Understanding ideas of power and corruption in Blake's 'London'
I can explain how William Blake presents power in society in 18th century London.
Understanding ideas of power and corruption in Blake's 'London'
I can explain how William Blake presents power in society in 18th century London.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Blake’s poem ‘London’ is a condemnation of the inequality and oppression that pervaded society in 18th century London.
- 'London' is taken from Blake's‘ Songs of Innocence and Experience’, which investigates how society corrupts innocence.
- Blake was critical of social inequality created by institutions: the Church, Government and the Monarchy.
- In the poem, Blake highlights the effects of the inaction of greedy and selfish leaders on the vulnerable.
- Blake was a radical, inspired by the French Revolution to warn about the restrictions on freedom and imagination.
Keywords
Oppression - a situation in which people are ruled or governed in an unfair way
Authority - the power or right to give orders
Corrupt - immoral or dishonest
Industrialisation - the process of transforming an economy from one which relies on traditional farming methods, to one which relies on factories and machinery
Radical - someone who believes there should be extreme social and/or political change
Common misconception
Students often think that, because society was very religious in the 18th century, that Blake must have been a devout Christian too.
Blake was extremely opposed to mass worship and hated the fact that religion was allied with the Government - he felt this gave institutions the ability to control and oppress people.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding ideas of power and corruption in Blake's '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 ideas of power and corruption in Blake's '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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Poetry anthology unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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