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The Chimney Sweeper
The poems ‘The Chimney Sweeper’ and ‘London’ were the masterpiece of a multi
talented artist and often remembered as one of the best social commenter of his
time, William Blake. He had a flair for writing verses that contained a theme in
them and a special message for its readers. Although Blake has been considered
as a barmy among his social groups yet there is no doubt that he was among the
very few poets who gave a new meaning to poetry. Blake’s greatest poetic
achievements are usually regarded as the Songs of Innocence and the Songs of
Experience published in 1789 and 1794 respectively.
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The Chimney Sweeper
William Blake poem ‘The Chimney Sweeper’ reveals the traumatic fate of a poor
chimneysweeper whose mother died when he was very young. So, the father sold the
lad (either because of the fact that he could not take care of him or for
greed). It’s the poet’s imaginary quality that has clearly made the poem a blend
between a wonderful dream and the actual reality of life. Besides this
illustration between the realistic and picture perfect world the poem also
beautifully explicates the joy and pain, laughter and tears that one comes
across. This poem shows that the children are very optimistic as they have a
positive approach to life. They try to enjoy life as it comes and are not afraid
on anything immortal as death.
London
London was the result of the developed, tyrannical, society where
distinguishable class segregations had emerged after industrialization. London
comments on the selfish society where injustice, blasphemy and insincerity
ruled. Besides portraying qualities of extreme rage and antagonism it also
reveals a threatening knowledge of malevolence. Blake has adopted a very
sarcastic tone when defines London citizens. He referred them as being dominant
and prejudice in their lives, as their faces reflected anguish and hatred for
the poor.¹
Comparison Analysis
The major difference between the two poems is that ‘London’ is a very
pessimistic poem while ‘The chimney Sweeper’ is more optimistic. It seems that
Blake was very disappointed with London’s impartiality and egotistical culture
that had plagued the society. That is why the poet has attempted to make the
London people realize what damage is being caused to the society by their
discrimination and sneering attitudes. Where as The Chimney Sweeper evokes a
lesson to all those unwanted children who were forced to work in the coffin-like
boundaries of dirty chimneys. The children were so disheartened that they only
longed for death. But Blake’s poem ‘The Chimney Sweeper’ is a light for all
these kids to the look up at the brighter aspect of life and only then they
would be able to overcome their wildest fears.
Endnotes
1. William Blake, Songs of Innocence (1789). Blake's Illuminated Books, ed.
David Bindman (Princeton, NJ: William Blake Trust; London: Tate Gallery, 1991-).
Vol. 2. PR 4142 B46 1991 ROBA
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