London

Who wrote London and why?

• William Blake

• Wrote during the Industrial Revolution

• Criticised government, church, and monarchy

• Believed society oppressed ordinary people

Main Themes

• abuse of power

• Control and oppression

• Suffering of the poor

• Loss of freedom

• Corruption in government and church

Overall message

• people are trapped by laws and ideas

• Society is broken and unfair

• Those in power cause suffering

Structure

• 4 regular quatrains (4 lines each)

• ABAB rhyme scheme (sounds controlled)

• Mirrors how society is restricted and trapped

• Repetition show inescapable suffering

3 key quotes

• “Mind-forged manacles”

• “Marks of weakness, marks of woe”

• “Blood down palace walls”

“Mind-forged manacles”

• metaphor for mental imprisonment

• People are controlled by ideas and laws

• Power works psychologically, not just physically

“Marks of weakness, marks of woe”

• Repetition of “marks” = suffering everywhere

• Poverty is visible and unavoidable

• Shows the impact of power on ordinary people

“Blood down palace walls”

• palace = monarchy/government

• Suggest rulers are responsible for violence

• Possible reference to war or revolution

• Very direct criticism of power

Comparisons

• Ozymandius - abuse of power

• Remains - damaged cause by systems of power

• Checking me out history - control and oppression