Exploring the poem LONDON by William Blake IDENTIFY

Exploring the poem ‘LONDON’ by William Blake IDENTIFY and ANALYSE key language and structure that creates meaning.

A 02 Analyse the LANGUAGE used by the writer to create meaning and effects, using relevant subject terminology A 03 Show understanding the RELATIONSHIPS between texts and the contexts in which they were written

When you think of ‘London, ’ what images come to mind? Are they positive or negative? Why? What is this? How can this image of London be positive? How can this image of London be negative?

Let’s read the poem First reading of a poem – what is the general meaning and tone of the poem? How do you know this – find a quote to support the tone.

LONDON BY WILLIAM BLAKE I wander thro' each charter'd street, Near where the charter'd Thames does flow. And mark in every face I meet Marks of weakness, marks of woe. In every cry of every Man, In every Infants cry of fear, In every voice: in every ban, The mind-forg'd manacles I hear How the Chimney-sweepers cry Every blackning 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 new-born Infants tear And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse

Second reading of the poem • Now we need to focus on our understanding in more depth. We will analyse the first stanza together. • Next, in pairs you will be given a stanza each to try to analyse meaning.

Thames is what? River should be free, as nature but again what does the word charter’d suggest again? Anyone know the technique (A 02) for repeating this word? Stanza 1 ‘wander’ what does this suggest? ‘charter’d’ means mapped out and structured – how does this contrast to wander? I wander thro’ each charter’d street, Near where the charter’d Thames does flow, And mark in every face I meet, Marks of weaknesses, marks of woe. What can he see about the people of London? What does ‘mark’ mean? Can be more than one meaning to this word.

We are going to look at the poem ‘London’ by William Blake A 03 – context of the poem in relation to the poet: • Born, raised and spent his whole life in London. • Often spent whole days just walking around London as he was fascinated by the people. • During his lifetime, England was always at war. • Poem is in book of poems called ‘Songs of experience, ’ written in 1794 – 18 th century. • At the time, London was centre of the British Empire and the richest city in the world. • It was also known for extreme poverty. • 50, 000 child prostitutes in London at this time. • Over 80, 000 young boys worked as chimney sweeps – often Orphans. Would often die on the job or become very ill. • Blake believes in God but is a critic of organised religion.

Your turn to analyse – use these help points: In every cry of every Man, In every Infant’s cry of fear, In every voice, in every ban, The mind-forg’d manacles I hear. q q q Why repetition of ‘every’? Why are the Infant’s crying? What does ban mean? *Manacles – image of slavery * Mind-forg’d – people have made themselves slaves in their own minds – what does this suggest about the people? How the Chimney-sweeper’s cry Every black’ning Church appals; And the hapless Soldier’s sigh Runs in blood down Palace walls. q Why do the Chimney sweeper’s cry? q Metaphor – black’ning church – not really black so what does this suggest about the church? q *Hapless – helpless – in the third and fourth line, why is the Palace response for the soldiers? Why are the soldiers helpless? But most thro’ midnight streets I hear Why midnight? Why is this an important time? How the youthful Harlot’s curse *Harlot – child prostitute. Line 2 and 3 Blasts the new born Infant’s tear. Children having children- why is the worst And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse. suffering in London? *Blights – damages/stains. *Hearse – symbol of death. Oxymoron- marriage hearse – why does he like marriage to death?

Plenary – third reading ü We have understood the poem – A 01 ü We have looked at the language and techniques – A 02 – can we go through again and spot any other techniques – ABAB rhyme scheme – set order – why? ü Now go through again and highlight A 03 – anything that shows clearly what London was like in the 18 th century.