2. William Blake as a poet of mysticism, symbolism
and Morality
• William Blake as a poet of mysticism, symbolism and Morality
Innocence and disillusionment are the two important themes his poetry hinges upon
while symbolism and mystic element remain the prime means of the disclosing the
ideas and beliefs of the poet. The poet has actually projected "innocence" and
"experience" or "disillusionment" as contrary while projecting the evolution of man
from one state of being, innocence, to another i.e. disillusionment. Blake dreamt of a
world free from oppression, cruelty and injustice.
3. Mysticism of William Blake:
• Mysticism and melancholy are often companions in poetry.
• But William Blake is a joyous mystic.
• Being a realist, Blake presents gloom as a companion and
necessity of joy.
• He accepts this reality with a cheerful heart.
4. Use of Symbolism
• Blake is known for the complex and personal symbolism he uses in his poetry. However, he does
employ mythological as well as biblical imagery and references as symbols.
• In "The Lamb", Blake uses the symbol of "lamb" for Christ and God.
• The "child" itself is an image of the lamb, Christ, God as well as the innocence of man.
• "Rose", traditionally a symbol of love and beauty, represents the captive state of man: "O Rose,
thou art sick!"
• "Tyger" is another symbol showing the violent and terrifying powers in man. It is also a reflection
of the weaker and stronger state of bodily perfection endowed by the creator:
5. Morality
Blake repudiates the traditional concept of morality. He
advocates the concept of forgiveness because "The
Resurrection of Forgiveness" belongs to eternal life. It shall
bring everlasting peace and joy for man. He relates the
examples of Christ, Joseph and Mary. For Blake, chastity, a
state of sublimity,
6. Morality
• Chastity can be acquired through forgiveness. Blake rejects
the concept of physical chastity and virginity. He stresses
upon the chastity of mind which, in itself, assures the
chastity of soul and body itself.
7. HUMANITARIAN APPROACH OF BLAKE
• The Chimney Sweeper, London, and Holy Thursday. He
writes that he wonders about each poor creature on the
street near the river Thames.
8. ANTI-CLERICAL VIEWS OF BLAKE
• Moreover, Blake also does not show mercy to the Church. In
his poetry, the Church is an inhospitable place; whereas the
ale-house is friendly and warm. The Church imposes
religious restrictions. Blake is against all organized
institutions of religion.
9. Summary
• “London” analyzes and points out cruelty and injustice
occurring in the society and criticizes the church and the
British monarchy. It articulates the social grievances of
marginalized people such as prostitutes and chimney-sweepers
who used to be children during that time.
10. Themes: The Oppression of Urban Life
• The dirty and dangerous city is an intense expression of human life—not at its
fullest, but at its most depraved and impoverished.
• Blake uses "London" to argue that this urban environment is inherently
oppressive and denies people the freedom to live happy, joyful lives.
• The people are “marked” by “weakness” and “woe"; the streets and even the
river Thames are “charter’d”—that is, their courses have been decided for
them. (Rivers are often a symbol of freedom, but not in this poem.)
11. The Oppression of Urban Life
• Manacles are a type of physical restraint, like handcuffs, but these particular
manacles are “mind-forg’d”—that is, they come from thought rather than the
physical world.
• The poem argues that this way of life—with its focus on economic activity and
individualism—is fundamentally flawed.
• The chimney-sweepers, who are only children, put their health at great risk to
earn a living; both the soldiers, in different ways, must sell their bodies in
order to survive.
12. • What's more, the poem offers no real hope that society may find a way to cast off its
“mind-forg’d manacles.” Note that the poem emphasizes the next generation in closing
on the “youthful Harlots” and the “new-born infants.” This image turns what should be
a joyous celebration of new life into an initiation into poverty, pain, and hopelessness;
it implies the cyclical nature of London's poverty, and suggests people don’t have the
freedom to escape their urban woes.
• modern city life as hopelessly oppressive
• The poem argues these changes aren't for the better, and its criticism of London may
be just as relevant to today’s cities.
13. The Corruption of Childhood
• Blake believed that people are born with everything they need for a joyful, loving,
and happy life—but that the adult world corrupts this innocent state.
• he speaker of "London" presents urban children as being in distress from the moment
they are born.
• miserable mothers lead to miserable children, who may themselves create more
miserable children later on
• the impoverished children of London are forced to exchange their one possession—
their bodies—for money, food, and/or lodging. In other words, they give up their
childhood
