers to Ascension Day, an English celebration and public holiday when parishes would hold processions/orphanage charity events.
The “beadles” mentioned in the poem were Church-appointed parish officers responsible for maintaining order.
At the time Blake wrote “Holy Thursday”, child labour was prevalent, largely unchecked by laws or public sentiment, another theme that underpins some of Blake’s works.
It is important to read and compare this poem to its counterpart in Songs of Experience, as they provide contrasting perspectives on the same event.

Themes in “Holy Thursday (Innocence)”

Innocence vs Experience: The ‘Holy Thursday’ of Innocence depicts a colourful procession of children, reflecting Blake’s belief in the innocence and purity of childhood.
Church and Society: The depiction of Church and the beadles reveals Blake’s critique of institutions that control and exploit the innocent.
Childhood and Society: The poem highlights societal treatment of children, specifically orphans. It poses a challenge to the society’s hypocrisy of celebrating these ‘flowers of London town’ once a year while ignoring their plight the rest of the time.

Please note that this is a brief and not exhaustive content, and it may be necessary to read the poem and relevant research materials in full for a comprehensive understanding.