London by William Blake
This page provides an annotated analysis of the power and conflict poem "London" by William Blake. The poem offers a critical view of London in the late 18th century, highlighting social issues and the suffering of its inhabitants.
Vocabulary: Chartered - Owned or controlled, often through official documents granting rights
The poem begins with the speaker wandering through London's streets and along the Thames, both described as "chartered." This suggests that even natural features like the river are controlled and commodified.
Quote: "I wander through each chartered street, / Near where the chartered Thames does flow"
As the speaker walks, he observes signs of suffering and oppression in every face he sees:
Quote: "And mark in every face I meet / Marks of weakness, marks of woe"
Blake uses repetition and powerful imagery to emphasize the widespread nature of this suffering:
Highlight: The repeated use of "every" emphasizes that the problems affect all of society
The poem critiques various institutions that Blake sees as sources of oppression, including the church, the military, and the monarchy:
Example: "How the chimney-sweeper's cry / Every black'ning church appalls"
Example: "And the hapless soldier's sigh / Runs in blood down palace walls"
Blake also introduces the concept of "mind-forged manacles," suggesting that people are mentally enslaved by societal constraints and expectations.
Definition: Mind-forged manacles - Mental restrictions or limitations that people impose on themselves or that society imposes on them
The poem concludes with a powerful image of a young prostitute cursing, linking this to the "marriage hearse" - a paradoxical phrase that connects marriage with death and suffering.
This Power and Conflict poem analysis shows how Blake uses vivid imagery and repetition to critique the power structures and social issues of his time, presenting a bleak picture of urban life in London.