Infant Sorrow
By William Blake
My mother groaned! my father wept.
Into the dangerous world I leapt:
Helpless, naked, piping loud;
Like a fiend hid in a cloud.Struggling in my father’s hands:
Striving against my swaddling bands:
Bound and weary I thought best
To sulk upon my mother’s breast.
Summary of “Infant Sorrow”
William Blake’s “Infant Sorrow” is a deceptively simple poem published in his 1794 collection, Songs of Experience. It contrasts with an earlier poem on the same subject from Songs of Innocence, offering a more complex and darker perspective on birth and early infancy. The poem is remarkable for being narrated from the perspective of the newborn child, a unique and powerful choice.
“Infant Sorrow” depicts the child’s immediate experience of entering the world, not as one of pure joy but as a disruption. The child acknowledges the pain caused to his parents—his mother’s groans and his father’s tears—yet frames his arrival as a somewhat forceful and even mischievous act. The poem explores themes of vulnerability, constraint, and the search for comfort, presenting a surprisingly nuanced view of early human experience.
Key Takeaways
- Unique Perspective: The poem’s most striking feature is its first-person narration by the infant, giving voice to a perspective rarely explored in poetry.
- Complexity of Birth: Blake challenges idealized notions of birth and infancy, presenting it as a potentially painful and disorienting experience for all involved.
- The Search for Comfort: Despite the initial struggle, the poem concludes with the child finding solace in his mother’s embrace, highlighting the fundamental human need for comfort and security.
In-Depth Analysis of “Infant Sorrow”
The Opening Lines and Initial Discomfort
The poem immediately establishes a sense of disruption with the lines: “My mother groaned! my father wept / Into the dangerous world I leapt.” This is not a gentle entrance into a welcoming world but a forceful arrival marked by parental suffering. The word “leapt” suggests an almost aggressive action on the child’s part, hinting at a willful, even mischievous, entry into existence. The use of “dangerous” immediately establishes a tone of apprehension and vulnerability. The child acknowledges the cost of his birth but does not necessarily express remorse. This establishes a complex emotional landscape right from the start.
Vulnerability and Physicality
The following lines, “Helpless, naked, piping loud,” emphasize the child’s utter vulnerability. The adjectives “helpless” and “naked” strip away any romantic notions of infancy, presenting the raw physicality of a newborn. The phrase “piping loud” is interesting—it suggests a primal, instinctual cry, perhaps a protest against the discomfort and disorientation of being brought into the world. This isn’t a delicate coo; it’s a demanding sound, asserting the child’s presence even in his helplessness.
The “Fiend” Image and Ambiguous Self-Perception
The most striking and often discussed image in the poem is the comparison of the child to a “fiend hid in a cloud.” This is not a literal claim of evil but rather a metaphorical expression of the child’s untamed, primal nature. The “cloud” suggests something mysterious, undefined, and potentially threatening. The child, in his newness, is a force of nature, possessing an energy that is both powerful and unpredictable. It’s important to note that the child compares himself to a fiend, not that someone else describes him as such. This suggests a nascent self-awareness and a complex understanding of his own nature.
Struggle and Constraint
The second stanza details the child’s physical struggle: “Struggling in my father’s hands: / Striving against my swaddling bands.” These lines highlight the constraints imposed upon the newborn—the physical handling by his father and the restrictive swaddling bands. This struggle can be interpreted as a symbolic representation of the challenges of entering into a world with established structures and expectations. The child’s “striving” suggests a resistance to these constraints, a desire for freedom and autonomy. The verbs “struggling” and “striving” emphasize the active nature of the child, even in his infancy.
Finding Solace on the Mother’s Breast
The poem concludes with a shift in tone and imagery: “Bound and weary I thought best / To sulk upon my mother’s breast.” After the struggle and exertion, the child finds solace in his mother’s embrace. The word “sulk” is particularly intriguing. It suggests a petulant, almost willful act, but also a profound need for comfort and security. “Sulk” implies a degree of emotional complexity, suggesting that even an infant is capable of expressing dissatisfaction and seeking reassurance. The mother’s breast represents a source of nourishment, warmth, and unconditional love, providing a sanctuary from the “dangerous world.” This final image offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that even in the face of hardship, comfort and security can be found.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “Infant Sorrow”
Asyndeton
Blake skillfully employs asyndeton—the omission of conjunctions—to create a sense of immediacy and breathlessness. This is evident in the line “Helpless, naked, piping loud,” where the lack of conjunctions creates a rapid, fragmented rhythm, mirroring the chaotic experience of birth.
Assonance and Consonance
The poem is rich in assonance (repetition of vowel sounds) and consonance (repetition of consonant sounds). For instance, the repetition of the “o” sound in “My mother groaned! my father wept” creates a mournful, echoing effect. Similarly, the repetition of the “l” and “p” sounds in “Helpless, naked, piping loud” contributes to the poem’s musicality and emphasizes the physical sensations of the newborn.
Imagery
Blake utilizes vivid imagery to create a powerful sensory experience for the reader. The images of the “fiend hid in a cloud,” the “swaddling bands,” and the “mother’s breast” are all strikingly evocative, creating a memorable and emotionally resonant portrait of infancy.
Simile
The simile “Like a fiend hid in a cloud” is central to the poem’s interpretation, allowing Blake to explore the ambiguous and potentially unsettling nature of infancy.
Symbolism
Several elements in the poem function symbolically. The “world” represents the challenges and dangers of existence. “Nakedness” symbolizes vulnerability and innocence. The “fiend” represents primal energy and untamed instinct. The “cloud” suggests mystery and the unknown. The “mother’s breast” symbolizes comfort, nourishment, and unconditional love.
Poetic Form and Structure
“Infant Sorrow” is composed of two quatrains (four-line stanzas) with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This simple and traditional form provides a framework for Blake’s complex and unconventional ideas. The regular rhyme scheme and rhythm contribute to the poem’s musicality and memorability. The use of concise stanzas mirrors the brevity and intensity of the infant’s experience.
Concluding Thoughts
“Infant Sorrow” is a deceptively simple poem that offers a profound and unsettling exploration of birth, infancy, and the human condition. Through the unique perspective of the newborn child, Blake challenges idealized notions of innocence and presents a more complex and nuanced portrait of early experience. The poem’s powerful imagery, evocative language, and skillful use of literary devices make it a lasting and compelling work of art. It invites readers to reflect on the vulnerability, struggle, and ultimate search for comfort that are inherent in the human journey.