London

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  • Created by: EthanGct
  • Created on: 17-06-20 13:39
Who wrote London and when was he born?
William Blake was a poet and artist born in 1757. He believed in gender equality and taught his wife how to read and write.
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What is the message behind this poem?
Blake was fed up with London in the 18th century. He saw it as corrupted by greed and inequality, and he sought to express this through his poems, in which he used simple terms so that all could understand his message
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What does the word "Chartered" mean and how is it used in the poem?
The poem begins saying the streets were chartered. This means that they were owned by a single man. It then says the river Thames is chartered, which by nature is impossible. But this emphasises the complete power which those in nobility hold
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Why are newborns mentioned within the poem and what effect do they have on the reader?
"every infant's cry of fear" and "new-born infant's tear" are both scenes of suffering for what should be completely innocent. It foreshadows the inevitable misery of a commoner's life
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How has the French Revolution influenced this poem?
The French Revolution proved Blake's ideals were possible and created an environment which deeply contrasted that of London. This may have driven Blake's desire to spread his vision through this poem.
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How are structural techniques used to good effect?
The poem roughly follows an iambic tetrameter, however it breaks away at the end of the first paragraph to say "Marks of weakness, marks of woe". This could suggest that if the people can break free from the fixed pattern, they can be rid of the mark
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Blake was fed up with London in the 18th century. He saw it as corrupted by greed and inequality, and he sought to express this through his poems, in which he used simple terms so that all could understand his message

Back

What is the message behind this poem?

Card 3

Front

The poem begins saying the streets were chartered. This means that they were owned by a single man. It then says the river Thames is chartered, which by nature is impossible. But this emphasises the complete power which those in nobility hold

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

"every infant's cry of fear" and "new-born infant's tear" are both scenes of suffering for what should be completely innocent. It foreshadows the inevitable misery of a commoner's life

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

The French Revolution proved Blake's ideals were possible and created an environment which deeply contrasted that of London. This may have driven Blake's desire to spread his vision through this poem.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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