Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"London" is a poem from William Blake's collection, Songs of Experience, which was published in 1794. The poem is a critique of the social and political conditions of London during the late 18th century.

In the poem, Blake describes the streets of London as "charter'd," or controlled by the government, and the people as "hapless," or unlucky. He describes the "marks of weakness, marks of woe" on the faces of the people, suggesting that they are suffering from the social and economic conditions of the city.

Blake's use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "charter'd," is effective in emphasizing the theme of control and oppression. The repetition of the word "every" in the third stanza is also effective in conveying the universality of the suffering experienced by the people of London.

The poem suggests that the social and political conditions of London are responsible for the suffering of the people. The "mind-forg'd manacles" mentioned in the fourth stanza are a metaphor for the way in which the social and political conditions of the city restrict individual freedom and perpetuate suffering.

Blake's criticism of the Church of England is also evident in the poem. He describes the "black'ning Church" in the fifth stanza, suggesting that the Church is complicit in the oppression of the people of London.

Overall, "London" is a powerful critique of the social and political conditions of London during the late 18th century. Blake's use of metaphor and repetition effectively conveys his message, and the poem remains a relevant commentary on the role of government and social conditions in perpetuating suffering and oppression in society.

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