Perspectives
It is always important to put a literary text into perspective and discuss it in relation to similar texts or the context in which it was written. In what follows, we will give you some points for a discussion of “London” by William Blake.
Critical reception
William Blake was not very popular during the period he lived in. However, his works were rediscovered later and are much appreciated today. In the extra material from Wider Contexts, you are given some opinions on his poem “London”.
Both critics - David Punter and Gillian Lazar - consider the poem a work of art, a revolutionary text which talks about social injustices and the societal decay.
- How did the poem sound to you?
- Do you feel its message is still relevant today?
Consider modern day poverty and corrupt systems that exist around the world. Also, reflect on London today; it is a city where cosmopolitanism and wealth mix with poor neighbourhoods usually inhabited by immigrants.
“London” versus “The Ecchoing Green”
We will now compare “London” with “The Ecchoing Green” by the same author, focusing on content language, metre, and tone.
While “London” paints a gloomy picture of a degrading society where institutions fail the people and social injustice is prevalent, “The Ecchoing Green” is quite the opposite in terms of content. It depicts a happy atmosphere in a natural landscape. There, nature smiles upon people and the characters are free of worries to enjoy life.
“The sun does arise,
And make happy the skies.
The merry bells ring,
To welcome the Spring.” (p. 202, ll. 1-4)
While being so different in terms of content, the poems are also dissimilar in terms of tone and language. In “London”, the language is rather solemn, using strong words with negative connotations:
“How the Chimney-sweepers cry
Every black’ning Church appalls,
And the hapless Soldier’s sigh
Runs in blood down Palace walls.” (p. 214, ll. 11-14)
In “The Ecchoing Green”, on the other hand, the tone is warm and the language more colloquial:
“Old John with white hair
Does laugh away care,
Sitting under the oak,
Among the old folk.” (p. 202, ll. 12-15)
As you have seen, the meter in “London” is iambic tetrameter mixed with anapaests: “Near where the charter'd Thames does flow”. (p. 214, l. 2)
“The Ecchoing Green” also includes anapaests, but it is short rhymed. The rhythm is iambic in this poem as well, but only two stressed syllables per line and occasional with trochees.
“Old John with white hair
Does laugh away care,” (p. 2...
