LO: To analyse language and the representation of urbanisation in the poem ‘London’

What impressions do you have of… LONDON Note down at least 7 adjectives

William Blake William Blake (1757-1827) is now recognised as an important figure in the Romantic period, although he was virtually ignored during his lifetime. He was both a poet and an artist. Like Shelley, he was a radical thinker with political views that were unusual at the time. He rejected established religion and was against oppression by the Church and state. Blake lived in London, and saw around him the poverty and social problems caused by the Industrial Revolution and urbanisation.

Read the poem London By William Blake I wander thro' each charter'd street, Near where the charter'd Thames does flow. And mark in every face I meet Marks of weakness, marks of woe. In every cry of every Man, In every Infants cry of fear, In every voice: in every ban, The mind-forg'd manacles I hear How the Chimney-sweepers cry Every blackning Church appalls, And the hapless Soldiers sigh Runs in blood down Palace walls But most thro' midnight streets I hear How the youthful Harlots curse Blasts the new-born Infants tear And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse

Re read the poem Highlight which words stand out – why? Compare with your partner – are there any that are similar? Why? What associations do they have? Are there any words you don’t understand? Find a dictionary and research them.

What is the poem about? Summarise each stanza– you should have an understanding from looking at important words and phrases that stick out.

Language Group 1: Identify and explore any language that Blake uses to present religion. Group 2: Identify and explore any language that Blake uses to explore the poor conditions of the city Group 3: Identify and explore any language that Blake uses to explore the affects of the city upon its inhabitants Remember that, as a Romantic poet, Blake promoted nature against urbanisation!

Language One member from each group move to another table that has not taken the same focus as you. Swap notes about your individual themes. You should end up with a set of notes for each theme.

Discussion Point What is Blake saying about life in the city (and indeed urban life)?

Structure What is the rhyme scheme used in each line? How many beats per line? Which verse seems slightly different? Sit back to back and read aloud See if you can work out how and why it varies. Annotate your poem with the answer.

Additional task if wanted Select a city you have been to. You are going to write a poem, similar to Blake, describing the city and using language to show how you feel about it.

Member 1 Member 2 Member 3 Plenary Rate the performance of your group 1 - 3 (3 is highest) Have they… worked hard to contribute to discussion Made perceptive comments about the poem? Have they selected textual evidence? Member 1 Member 2 Member 3

Homework Compare the representation of conflict and power in Wordsworth’s ‘The Prelude’ and Blake’s London. Try and use key terms such as Romantic, and sublime, urbanisation