London by William Blake | London poem | William Blake | Explanation | Summary | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Critical Appreciation | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
London
I wander thro’ each charter’d street,
Near where the charter’d Thames does flow.
And mark in every face I meet
Marks of weakness, marks of woe.
In every cry of every Man,
In every Infants cry of fear,
In every voice: in every ban,
The mind-forg’d manacles I hear
How the Chimney-sweepers cry
Every blackning Church appalls,
And the hapless Soldiers sigh
Runs in blood down Palace walls
But most thro’ midnight streets I hear
How the youthful Harlots curse
Blasts the new-born Infants tear
And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse
line-by-line explanation of the poem
I wander thro’ each charter’d street,
Near where the charter’d Thames does flow.
And mark in every face I meet
Marks of weakness, marks of woe.
Explanation
The speaker walks through the streets of London, describing them as “charter’d.” This term suggests that the city’s streets are limited, regulated, or perhaps restrained by authority. The mention of the “charter’d Thames” further reinforces the idea of control over natural elements. The speaker observes faces marked with “weakness” and “woe,” indicating the suffering and despair prevalent in society.
Poetic devices
Metaphor: “charter’d street” – implies the streets are controlled and restricted, reflecting the rigid social order.
Alliteration: “Marks of weakness, marks of woe” uses the repetition of the “w” sound for emphasis.
Enjambment: The continuation of the sentence across lines creates a flowing rhythm.
In every cry of every Man,
In every Infants cry of fear,
In every voice: in every ban,
The mind-forg’d manacles I hear
Explanation
The speaker hears suffering in every sound – cries of men, infants, and even the “ban” (public announcement). These sounds, he claims, reveal the presence of “mind-forg’d manacles,” symbolizing the psychological and societal forces that oppress and limit individuals.
Poetic Device
Metaphor: “Mind-forg’d manacles” represents mental constraints.
Anaphora: “In every” emphasizes the pervasiveness of suffering, creating a sense of overwhelming sorrow.
Enjambment
How the Chimney-sweepers cry
Every blackning Church appalls,
And the hapless Soldiers sigh
Runs in blood down Palace walls
Explanation
The speaker connects the suffering to specific social ills. The cries of chimney sweeps, who endure harsh working conditions, symbolize the exploitation of the poor. The sight of “blackening Church” suggests religious hypocrisy, failing to offer solace or alleviate suffering. The sighing “Soldiers,” forced to fight in wars, represent another layer of societal injustice.
Poetic Device
Personification: “Church appalls” – attributes human emotions to the building, suggesting its failings.
But most thro’ midnight streets I hear
How the youthful Harlots curse
Blasts the new-born Infants tear
And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse
Explanation
The speaker focuses on the plight of young women forced into prostitution, highlighting the moral decay and societal ills plaguing the city. The “blighted” marriage hearse suggests the destruction of family and love due to poverty and exploitation.
Poetic Device
Metaphor: “blights with plagues” – compares societal ills to a disease, suggesting their destructive and corrupting nature.
Summary
The poem “London” by William Blake, is part of his collection titled “Songs of Experience.” Published in 1794, Blake’s poetry often explores the social, political, and spiritual issues of his time. “London” reflects his criticism of the harsh conditions and societal problems prevalent in the city during the late 18th century.
The poem begins with the speaker wandering through the streets of London, describing them as “charter’d,” suggesting that they are constrained or restricted. The mention of the charter’d Thames implies a controlled or commercialized river, emphasizing the pervasive influence of commerce on the city.
The speaker observes the people he encounters, noting “marks of weakness, marks of woe” on their faces. This suggests a society burdened by suffering and despair. The repeated use of “charter’d” and the references to cries and manacles evoke a sense of confinement and oppression.
The lines about chimney-sweepers, blackening churches, and soldiers’ sighs indicate the harsh realities faced by different segments of society. The mention of blood running down palace walls suggests the high cost of power and authority.
In the latter part of the poem, the focus shifts to the nighttime streets, where the speaker hears the curses of youthful harlots. The reference to the new-born infant’s tear and the plagues on the marriage hearse underscores the destructive impact of social and moral decay on the innocence and purity of individuals.
Overall, “London” serves as a powerful critique of the societal issues and injustices Blake observed in the city during his time, using vivid imagery and poignant language to convey his concerns.
