ByWILLIAM BLAKE1757–1827 Michael Houle-Craig

London

“To see the world in a grain of sand, and to see heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hands, and eternity in an hour.”

-- William Blake

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xgd5jt_william-blake-london_creation

Blake’s History Blake was born in London England (1757) Born into a working class family Family had strong nonconformist beliefs Served a 5 year apprenticeship, to be an engraver Entered the Royal Academy Schools as an engraver at 22

years of age Blake married in 1782, to Catherine Boucher He opened a print shop in 1784 1787 his brother (Robert) past away from tuberculosis In 1787 Blake also discovered his own method of engraving

called "relief etching“, which was a starting point for a huge career opportunity.

Blake lived through the industrial revolution of London (1812-1820)

William Blake died in the year of 1827

Meaning This poem by Blake is the after

affects of the industrial revolution in London England (1812-1820).

It shows that misery in the streets and the dreary world of London England

First Stanza: Structure: ABAB Four line stanza. First and third lines rhyme, as well as the

second and forth.   Techniques: Alliteration -(“ch” sounds)   Meaning: Dirty streets, distress and misery reflected in

the people.

Second Stanza: Structure: CDCD Four line stanza again, same as last. First and third lines rhyme, as well as the second

and forth.   Techniques: Diction -(“every”) there no one person that is not

negatively affected by the industrialization.   Meaning: Everyone is affected by the change in society.

Third Stanza: Structure: EFEF Four line stanza once again First and third lines rhyme, as well as the second and forth.   Techniques: Paradox -(destruction and religion in the same stanza) Symbolism -(“Chimmney-sweeper’s” society trying to clean

itself up), (“black’ning Church” symbolizes loss of innocence)   Meaning: The mess in the streets of London England. The Chimmney-

sweepers cleaning up the mess of the past generation. The Churches were one of the worst for using the children to clean the chimneys.

Fourth Stanza: Structure: GHGH Four line stanza. First and third lines rhyme, as well as the second and forth.   Techniques: Symbolism -(plague symbolizes the curse set upon

London) Paradox -(Marriage and hearse)   Meaning: The deeds of the past generation will affect the next

generation and how the next generation will have to work hard to fix the messed up London.

Techniques Alliteration

• “ch”, “s”, “t” sounds Imagery

• “Blood down the palace walls” (3rd stanza) Diction

• “Charter’d” (1st stanza) and “every” (2nd stanza) Paradox

• Usage of the destruction and religion ideas in the 3rd stanza. Symbolism

• Repeats “every” in the second stanza in this poem, symbolizing that there is no one individual that does not suffer from the effects of the revolution.

Sources Cited http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xgd5jt_william-blake-london_creation http://thecloisters.org/toah/hd/blke/hd_blke.htm Blake’s Poetry and Designs, Norton Critical Edition, edited by Mart Lynn

Johnson and John E. Grant http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/blke/hd_blke.htm