London

London

by William Blake

I wander thro’ every chartered street,
Near where the chartered Thames does flow.
And mark in every face I meet
Marks of weakness, marks of woe.

In every cry of every man,
In every infant’s cry of fear,
In every voice, in every cry,
The mind-forg’d manacles I hear.

How the chimney-sweepers cry
Every blackening church appalls,
And the hapless soldiers sigh
Runs in blood down palace walls.

But most thro’ midnight streets I hear
How the youthful harlots curse
Blasts the newborn infant’s tear
And blights with plagues the marriage hearse.

Summary of London

• Popularity of “London” William Blake, a prominent figure of the Romantic era, penned “London” as part of his collection Songs of Experience, published in 1794. The poem is a powerful critique of the social and moral conditions prevalent in London during the early stages of industrialization. It is a stark portrayal of suffering and oppression, exploring themes of poverty, injustice, and the loss of innocence.
• “London” as a Representative of Sorrow The poem unfolds as a journey through the streets of London, narrated by a speaker deeply affected by the suffering he witnesses. He observes the weariness and despair etched on every face, hearing the cries of the oppressed in every corner of the city. Blake doesn’t just present physical hardship; he illustrates the psychological impact of societal structures. The chartered river and streets symbolize a controlled, restrictive environment where even nature is dominated. The poem culminates in a chilling image of a harlot’s curse impacting a newborn infant, highlighting the cyclical nature of suffering and the destruction of hope.
• Major Themes in “London” The poem grapples with several critical themes. Industrialization and its consequences are central, showcasing the exploitation of labor and the degradation of human life. Poverty and its pervasive effects on individuals and society are vividly depicted. The poem also examines the hypocrisy of institutions like the Church and the military, which contribute to, rather than alleviate, the suffering. Finally, the loss of innocence and the corruption of natural life are poignant themes throughout the work.

Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “London”

William Blake masterfully employs a range of literary devices to amplify the poem’s emotional impact and convey its complex themes. These tools allow him to create vivid imagery, establish a haunting rhythm, and deepen the reader’s understanding of the poem’s message.

1. Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds creates a musical effect and emphasizes certain words or phrases. Notice the prevalence of the short “e” sound in lines such as “Near where the chartered Thames does flow,” drawing attention to the restrictive nature of the environment.
2. Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds adds texture and reinforces meaning. The repetition of the “s” sound in “Marks of weakness, marks of woe,” creates a hissing sound, evoking a sense of suffering and despair.
3. Alliteration: The close repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words creates a memorable effect. For example, “hapless soldiers sigh” emphasizes the soldiers’ suffering and helplessness.
4. Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next creates a sense of flow and urgency. This is particularly effective in the final stanza:
   

   “But most thro’ midnight streets I hear
   How the youthful harlots curse
   Blasts the newborn infant’s tear
   And blights with plagues the marriage hearse.”

   The enjambment mirrors the relentless, inescapable nature of suffering, as one consequence bleeds into another.

5. Imagery: Blake’s poem is rich in vivid imagery that appeals to the senses. “I wander thro’ every chartered street” immediately establishes a visual setting, while “How the chimney-sweepers cry” evokes a haunting auditory image. “Runs in blood down palace walls” is a particularly shocking image that highlights the brutality and injustice of the era.
6. Symbolism: Blake utilizes symbolism to convey deeper meanings. The “chartered Thames” and “chartered streets” symbolize the control and restriction imposed by societal structures. The “chimney-sweepers” represent the exploitation of child labor and the loss of innocence. The “soldiers’ sigh” symbolizes the frustration, loss, and futility of war.
7. Metaphor: The most striking metaphor in the poem is “The mind-forg’d manacles I hear.” This suggests that the true chains binding the people of London are not physical, but mental and spiritual – the oppressive ideas and beliefs that keep them in a state of suffering.
8. Anaphora: The repetition of “In every…” at the beginning of several lines (“In every cry of every man, / In every infant’s cry of fear, / In every voice, in every cry”) creates a powerful rhythmic effect and emphasizes the pervasiveness of suffering. It underscores that no one is untouched by the city’s woes.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “London”

Beyond literary devices, Blake expertly utilizes poetic devices to craft a compelling and emotionally resonant poem. These elements contribute to the poem’s structure, rhythm, and overall aesthetic effect.

1. Stanza: The poem is composed of four stanzas, each containing four lines, creating a sense of order and balance.
2. Quatrain: Each stanza is a quatrain, a four-line stanza, which is a common form in English poetry.
3. Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows an ABAB rhyme scheme throughout all four stanzas. This consistent rhyme scheme contributes to the poem’s musicality and creates a sense of closure within each stanza.
4. End Rhyme: The use of end rhyme, where the last words of lines rhyme, enhances the poem’s lyrical quality. Examples include “flow/woe,” “fear/hear,” and “curse/hearse.”

Quotes to be Used

The lines stated below are particularly effective for illustrating the pervasiveness of suffering and the oppressive forces at play in London.

“In every cry of every man,
In every infant’s cry of fear,
In every voice, in every cry,
The mind-forg’d manacles I hear.”

This quote encapsulates the poem’s central message: that true oppression lies not in physical chains, but in the restrictive beliefs and ideas that bind the human spirit.