Lecture Notes: Power and Conflict Anthology - London by William Blake
Introduction
- Lecturer's request for students to behave appropriately during the session.
- Clarification of the subject - Power and Conflict Anthology cluster.
- Focus of the lecture: Poem "London" by William Blake.
- Reminder: Previous poem studied was "Ozymandias."
Overview of "London"
- Title Significance: "London" suggests a focus on the capital city, symbolizing the entire country (England).
- First Impressions: Negative portrayal of London—bleak, depressing, associated with poverty and doom.
Poem Analysis
First and Last Line
Imagery
- Key Imagery: Third stanza
- "Blackening church appalls" and "blood down palace walls."
- Criticism of corrupted authority (church and monarchy).
- Religion and monarchy not helping the poor or fulfilling their roles.
Repetition
- Repetition of "Every": Highlights the universality of suffering among the powerless.
- Repetition of "Chartered": Emphasizes ownership and control by the powerful.
Context
- William Blake: Romantic poet critical of the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution.
- Industrial Revolution: Widened the gap between rich and poor, increased pollution and exploitation.
- Songs of Innocence and Experience: "London" is part of the "Experience" section, reflecting a more cynical worldview.
Themes and Comparisons
- Themes: Inequality, power, oppression, and societal corruption.
- Comparison with "Ozymandias":
- Power and Tyranny: Both poems explore the misuse of power.
- Inequality: Highlight the divide between the rich and the poor.
- Ongoing vs. Faded Power: "London" depicts current corruption, "Ozymandias" shows the downfall of tyrants.
- Temporal Contexts: "Ozymandias" is past, "London" is present, reflecting ongoing societal issues.
Examination Tips
- Comparison question structure: Compare a named poem with another from memory.
- Focus on evidence-based comparisons and thematic links.
- No set rule for similarities vs. differences; both are valid.
Conclusion
- The poem "London" serves as a critique of societal power dynamics and industrialization.
- Future lessons to cover additional poems and comparative essay writing.
Upcoming Lessons: More on essay comparisons and examination preparation.
- Reminder: Keep questions and continue engagement in future sessions.