lecture recording on 05 March 2025 at 18.44.53 PM

Transition from Poetry to Realism

• Conversation about upcoming literature after poetry.

• Mentioned works: "The Death of Ivan Ilyich," "Hedda Gabler," "The Dead End," and "The Metamorphosis."

• Transition from previous discussions on William Blake.

William Blake's Themes

• Blake's focus on inequality and social justice.

• His call for accessible poetry; metaphorically compares it to song lyrics.

• Selected Poems to Read:

  • "The Lamb"

  • "Holy Thursday"

  • "The Chimney Sweeper" (from Songs of Innocence)

  • "The Chimney Sweeper" (from Songs of Experience)

Discussion of "The Lamb"

• Main Idea: Asks who created the lamb; a symbol of innocence and divinity.

• Parallel drawn between the lamb and Jesus; both seen as meek and mild.

• Double meaning of 'lamb' as both Jesus and children.

Exploration of "Holy Thursday"

• Context: Celebrated 40 days after Easter, a day marking Jesus' ascension.

• Describes children from charity schools marching to church, symbolizing purity.

• Contrast between children’s innocence and societal issues such as poverty.

• Emphasis on the responsibility of society to care for these children; critique of adults' indifference.

Analysis of "The Chimney Sweeper" (Innocence)

• Narrative Background: The speaker reflects on his mother’s death and being sold by his father.

• Physical depiction of chimney sweeps; metaphor of 'coffins of black.'

• Dream of angel freeing them represents hope and innocence.

Contrast with "The Chimney Sweeper" (Experience)

• Main Themes: Explores the grim reality versus naive perceptions of happiness.

• Child's experience of misery juxtaposed with their outward behavior.

• Critique of societal and parental neglect; emphasis on the need for compassion.

Songs of Innocence vs. Songs of Experience

• Innocence: Conveys hope, divine intervention, and child-like purity.

• Experience: Depicts harsh realities, adult responsibilities, and moral failures of society.

• Notable themes of neglect in the latter versus the hopeful innocence of the former.

Emily Dickinson's Works

• Transition from Blake to Emily Dickinson; different tone and focus on nature.

• Selected Poems for Study:

  • Poem 303: "The Soul Selects Her Own Society"

  • Poem 435: "Much Madness is Divinest Sense"

  • Poem 465: "I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died"

  • Poem 712: "I Could Not Stop for Death"

Themes in Dickinson's Work

• Poem 303: Independence from social norms; choosing one's own company.

• Poem 435: Critique of societal madness versus valiant sense; questioning the majority's perspective.

• Poem 465: Insight into death's inevitability; the presence of the fly symbolizes the mundane against a monumental event.

• Poem 712: Personification of death; portrays death as a gentle, unavoidable companion.

Overview of Upcoming Literature

• Mention of realism in literature through works of Tolstoy and Ibsen.

• The Death of Ivan Ilyich: Explores themes of death and existential reflection.

• Hedda Gabler: Follows the complexities of human emotions and societal expectations.

• Encouragement to start reading before spring break; focus on character development and thematic depth.