Question 1: What is the significance of 'I wander through each chartered street' in terms of the poet's perspective on London? How does the word 'wander' contribute to the tone?

Answer: The word 'wander' suggests a feeling of aimlessness or observation, indicating Blake's detached yet critical view of London's constrained and controlled environment, emphasizing the lack of freedom for its inhabitants.

Question 2: Analyze the line 'Every black'ning Church appalls,' focusing on the imagery and its possible implications about religion or society.

Answer: The 'black'ning Church symbolizes corruption, decay, or hypocrisy within religious institutions, suggesting Blake's critique of societal and spiritual decline.

Question 3: Describe the imagery in 'Runs in blood down Palace walls' and discuss its possible meaning about authority or conflict.

Answer: The blood running down palace walls evokes violence, suffering, and oppression inflicted by those in power, highlighting themes of conflict and the cost of authority.

Question 4: What does the phrase 'Every cry of every man' reveal about the collective experience of London's citizens?

Answer: It emphasizes the universality of suffering and the pervasive sense of despair among the people, suggesting that societal problems affect everyone equally.

Question 1: Quote explosion: Analyze the quote 'In every voice, in every ban,' focusing on the use of alliteration and what it emphasizes.

Answer: The repetition of 'in every' creates a rhythmic emphasis on universality, and the alliteration of 'b' in 'ban' accentuates the suppression and silencing of voices in London, conveying themes of oppression.

Question 2: Identify and explain the use of personification in the line 'The mind-forged manacles I hear.'

Answer: The 'mind-forged manacles' personify mental constraints, suggesting that the limitations on individuals are self-imposed or culturally ingrained, reflecting psychological oppression.

Question 3: Find a metaphor in the poem that depicts societal decay and explain its effect.

Answer: The metaphor 'Runs in blood down Palace walls' depicts violence and decay at the heart of authority, emphasizing the destructive consequences of corruption.

Question 1: How does Blake portray the theme of societal control and oppression in 'London'? Provide specific examples from the poem.

Answer: Blake portrays societal control through imagery of constrained movement ('chartered streets') and mental restriction ('mind-forged manacles'), highlighting systemic oppression and lack of freedom.

Question 2: Compare Blake's depiction of power in 'London' with that in 'Ozymandias.' How do both poems comment on the nature of authority?

Answer: While 'London' depicts the corrupting and oppressive nature of societal power affecting everyday lives, 'Ozymandias' reflects on the fleeting and ultimately futile nature of individual or political power. Both poems critique the abuse and impermanence of authority.

Question 1: Outline key points for comparing how Blake and Shelley depict the nature and effects of power in their poems.

Answer: Both poets explore the corrupting and destructive aspects of power—Blake through societal control and decay, Shelley through the transience of rulers' pride. Blake uses imagery of oppression and mental constraints, while Shelley employs metaphor of broken statues and hubris. Their tones are critical and reflective, warning readers about the abuse of power.

Question 1: Using evidence from the poem, analyze how Blake’s language choices convey his attitude towards London’s social issues and the effect on the reader.

Answer: Blake employs stark imagery, such as 'black'ning Churches' and 'blood' on palace walls, to evoke decay and violence, revealing his critique of institutional corruption and societal suffering. The repetitive structure and powerful metaphors emphasize the pervasive nature of oppression, encouraging the reader to reflect critically on social injustice.