london

• repetition of 'chartered'


  Blake openly conveys his political views, opposing government control, and linking to the theme of corruption that is included throughout the poem; as the word "chartered" connotates structure and restrictions, Blake introduces the idea that nature itself is restricted, hyperbolically heightening the extent of limitations enforced by the government
• marks of weakness, marks of woe'


  The line only has 7 beats in it, unlike the rest of the poem which has iambic tetrameter (only 8 beats per line) The broken number of beats shows how the inhabitants of London are broken along with their government which is ruining their lives.
• every cry of every man... infant's cry of fear'

  epetition of 'every' and 'cry' develops the sense that Blake's London is a tortuous and agonising place in which to live. The sense that everybody, regardless of age, is living in this dystopian city pervades.
• mind-forged manacles'


  people trapped in every way, even by thoughts and attitudes

  The manacles show how the poor were chained to the bottom also by crippling debt which meant that the poor stayed poor and couldn't move up the social hierarchy.
• every black'ning church appalls'


  The word 'blackening' connotes that the Church is corrupt and immoral

  critique of the church
• chimney-sweeper's cry'


  Emotive image of child labour.
• runs in blood down palace walls'


  Might be a reference to the French Revolution sounds like he thinks ordinary people suffer while those in the Palace are protected behind walls.

  Those who were oppressed under the monarchy and powerful financial interests shed blood. Examples of those harmed and killed by the government are mentioned in the previous three lines
• `I wander thro' each charter'd street


  lexis evokes a sens of loss and aimlessness

  establish + control in society

  evokes a sense of setting

  critical tone
• `Where the charter'd Thamed does flow


  setting established

  control of nature
• `marks of weakness, marks of woe


  lexis evokes melancholic connotations

  despondent + distinctively critical + negative tone
• `in every cry of every man, in every infants cry of fear

  anaphora shows all encompassing nature and how everyone is effected

  lexis of cry --> despair + sad tone
• `And the hapless soldiers sigh runs in blood down Palace walls


  capitalisation displays the objects of his scrutiny

  juxtaposes the most disempowered with those in power

  metonym represents the queen/ royalty

  sighing + crying --> emotive --> symptom's of oppression