a line of poetry including four beats of one unstressed syllable followed by a second stressed syllable

a poem written in the form of speech of an individual character

when two different things are placed together for contrasting effect

disappointment and lost faith over something once regarded as good

Analysing the poem 'London'

English

In 'Poetry anthology', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems. In 'Poetry anthology continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons between poems.

In 'A World at War: Poetry', pupils explore how poets presents the atrocities of World War One through their poetry. In 'Poetry anthology', pupils analyse how a variety of different wars have been presented through poetry.

Poetry anthology: first study

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction of scary, confusing or unsettling events or characters placed in danger, including creation of a scary atmosphere through the use of music and sound.

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Depiction or discussion of sex or sexual body parts, including sex education.

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Which word describes the rhyme scheme and the stanzas in the poem 'London'?

how deeply rooted the oppression in London is

What does the rigid structure of 'London' symbolise?

to show his hope for disruption of status quo, dissent and revolution

to show how the people were broken mentally and physically

Why might Blake have broken the iambic tetrameter throughout 'London'?

''new-born Infant's tear'' shows everyone can experience a rebirth

''mind-forg'd manacles'' shows people can decide to free themselves 

''runs in blood down palace walls'' shows how people can overthrow monarchy

How does Blake allude to the idea that the people of London may be oppressed but they have the power to emancipate themselves?

he emphasises inescapable oppression, even nature is controlled

he laments how marriages are being ruined

he mourns the deaths of the chimney sweepers

he laments how powerful institutions fail their humane duties

How does Blake show his disillusionment in 'London'?

Which word is repeated in 'London' that means owned and controlled?

the soot etched into the people's faces from sweeping chimneys

the imprint in history that the people want to make by having a revolution

What does the word ''marks'' suggest in the first stanza of 'London'?

The Industrial Revolution widened inequality in society which Blake criticises

The Industrial Revolution slowly began to improve London which Blake admires

Blake suggests the pollution from the Industrial Revolution is the worst ill

Why is the context of the Industrial Revolution important to the poem 'London'?

Blake disapproved of the violent ways in which monarchs were killed

Blake believed people should have more power than establishments

Blake advocates the idea that oppressed could reclaim power from the privileged 

Why is the context of the French Revolution important in the poem 'London'?

Many men sought prostitutes showing that human desire prevails over conventions

The ''new-born Infant's tear'' causes stress in marriages

Seeking prostitutes meant that infidelity and diseases often ruined marriages

How does Blake suggest that marriage is futile in 'London'?

He suggests they are complicit in child labour 

He suggests they are to blame for the deaths of soldiers

He suggests they control the river Thames

How does Blake suggest the corruption of religious establishments through his poem 'London'?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz