London
Poet
WILLIAM BLAKE
Context
This poem featured in a counterpart anthology titled Songs of Innocence & Experience. The ‘experience’ poems were much more cynical and pessimistic __about his experiences. This poem is set during the industrial revolution,__ when poverty, disease and malnutrition was rife. Also, England was at war with France and women didn’t have any rights.
Plot
The poem takes the reader__ on a journey through the streets of London__. We are presented with appalling sights and experiences which were commonplace to Victorians. He sees both adults and children crying. People lack freedom and are in a state of despondency.
Form
- Four, four-lined stanzas
- Misery
- People refusing to revolt
- Sacrifices for the affluent
- Corruption in family and life
- Regular rhyme scheme
- Consistently alternating ABAB rhythm
Language
- Repetition
- Alliteration
- Metaphor
- Symbols
- Slang
- Oxymoron
Tone
- Anger
- Despair
- Disillusionment
Themes
- Power of humans
- Conflict
- Religion
- Grief