english - william blake’s corrupted society

summary:
In "London," the British monarchy and the church are criticised as well as the
brutality and injustice that are present in society. It expresses the social resentments
of marginalised individuals, including prostitutes and chimney sweeps who were
minors at the time.

Blake had a clear vision. He was adamant that the Industrial Revolution needed to be
stopped because it was causing more harm than benefit. Because of the victims’ size
and the way they were treated, he disliked the use of under-aged children as
labourers.

Cities were congested, filthy, and noisy. Nearly a million people lived in London in
1800, compared to around 600,000 in 1700. Only a small portion of the population,
the wealthy, lived in grandiose, opulent mansions and country homes that they
adorned with cosy, cushioned furnishings.

‘Old Corruption’ – a term coined in the 1830s – was characterised by a ‘system’ of

corrupt institutions and practices that diverted public money into the pockets of a
political and social elite who distributed offices amongst their friends and family in
order to advance their own profit.

On the contrary, the natural world served as a source of creativity and incredible
strength for the Romantic poets.