London

London by William Blake

What is the poem about? The narrator is describing a walk around the city of London. He says that everywhere he goes, the people he meets are affected by misery and despair. This misery seems relentless. No one can escape it- not even the young and innocent. People in power seem to be behind the problems, and no nothing to help the people in need.

Context: London was published in 1794. William Blake was an English poet and artist who held quite radical social and political views for the time- he believed in social and racial equality and questioned Church teachings.

Form: This is a dramatic monologue- the first-person narrator speaks passionately and personally about the suffering he sees. The regular rhythm could reflect the sound of his feet as he…