Study Guide by Arpita Karwa

London by William Blake

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"London" is one of the best writings by English poet

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William Blake.

The poet describes London while walking through the

city. He comes near the River Thames which seems to
have a pre-decided course as it flows throughout London.
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He sees depressed faces all around. The speaker says he can
hear the pain in the moment when men and newborn
babies cry. He says that every rule, every restriction in
London oppresses the feelings of the people.
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In the next stanza, the speaker hears the crying of people
who clean the chimneys. Their crying, the poet says, is a
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shame on the Church officials. The poet thinks about

British soldiers who lose their lives for no reason. He sees
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the blood of these soldiers paint the walls of a palace.

The poet hears the young prostitutes who have been

burdened by their unfortunate circumstances and they
extend the misery to their children. In the last lines, the
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speaker imagines these crying sounds to be plaguing an

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imagined vehicle (the Marriage hearse) that carries love

and death.
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