Knowt
Misguided/Blinded Society in Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience
Misguided/blinded society
Blake is clear on his opinions surrounding society; he believes them to be misled by the institution, but their own willing ignorance only allows this cycle to repeat, over and over again in a cyclical hell. He shows understanding for those suffering, especially children, but criticises people for being blind to what Blake sees as obvious manipulation and corruption.
SOI: Holy Thursday
Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door.
social attitudes to poverty
Pity, shows priorities. Pities the poor rather than helping or changing things for them.
Blake saying that these false actions will push you further from religion.
SOI: The Chimney-Sweeper
Though the morning was cold, Tom was happy and warm So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.
perception is altered through message from angel
Inevitability of heaven used as propaganda by the institutions to condone suffering and hard labour in life, you can rest when you are dead.
SOI: The Lamb
Little Lamb who made thee?
poem suggests separation from God, the creator
Doesn’t shame the listener, simply suggests that society has been misled away from religion.
SOE: Introduction
Turn away no more.
addressing ignorance
Either of the people, turning away from issues and choosing to be ignorant
Could be of the earth, suggesting nature allows suffering and injustice to happen? Further suggests society is misguided, doesn’t take accountability for their actions.
SOE: The Tyger
What immortal hand or eye Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
shame in the tyger’s creation
Humanity has decided that the Tyger is bad, a mistake on God’s part because it is a predatory animal. They assume something evil made such a creature compared to gentle creatures like the lamb.
Naivety of innocence?
SOE: Holy Thursday
Is this a holy thing to see, In a rich and fruitful land
overly questions how people see and perform religion
Economic comment on Britain links directly to context of celebration of holiday.
SOE: London
Mind-forged manacles
not literal manacles
Made in the mind of society they have trapped themselves in this situation, a product of collective societal failure.
SOE: The Chimney-Sweeper
And because I am happy and dance and sing, They think they have done me no injury, And are gone to praise God and his priest and king
confusion of society
Natural state of innocence in childhood is misinterpreted as a moral justification
Confused hierarchy - power of priests above king? Misguided by influence of the church
SOE: A Little Girl Lost
Parents were afar; Strangers came not near; And the maiden soon forgot her fear.
in nature she forgets societal expectations
Conditioned that sex is bad, sexual oppression of all using religion as a symbol of shame despite the naturalness of the act.
Blake believed in free love.
