London

• Who is the author of the poem "London"?

  William Blake
• What does the speaker do in the poem "London"?

  The speaker wanders through the streets
• What does the speaker observe in the faces of the people?

  Despair and weakness
• Which institutions does Blake criticize in "London"?

  The church, monarchy, and government
• What does the repetition of "charter'd" suggest?

  London is owned and rights are robbed
• What does the repetition of "every" in stanza two imply?

  The enormity of poverty affects all ages
• What does "black’ning Church" imply about the church's role?

  The church is corrupt and failing the poor
• What does "Runs in blood down Palace walls" suggest?

  The monarchy is responsible for soldiers' deaths
• What does the phrase "blights with plagues" imply?

  Destruction of goodness and decay
• What is the context of the poem "London"?

  • Part of 'Songs of Innocence and Experience'
  • Reflects negative aspects of life
  • Written during the Victorian era
  • Time of poverty and industrial change
• How does Blake use structure in "London"?

  • Uses repetition to show cycle of poverty
  • Begins with observation, progresses to anger
  • Ends negatively with implications of death
• What does the term "mind-forg'd manacles" imply?

  Emotional and social trapping of people
• What does Blake criticize about child labor in London?

  Children are exploited for dangerous jobs
• What does the adjective "youthful" imply about "Harlots"?

  Young women resort to desperate measures
• What does the word "curse" suggest about the youthful harlots?

  They are punished by their circumstances
• What is the meaning of "hearse" in the poem?

  A funeral carriage
• What tone does Blake create with the oxymoron at the end of "London"?

  An ominous tone suggesting no happy endings
• What themes are explored in "London"?

  • Welfare and living conditions
  • Power and control
  • Links to "Hawk Roosting" and "Ozymandias"