Understanding the poem 'London'
I can explain how Blake presents oppression and corruption in society in his poem ‘London’.
Understanding the poem 'London'
I can explain how Blake presents oppression and corruption in society in his poem ‘London’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Blake explores the tensions between the human passions and the repressive nature of social and political conventions
- ‘Songs of Innocence and Experience’ investigates how society corrupts innocence
- Blake was critical of social inequality created by institutions: the Church, Government, the monarchy
- Across ‘Songs of Innocence and Experience’ he highlights the effect of the inaction of callous leaders on the vulnerable
- Blake was a radical, inspired by Rousseau and the French Revolution, to warn about the restrictions on freedom
Keywords
Oppression - when people are governed in an unfair, cruel way
Corruption - illegal, immoral behaviour by those in power
Complicit - involved in immoral activity
Chartered - land that was once held in common but is now privately owned and controlled
Manacles - another word for handcuffs; used to restrain prisoners
Common misconception
Pupils might first read the poem as entirely literal. e.g. "black'ning church" refers to pollution of the industrial revolution.
Several ideas are metaphorical or symbolic in the poem. E.g. Blake refers to the corruption of the church (the church is also symbolic of religion as a whole).
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding the poem 'London', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding the poem 'London', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the 'Power and Conflict' unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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