Key Points
Author
William Blake: An English poet, painter, and visionary artist known for his mystical and symbolic works. He lived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Form
“London” is a four-stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of four lines (known as quatrains). The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB throughout.
Speaker
The speaker is an observer who walks through the streets of London, witnessing the city’s suffering and misery.
Setting
London: The poem is set in the bustling city of London during the Industrial Revolution. It portrays a grim and oppressive urban landscape.
Theme
The Oppression of Urban Life:
The poem highlights the hardships faced by Londoners due to industrialization, poverty, and societal constraints.
The city is depicted as a place marked by weakness, woe, and mental imprisonment (“mind-forg’d manacles”).
The cries of men, infants, and other voices echo throughout the cityscape.
The Corruption of Childhood:
Blake critiques child labor, exploitation, and the loss of innocence.
Chimney-sweepers, soldiers, and harlots represent different facets of this corruption.
The new-born infants’ tears symbolize the bleak future awaiting them.
Plot
The speaker walks through the streets of London, observing the faces of its inhabitants.
Everywhere, they encounter suffering, fear, and oppression.
Specific groups (chimney-sweepers, churches, soldiers, harlots) exemplify the city’s woes.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the marriage hearse plagued by curses and tears.
Tone
Dark and Critical: The tone is somber, emphasizing the city’s misery and societal decay.
Blake’s use of vivid imagery intensifies the emotional impact.
Style
Symbolism: The repeated use of “charter’d” symbolizes control and restriction.
Metaphor: “Mind-forg’d manacles” represents mental constraints.
Visual Imagery: Blood running down palace walls and harlots cursing evoke powerful mental images.
Message
Blake’s poem serves as a fierce critique of humankind’s failure to build a society based on love, joy, freedom, and communion with God.
It calls attention to the suffering of the marginalized, the corruption of innocence, and the moral decay within urban life.
William Blake
Birth and Background:
Born: November 28, 1757, in London, England.
Parents: James Blake and Catherine Wright Armitage Blake.
His upbringing was modest, and he came from relatively obscure backgrounds.
Artistic Endeavors:
Engraver and Artist: Blake was not only a poet but also an engraver, printmaker, and painter.
Lyric Poems: His exquisite lyric poems include collections like Songs of Innocence (1789) and Songs of Experience (1794).
Profound Works: He created complex “prophecies,” such as Visions of the Daughters of Albion, The First Book of Urizen, and Jerusalem.
Collaboration with His Wife:
Blake worked closely with his devoted wife, Catherine.
Together, they etched, printed, colored, stitched, and sold his works.
Famous Lyrics:
Some of his best-known lyrics today include:
“The Lamb”
“The Tyger”
“London”
The “Jerusalem” lyric from Milton, which is akin to a second national anthem in Britain.
Legacy and Reception:
In the early 21st century, Blake is regarded as the earliest and most original of the Romantic poets.
However, during his lifetime, he was often neglected or unfairly dismissed as mad.
Themes and Vision:
Blake’s work aimed to bring about change in both social order and individual minds.
His poetry and art challenged conventions and explored profound spiritual and philosophical themes.
Word Meaning
| Line | Tough Word | Meaning in English | Meaning in Hindi |
| 1 | wander | move around aimlessly | घूमना |
| 1 | charter’d | having a formal document granting rights or privileges | राजाज्ञा द्वारा स्थापित/ विशेषाधिकारोंवाला |
| 2 | Thames | a river flowing through London | टेम्स नदी |
| 4 | woe | great sorrow or grief | दुःख |
| 7 | ban | a public announcement or proclamation | घोषणा |
| 8 | mind-forg’d | formed in the mind, not physical | मन का बना हुआ |
| 8 | manacles | chain or handcuffs | हथकड़ी |
| 9 | Chimney-sweepers | people who clean chimneys | चिमनी साफ करने वाले |
| 10 | appalls | threaten/frighten | भयभीत करना |
| 11 | hapless | unfortunate | अभागी/बदकिस्मत |
| 11 | sigh | Heave/breath | साँस/ आह |
| 12 | runs in blood | spreads like blood (here, suggests violence) | खून की तरह बहना |
| 14 | Harlots | prostitutes | वेश्या |
| 14 | curse | an expression of anger or hatred wishing misfortune on someone | श्राप |
| 16 | blights | damages or destroys | नष्ट करना |
| 16 | plagues | calamity/adversity | विपत्तियों |
| 16 | Marriage hearse | a horse-drawn carriage used for funerals | विवाह शवयात्रा / विवाह अर्थी |
Very Short Answer Questions
What does “charter’d” mean in the poem?
