Knowt
Institution of the Church in Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience
Institution of the Church:
Blake criticises the institution of the church throughout his work, painting a clear picture as to how far they have strayed from the actual teachings of religion. To Blake this coincides with industrialised society, craving money and power corrupts anything, even the purest ideas of religion.
SOI: The Shepard
He shall follow his sheep all the day, And his tongue shall be filed with praise.
double-meaning
How religion is meant to look, guiding authority
Critique of religious leaders who say they have a “flock” and control how the individual accesses God
SOI: Holy Thursday
Beneath them sit the aged men, wise guardians of the poor
sense of hierarchy
Priests have authority rather than care - ironically foregrounds the children rather than the priests to criticise the church’s priorities.
SOE: Holy Thursday
Is this a holy thing to see, In a rich and fruitful land
mocking and combative tone
Questioning how people see and perform religion
Economic comment - ideas of socialism emerging
SOE: The Chimney-Sweeper
They are both gone up to the church to pray… And are gone to praise God and his priest and king
church excuses child labour
Faith and religion becomes justification for abuse and neglect
Reversal of roles, child working and parents praying
Confused hierarchy of priests above kings
Acknowledges social power that the church has compared to monarchy, which they manipulate to their advantage
SOE: London
How the chimney-sweeper’s cry Every black’ning church appalls
church has failed vulnerable children
Acrostic form in stanza 3 “HEAR” - imperative command concealed in poems form is an imprisoned pleas for someone to hear their suffering, and help them.
SOE: A Little Girl Lost
To her father white Came the maiden bright; But his loving look, Like the holy book, All her tender limbs with terror shook.
father figure represents God
Terrified of persecution, how the church has manipulated religion to keep children submissive and obedient, terrified to step outside of teachings for fear of sinning in “God’s eyes” which is actually just the church.
