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London - Coggle Diagram
London
Key quotes
"Mind-forged manacles"
"Mind-forged" suggests internal struggle, and that the oppression is so extensive that submission is imprinted in the minds of the poor, they have accepted internally that suffering is endless and that the rich will stay rich and they will stay in poverty
Manacles are a sort of mediaeval handcuffs. Manacles have associations with slavery, physical restriction and imprisonment. The use of these objects could suggest that the mental strain and suffering is virtually slavery and confines them physically/in life, which is another example of oppression restricting people both mentally and physically as a result.
"Each chartered street, Near where the chartered Thames does flow,"
Repetition of "charter'd" shows extent of control and the power that the establishment holds over not just people, but even the buildings and the Thames itself, even nature is subjugated to oppression in this society.
Use of the preposition "near" could suggest that the upper classes like to keep their "assets" close together and easier to track, which presents even the layout of the city as a sinister method to maintain control.
"Marks of weakness, marks of woe"
Break from iambic tetrameter rhythm for this quote places lots of emphasis on this line. this highlights the extent of the suffering to the reader and leaves them to reflect before retiring to the routine rhythm.
It could be argued that he represents the possible opportunities members of Geogian society have to break free through the small inconsistencies in the tight structure of the poem
By showing their "woe" and "weakness" to have left "marks", it shows how detrimental and horrifying their lives are the their mental suffering leaves physical marks, which only occurs in extreme circumstances
Similar poems
The Emigree
Similarities
- Both poems use place and setting to send messages and show the influence it can have on citizens.
- In The Emigreé, there is the resounding positive impression clouds all other knowledge and contradicting information – power of memories of the place. Meanwhile, in London, there is the power of the place to oppress them, and causes them suffering and internalised oppression.
Differences
- In the Emigreé the place is fantasy – “there was once a city” – the city is metaphorical and symbolic for the place she remembers, but which no longer exists. On the other hand, in London, the place is real but has symbolic values – buildings symbolic of institutions of power
Tissue
Similarities
- Both poets show human power as a source of oppression and suffering; in the poem London, citizens are suffering “mind forged manacles”, and in Tissue, oppression stems from power “fall away on a sigh”, which shows relief of permanence fading.
Differences
- However, the two poets have different responses to the inequality, oppression and suffering they are faced with and see in society. On one hand, Blake is resigned to accept the cyclical nature of corruption – cyclical structure of poem, whereas Dharker is offering a solution to the problem of power.
Structure and form
Structure
- Use of cyclical structure implies the suffering is endless for the poor, which is shown through the changing focus throughout the poem. The first/second stanzas focus on the impact on people, the third explores the sources of their suffering and the fourth returns to the suffering
- Consistent iambic tetrameter connotes control and relentlessness, which links to the oppression Blakely is critiquing
- Consistent rhyme scheme also links to the extent of control
Form
- Dramatic monologue written in first person creates emotional and powerful representation of Blakely's messages of oppression
- 1st person also makes his poem more accessible and personal for readers, which makes his message more effective
Context
- Written by William Blake (1757-1827)
- Blake was a key advocat during the romanticist movement in the 18th/19th centuries
- Blake was known for, at the time, radical anti-establishment views
- He was heavily inspired by the French Revolution (1789-1794)
- The poem was written to criticise the main establishments a the top of society, the Church of England, the Royal Family, and HM Government