Wednesday, 28 November 2018 INNOCENT SWEEP

To each table, a task… C: content of the poem – what is it about? L:What features of language can you spot that are interesting? Can you suggest what effect they have? I: What ideas is the poet trying to put across? Why has he written this poem? M: Does the poem have any particular mood? Is there a clash of tone ( how the poem feels) and mood? E: How do you respond to the poem, what effect does it have?

C A ballad, a childish rhyme, story telling. Simple structure and comforting rhymes… But the last line doesn’t rhyme. Why? simple ballad which seems to tell the story of a group of children through the eyes of one particular boy. Children lead an awful life but the poem seems, at first glance to find hope.

L… Contrasts: Black and White or Darkness and Light are symbolic features of these poems. Why? L.4 “YOUR” chimneys. Effect? L20 never “WANT” joy. Meaning? Which is better? Why is there a deliberate confusion here? L.12 Coffins can link with chimneys… if chimneys vent fire do they come from Hell or Heaven? L.24 Seems like a proverb… why?

I… Dream: Escape to paradise is implied. Paradise seems to be like the countryside… we know from “London” that this is the world of innocence. Bright Key (L13) could be a reference to The key of HELL – Milton, Paradise Lost. Naked and white reflects Adam and Eve in Eden Angel is messenger of God – is his message good?

M… Final line might be a meaning. If so it requires us to believe that it is true. Does Blake help us to do so? What will happen to the boys if they “do their duty” as required? Is there a sense in which Religion might be tricking the boys?

E… Unsettling? The poem seems so straightforward, but is it? Even if Tom is innocent, are we? (your chimneys and response to last line). Songs OF innocence… Of = ABOUT? If this is so, what are we being told about innocence here?