Answer: It means controlled or restricted.
What does “mind-forg’d manacles” mean?
Answer: Mental chains or constraints.
What is the context of the poem?
Answer: The suffering in urban London during the Industrial Revolution.
What is the tone of the poem?
Answer: Somber and critical.
What does “marriage hearse” symbolize?
Answer: The decay of love and societal norms.
What do “Marks of weakness, marks of woe” signify?
Answer: The visible signs of suffering.
Why is “London” considered a Romantic poem?
Answer: It critiques societal issues and emphasizes emotion.
How does Blake depict power in “London”?
Answer: Through oppressive institutions and suffering.
What does “Runs in blood down Palace walls” mean?
Answer: Soldiers’ suffering stains the grandeur of authority.
What aspects of Romantic literature are evident in “London”?
Answer: Emotion, critique of society, and vivid imagery.
What is the meaning of “blackening” in the poem?
Answer: Symbolizes moral corruption.
Why is “every” repeated throughout the poem?
Answer: Emphasizes universality and suffering.
How does Blake depict suffering in “London”?
Answer: Through cries, curses, and tears.
What is the structure of “London”?
Answer: Four quatrains (ABAB rhyme).
How are people portrayed in Blake’s “London”?
Answer: As victims of societal constraints.
Why doesn’t Blake mention “London” directly?
Answer: The poem’s themes apply universally.
Does “London” have enduring applications?
Answer: Yes, it critiques oppression across time.
How does the poem express anger?
Answer: Through powerful imagery and critique.
What human truth does “London” present?
Answer: The cost of societal decay.
What type of poem is “London”?
Answer: A lyric poem with social commentary.
Short Answer Questions
What does “charter’d” mean in the poem?
Answer: In the poem “London,” the term “charter’d” refers to the controlled and regulated nature of the city streets. It suggests that the city’s spaces are not free but rather constrained by authority and rules.
What does “mind-forg’d manacles” mean?
Answer: “Mind-forg’d manacles” is a powerful metaphor in the poem. It represents mental constraints or psychological imprisonment. Blake implies that societal norms and oppressive systems create invisible chains that bind people’s minds.
What is the tone of the poem “London”?
Answer: The tone of “London” is somber and critical. Blake paints a bleak picture of the city, emphasizing suffering, corruption, and decay. The repetitive cries of distress contribute to the overall melancholic tone.
What does “marriage hearse” symbolize?
Answer: The phrase “marriage hearse” is paradoxical and symbolic. It represents the decay of love and hope within marriage. Blake suggests that societal norms and oppressive institutions taint even the most sacred aspects of life.
Why is “London” considered a Romantic poem?
Answer: “London” is a Romantic poem because it critiques societal issues, emphasizes emotion, and focuses on individual experience. Blake’s vivid imagery and concern for human suffering align with Romantic ideals.
What is the structure of William Blake’s “London”?
Answer: The poem consists of four quatrains (four-line stanzas), each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This regular structure enhances the poem’s rhythmic flow and impact.
How does Blake depict suffering in “London”?
Answer: Blake portrays suffering through visual and auditory imagery. The cries of chimney-sweepers, soldiers, and harlots, along with the blood running down palace walls, evoke a sense of collective pain and despair.
Why doesn’t Blake mention “London” directly in his poem?
Answer: Blake’s omission of the word “London” allows the poem to transcend its specific setting. The themes of suffering, corruption, and societal decay apply universally, making it relevant beyond any particular city.
Does “London” have enduring applications beyond its time?
Answer: Yes, the poem’s critique of oppression, loss of innocence, and societal decay remains relevant across different historical contexts. It serves as a timeless commentary on human struggles.
What human truth is presented in “London”?
Answer: “London” reveals the cost of progress and the toll it takes on individuals. It exposes the hidden suffering beneath the city’s surface, emphasizing the need for empathy and social change.
Essay Type Questions
Write the critical appreciation of the poem.
