Question 1: Briefly describe the historical context of William Blake's 'London'. How might this influence the themes in the poem?

Answer: Blake wrote during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a time of social upheaval and industrialization, which influenced his critique of urban poverty, oppression, and moral decay.

Question 1: Identify and explain how Blake presents the theme of 'oppression' in the poem. Refer to specific lines.

Answer: Blake depicts oppression through phrases like 'Runs in blood down Palace walls', illustrating the violence and suffering inflicted by societal and political authorities.

Question 2: Analyze the significance of the repeated phrase 'In every' in the poem. What effect does this repetition have on the reader's understanding of societal issues?

Answer: The repetition emphasizes the pervasive nature of suffering and corruption throughout London, creating a sense of endless despair and societal decay.

Question 3: Discuss how the theme of 'loss of innocence' is conveyed in the poem. Use specific examples.

Answer: Blake shows loss of innocence through imagery like 'Marks of weakness, marks of woe', indicating moral and social decline affecting all levels of society.

Question 4: Compare the theme of 'power and oppression' in 'London' with that in 'Ozymandias'. How are similar ideas conveyed differently?

Answer: Both poems depict the corrupting influence of power; Blake criticizes societal oppression through vivid imagery of suffering, while Shelley depicts the arrogance of Ozymandias' statue as a symbol of lost power, highlighting the transient nature of human authority.

Question 1: Identify and analyze the metaphor in the line 'Chartered Thames does flow'. What is Blake suggesting about control and nature?

Answer: The metaphor suggests that even natural elements like the Thames are subject to societal control and commercial exploitation, reflecting a loss of natural freedom.

Question 2: Find and explain an example of personification in the poem. How does this enhance the poem's message?

Answer: Personification appears in 'mind-forged manacles', implying that societal constraints are self-imposed, emphasizing the psychological impact of oppression.

Question 3: Quote explosion: Analyze the phrase 'Runs in blood down Palace walls'. What does this imagery reveal about the poem's attitude towards authority?

Answer: This vivid imagery suggests violence and suffering inflicted by those in power, portraying authority as brutal and destructive.

Question 1: Select a quote that illustrates Blake’s view on societal corruption and explain its significance.

Answer: Example quote: 'Every black'—Blake uses this to symbolize moral darkness and corruption pervading society, emphasizing the widespread nature of moral decay.

Question 1: Outline the key points you would include in an essay analyzing Blake's portrayal of urban decay and societal suffering.

Answer: Points should include: use of bleak imagery ('mind-forged manacles'), repetition to emphasize ongoing oppression, contrasting the beauty of natural elements with the ugliness of societal corruption, and Blake's intentions to critique social injustice and inspire reform.