William Blake wrote in the early years of the Romantic era of British literature. His poem "London" displays at least three of the tenets of Romanticism. First, Romantic literature reflects an interest in the common man and childhood. This poem is concerned with everyday citizens of London: "every Man," chimney sweeps, soldiers, harlots, and a common married couple. Twice the poem mentions infants. Second, Romantic poems often celebrate individualism, freedom, and rights, reflecting the revolutions...
William Blake wrote in the early years of the Romantic era of British literature. His poem "London" displays at least three of the tenets of Romanticism. First, Romantic literature reflects an interest in the common man and childhood. This poem is concerned with everyday citizens of London: "every Man," chimney sweeps, soldiers, harlots, and a common married couple. Twice the poem mentions infants. Second, Romantic poems often celebrate individualism, freedom, and rights, reflecting the revolutions that had occurred in America and France around these issues. In this poem, Blake refers to "the mind forg'd manacles," ways of thinking that keep the everyday people of London bound to a less than satisfactory existence. By using these words, he suggests his desire that people would break free and live up to their potential as human beings. Third, Romantic poetry is known for its strong feelings and emotions. Words such as "marks of woe," "every cry of every Man," "every infant's cry of fear," "appalls," "sigh," "curse," "blights," and "plagues" evoke intense emotions in the reader mirroring the deep feelings that Blake had on his subject. Characterizing the couple's marriage as a "hearse" also arouses strong feelings. Because of its attention to the common man and childhood, its interest in individualism and freedom, and its passion, "London" represents Romantic literature well.
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