London, a poem written by William Blake in 1794, is a powerful portrayal of the harsh realities of life in London during the late 18th century. Through its vivid descriptions and poignant imagery, Blake highlights the poverty, oppression, and moral decay that plagued the city during his time.
The poem begins with the speaker’s observation of the streets of London. Blake uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of a city that is dark, dirty, and full of suffering. The first two lines set the tone for the entire poem:
I wander through each chartered street,
Near where the chartered Thames does flow.
The use of “chartered” suggests that every aspect of life in London is controlled and regulated by those in power. This sets up one of the major themes of the poem: oppression.
The next stanza describes what the speaker sees as he walks through London:
And mark in every face I meet
Marks of weakness, marks of woe.
This line emphasizes how widespread suffering is in London. The repetition of “marks” creates a sense that everyone is marked by their struggles and hardships.
Blake then shifts to describing specific examples of this suffering. He describes “the hapless soldier’s sigh” (line 5), suggesting that even those who are supposed to be protecting society are themselves victims. He then describes young girls who are forced into prostitution:
But most through midnight streets I hear
How the youthful harlot’s curse
Blasts the new-born infant’s tear,
And blights with plagues the marriage hearse.
This stanza is particularly powerful because it shows how one form of oppression can lead to others. The girls are driven to prostitution because they have no other options for survival, and their actions result in the spread of disease and death.
Blake then shifts his focus to the institutions that perpetuate this suffering. He describes the “black’ning church” (line 10), suggesting that even religion has become corrupted by those in power. He also describes the “palace walls” (line 12), implying that even the royal family is complicit in the oppression of the poor.
The final stanza brings together all of these themes and suggests that they are all interconnected:
And blights with plagues the marriage hearse.
And the hapless soldier’s sigh
Runs in blood down palace walls.
But most through midnight streets I hear
How the youthful harlot’s curse
Blasts the new-born infant’s tear.
The repetition of “and” at the beginning of each line creates a feeling of inevitability – these problems are all linked together, and they cannot be solved without addressing them all.
In conclusion, London is a powerful poem that highlights the suffering and oppression endured by those living in poverty during Blake’s time. Through vivid imagery and poignant descriptions, Blake shows how every aspect of life in London is controlled by those in power, leading to widespread suffering and moral decay. The poem is a call to action, urging readers to recognize these problems and work towards creating a more just society.