Question 1: What is the overall tone conveyed in the opening line: 'I wander thro' each charter'd street'?

Answer: The tone suggests a sense of wandering or searching, possibly conveying feelings of confinement or observation within a controlled environment.

Question 2: Identify and explain the significance of the phrase 'charter'd street'. What does it suggest about the city?

Answer: It indicates that the streets are mapped and controlled, highlighting themes of restriction and lack of freedom in London.

Question 3: Quote explosion: Analyze the line 'Marks of weakness, marks of woe'. What does this suggest about the people in London?

Answer: The repetition of 'marks' emphasizes visible signs of suffering and hardship among the people, suggesting widespread misery and social injustice.

Question 4: How does Blake use imagery in the line 'In every cry of every man, In every infants cry of fear' to evoke empathy?

Answer: The imagery of crying and fear highlights the suffering of individuals, making the reader empathize with their plight and the pervasive despair.

Question 5: Identify a simile used in the poem and discuss its effect.

Answer: An example is 'Runs in blood down Palace walls,' which uses vivid imagery to suggest violence and oppression associated with authority figures.

Question 6: Quote explosion: Examine the phrase 'The mind-forged manacles'. What does Blake imply about societal constraints?

Answer: The phrase suggests that mental barriers or self-imposed limitations, created by societal oppression, restrict individuals' freedom and thinking.

Question 7: Describe how Blake presents the theme of societal oppression in the final stanza.

Answer: He depicts the 'chimney-sweepers' and 'soldiers' as victims of oppression, emphasizing the cyclical nature of suffering and the impact of societal structures.

Question 8: Compare Blake's portrayal of power in 'London' with that in 'Ozymandias'. How are the themes similar or different?

Answer: Both poems critique the abuse of power; 'London' shows systemic societal control and suffering, while 'Ozymandias' depicts the fleeting nature of personal power and pride. The former suggests ongoing oppression, the latter a warning about hubris and impermanence.

Question 9: Identify and analyze the effect of the word 'blasts' in the line 'And blights with plagues the marriage hearse'.

Answer: The word 'blights' conveys destruction and decay, emphasizing the destructive impact of societal and moral corruption on both personal and communal levels.

Question 10: Plan an extended paragraph: How does Blake use structure and line length to emphasize the poem's themes?

Answer: Students should discuss how the irregular line lengths and enjambment create a feeling of chaos and unrest, mirroring the disorder and suffering in London. The consistent rhyme scheme and rhythmic patterns reinforce the cyclical nature of oppression.