Question 1: Briefly explain the historical and social context of William Blake's 'London'. Why do you think Blake wrote this poem?

Answer: William Blake wrote 'London' during the late 18th or early 19th century, a time of rapid urbanization and social inequality. Blake aimed to criticize the oppressive social conditions and the exploitation faced by the poor and vulnerable in London.

Question 1: Analyze the line: 'I wander through each chartered street, / Near where the chartered Thames does flow.' What does Blake suggest about the city and its influence?

Answer: Blake highlights how even natural features like the Thames are 'chartered' or controlled, symbolizing the restriction and commercialization of life in London, reflecting themes of control and loss of natural freedom.

Question 2: Examine the stanza describing the 'black'ning church and the 'soldier's sigh.' What social issues are Blake addressing?

Answer: Blake criticizes institutional corruption and the suffering caused by war and social injustice, emphasizing moral decay and the toll on individuals.

Question 1: Quote explosion: 'Every black'ning church appalls.' Analyze the significance of 'black'ning' and its connotations.

Answer: The word 'black'ning' suggests moral and spiritual corruption, with the church losing its purity and moral authority. It emphasizes Blake's critique of religious institutions being complicit in societal decay.

Question 2: Identify and explain the use of personification in the phrase: 'Runs in blood down Palace walls.'

Answer: The phrase personifies blood as something that 'runs,' emphasizing violence and suffering, possibly linked to political oppression and conflict symbolized by the Palace.

Question 3: Find a metaphor in the poem that illustrates social inequality and discuss its effect on the reader.

Answer: The metaphor of the 'mind-forged manacles' illustrates how societal oppression is internalized, constraining individuals' freedom and highlighting the psychological impact of social injustice.

Question 1: Describe how the theme of power is conveyed in the poem. Use specific examples.

Answer: Power is depicted as oppressive and pervasive, seen in the 'chartered' streets and the monarchy's influence, which Blake criticizes as corrupt and exploitative.

Question 2: Discuss the theme of despair and its impact on the individual and society as depicted in the poem.

Answer: Despair is shown through images of suffering and despairing figures, suggesting a society burdened by inequality and moral decay, affecting both individuals and the collective.

Question 3: How does Blake portray social injustice in the poem? Provide examples.

Answer: Blake depicts social injustice through references to the 'marks of weakness' and 'woe,' and the suffering of children and workers, criticizing the societal systems that perpetuate inequality.

Question 1: Outline key points for comparing the portrayal of power in 'London' and 'Ozymandias'. Consider language, tone, and message.

Answer: Both poems depict the corrupting and destructive nature of power. Blake shows how societal and institutional power oppresses individuals, using imagery of restriction and suffering. Shelley's 'Ozymandias' illustrates the arrogance of rulers and the inevitable decline of their legacy through the ruined statue and desolate desert. Both highlight the transient and destructive aspects of power, but 'London' emphasizes social suffering, while 'Ozymandias' reflects on hubris and impermanence.