London

• Blake lived in london for most his life and saw inequality and poverty first hand. He thought this was largely due to political situations , lots of his poetry were on political issues
• Blake was anti-monarchy and wanted revolution to remove it and was a christian that rejected organised religion and established churches because he saw it as corrupt and hypocritical
• Blake strongly disagreed that people put money into new buildings whilst the poor starved
• London was published during the 'reign of terror'. The French revolution became an inspiration for many radicals as it was a symbol of how people could seize power from the privileged , The French revolution was what Blake was hoping for in England.
• Blake suggests there is a huge issue with the divide between those in power and those completely void of it .
• The poet emphasises with those who have been hurt most by capitalist structures which cause inequality within society focusing on their misery. The poem has probably been considered revolutionary within his society, as he is attacking the establishment. Overall the immensely negative tone replicates the disillusionment with both the government and the monarchy.
• The repetition of "marks" demonstrates the suffering they have experienced and like the branding of the cattle the citizens are branded to by their experiences and it will never be forgotten unless someone makes a change.
• "mind-forged manacles" - The citizens are trapped in every way possible even through thoughts and attitudes. "manacles"- are associated with slavery and lack of freedom. Blake is suggesting it is their fears and aversions that prevent change as they are physically free but enslaved by concept instead
• The adjective "black'ning" portrays the soot and smoke that polluted every part of London during 1700. The negative connotations is referring to the church , this can perceived as a criticism towards organised religion and its failure to provide for disadvantages members of society. Describing the church as "black'ning" could suggest that it is corrupt or tarnished by its failure to look after other people
• written in first person perspective to make it seem more personal: this is the speakers personal experience of London. Blake tries to put the reader in his shoes to see how corrupt London is , as he speaks so passionately about what he sees and experiences. Additionally Blake uses simple language in an almost conversational tone to make it accessible to all members of society as the poem contains messages everyone should consider.
• cyclical structure- the first and second stanza focus on impact on people, the third explores the source of suffering and the fourth goes back into the impact again. The effect of this is for Blake to suggest suffering until they break the cycle and rebel against society, like they did during the french revolution.
• Blake has used auditory signs of suffering throughout the poem. These include "cry","sigh","curse" and "I hear". Maybe Blake wants the reader to start listening to the signs of suffering around them, as well as listening to his message
• Blake utilises juxtaposing phrases such as "marriage hearse" which contrast connotations of new beginnings, joy and happiness of wedding with the end of life and grief of a hearse. Blake is making a social criticism of how woman , marriage is like death, Their carriage is supposed to be the hearse and they're being sent to a marriage where they would have all their rights and property lost. The new bride is then an object to her husband. This shows marriage is an abuse of power, giving men opportunity to abuse power over their wives.
• "how the chimney-sweepers cry" refers to how children were used for child labour in the Victorian era and was forced by parents to work as they did not make enough money.
• "youthful harlot" - many women were condemned to prostitution just to make a living, as there were fewer jobs available for woman at the time. They were also paid less than men and were only valued on their appearance and sexual fulfilment.