Analyzing William Blake’s Poems

Over the next week, let’s consider William Blake’s poems about the social conditions in his hometown.  First, read “London” (p. 74-75).  If Blake were to walk the streets of an American city today, would he find any conditions similar to those he finds in “London”?  Are any of the images Blake uses present in today’s world?  If so, where?

Read “The Chimney Sweeper” (p. 39). In what ways are Blake’s two poems limited by their time period?  In what ways do you believe these two poems may have enduring applications?

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