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Questions and Answers
What is the main theme of the poem 'London' by William Blake?
What is the main theme of the poem 'London' by William Blake?
How does the poem 'London' reflect the suffering in the city?
How does the poem 'London' reflect the suffering in the city?
What does the repetition of the word 'chartered' in the poem 'London' refer to?
What does the repetition of the word 'chartered' in the poem 'London' refer to?
How does the structure of quatrains in the poem 'London' contribute to its meaning?
How does the structure of quatrains in the poem 'London' contribute to its meaning?
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What is the significance of the reference to the hapless soldier's sigh and blood running down palace walls in the poem 'London'?
What is the significance of the reference to the hapless soldier's sigh and blood running down palace walls in the poem 'London'?
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What does the conclusion, 'the marriage hearse,' in the poem 'London' symbolize?
What does the conclusion, 'the marriage hearse,' in the poem 'London' symbolize?
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In what meter is 'London' by William Blake primarily written?
In what meter is 'London' by William Blake primarily written?
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Study Notes
- 'London' by William Blake is a poem describing a walk through the city of London in 1794, during the reign of King George III.
- The narrator notices everyone looks sad and troubled, suggesting mental and physical captivity.
- The poem implies suffering is caused by the church, landowners, monarchy, and government.
- Blake was a poet, painter, and printmaker, born in London, known for challenging power misuse.
- The word "chartered" is repeated, referring to privately owned properties and the forced control of the Thames.
- The poem is structured in quatrains, reflecting the relentless suffering in the city and the cyclical repetition of it.
- The poem is mostly in iambic tetrameter, with some variations, reflecting the inescapable life of the poor.
- Blake uses repetition of the word "mark" with different meanings, highlighting the suffering and the poet's frustration.
- The reference to the hapless soldier's sigh, blood running down palace walls, suggests the potential for revolution and monarchy blame.
- The poem's conclusion, the marriage hearse, is an oxymoron, suggesting the destruction of the old London due to power misuse.
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Description
Explore the themes, structure, and poetic techniques used in the poem 'London' by William Blake, which critiques the oppressive systems in the city during the late 18th century. Understand the poet's use of repetition, imagery, and meter to convey the suffering and frustration of the people.
