The Clod and the Pebble: Structure & Language Techniques

Structure

“The Clod and the Pebble” is composed of three stanzas, each with four lines, following the ABAB rhyme scheme. This structure could symbolize the balance in the world: the contrast between innocence and experience.
The two clear halves in this poem correspond to the two contrasted perspectives: the Clod (representing innocence) and the Pebble (representing experience).
The first and third stanzas hold mirrored language, framing the Pebble’s statement. This reinforces the contrast between the selfless love of the Clod and the self-interested love of the Pebble.

The use of personification creates characters out of the clod and the pebble, providing an engaging allegory that contrasts innocence and experience.
Blake uses metaphor to represent concepts of love: The Clod is a symbol of selfless love, trodden on but still loving; while the Pebble, hard and solitary in the brook, embodies selfish love.
Blake employs alliteration and assonance to guide the flow and rhythm of the poem, enhancing its musicality. For example, ‘Clod of Clay’ (alliteration) and ‘heavenly face’ (assonance).
The use of tactile and auditory imagery enhances the contrast. The Clod is described as being “trodden with cattle’s feet” (tactile) whereas the Pebble “sang” its song (auditory).
The concept of love is central to this poem, becoming almost a motif. The poem contrasts the selfless love of the Clod which “builds a Heaven in Hell’s despair” with the selfish love of the Pebble that “builds a Hell in Heaven’s despite”.
The last word of the poem is “despite”, used as a transitive verb in an archaic form. This leaves us with a bitter taste, highlighting the Pebble’s arrogance and defiance, thus concluding the poem with an emphasis on experience over innocence.