1. Introduction
William Blake’s poem “London” serves as a poignant critique of the social, political, and economic conditions prevailing in the city during the late 18th century. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Blake exposes the suffering, corruption, and moral decay that permeate London society. The poem serves as both a protest against societal ills and a timeless commentary on human struggles.
2. Structure
“London” consists of four regular stanzas, each containing four lines (quatrains). The poem follows a consistent pattern, maintaining its structure throughout. The poem exhibits an alternate rhyme scheme (ABAB) in each stanza. This choice adds a sense of order to the chaotic subject matter.
3. Plot
The speaker takes a walk through the streets of London, observing the faces and hearing the cries of its inhabitants. The poem captures the misery, oppression, and moral degradation prevalent in the city. The speaker encounters chimney sweepers, soldiers, and harlots, all victims of a corrupt system. The poem culminates in a haunting image of a marriage hearse, symbolizing the decay of love and societal norms.
4. Style
Imagery: Blake skillfully employs vivid images to convey the bleakness of London life. The chartered streets, Thames, cries of chimney sweepers, blackening churches, and blood on palace walls evoke a sense of despair.
Symbolism: The mind-forged manacles represent mental constraints imposed by societal norms. The harlot’s curse and the new-born infant’s tear symbolize the consequences of loveless marriages and adultery.
Satire: Blake’s biting satire targets the corrupt values and ethics of London society. He denounces the degradation of humanity and the oppressive systems in place.
5. Themes
William Blake’s poem “London” delves into the harsh realities of urban life during the late 18th century. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Blake critiques societal norms, moral decay, and the suffering faced by Londoners. Let’s explore the major themes present in this evocative poem:
Oppression of Urban Life
The poem vividly portrays the oppressive atmosphere of London. The term “charter’d” suggests control and restriction, emphasizing the city’s constrained spaces.
The cries of chimney-sweepers, soldiers, and harlots reveal the suffering endured by different segments of society.
Blake highlights the mental imprisonment (“mind-forg’d manacles”) imposed by societal norms.
The Corruption of Childhood
Innocence is lost in the grim cityscape. The cries of infants and the exploitation of children (chimney-sweepers) underscore this theme.
The blackening churches symbolize moral corruption, contrasting with the purity associated with religious institutions.
Sexual Perversion and Decay
The youthful harlots’ curses and the new-born infants’ tears represent sexual degradation and societal decay.
The paradoxical image of the “marriage hearse” suggests that even sacred institutions are tainted.
6. Poetic Devices
William Blake masterfully employs various poetic devices in his poem “London.” These literary techniques enhance the impact of the poem and contribute to its overall meaning. Let’s explore these devices in detail:
Enjambment
Definition: Enjambment occurs when a line of poetry runs over into the next line without a pause or punctuation.
Usage in “London”: Blake uses enjambment to create a flowing rhythm, connecting ideas across lines. For example:
And mark in every face I meet
Marks of weakness, marks of woe.
Metaphor
Definition: A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”
Usage in “London”: The phrase “mind-forg’d manacles” is a metaphor. It symbolizes mental constraints imposed by societal norms, emphasizing the psychological imprisonment experienced by individuals.
Symbolism
Definition: Symbolism involves using objects, actions, or words to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
Usage in “London”:
Chimney-sweepers: Symbolize child labor and exploitation.
Blackening Church: Represents moral corruption within religious institutions.
Marriage Hearse: Symbolizes the decay of love and societal norms.
Alliteration
Definition: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of adjacent words.
Usage in “London”: Examples include:
“Marks of weakness, marks of woe.”
Imagery
Definition: Imagery involves creating vivid mental pictures through descriptive language.
Usage in “London”: Blake’s descriptions of faces, cries, blood on palace walls, and harlots’ curses evoke powerful visual images, enhancing the poem’s impact.
Irony
Definition: Irony occurs when there is a contrast between expectation and reality.
Usage in “London”: The juxtaposition of the “blackening Church” and the suffering soldiers creates irony, revealing the corruption within seemingly sacred institutions.
7. Message
“London” serves as a timeless warning against societal decay, emphasizing the need for compassion, love, and social change.
8. Conclusion
Blake’s “London” remains relevant today, urging us to examine our own societies and strive for a more compassionate and just world.
