AO1

• Blake explores the theme of authoritarian abuses of power in his poem which is set in the capital of (arguably) the most important country in the world at the time: London. Blake was a hopeful poet who tried to use his talent at writing to motivate change. Maybe he hoped that readers of “London” would consider their own impact on the run down state of the city, and potentially how they could help improve it.
• He suggests there is a huge issue with the divide between those in power and those completely void of it, relating to the huge wealth disparity affecting Georgian England. The simplistic structure of four regular stanzas following an alternate rhyme scheme contrasts the complex, seemingly unending issues which Blake sets forth in his work.
• The poet emphasises with those who have been hurt most by the capitalist structures which cause inequality within society, focusing on their misery. The poem would probably have been considered revolutionary within his society, as he is attacking the ‘establishment’. Overall, he employs an immensely negative tone, which replicates his own disillusionment with both the government and the monarchy, as well as the Church.