William Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper"

Victoria Becker
William Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper"
English 12-1

1) I feel that both of these poems promote social change. Blake wrote these two poems in different forms but I feel they still appeal to the emotions and imagination of many people. In "The Chimney Sweeper: The Songs of Innocence" is very dark and gloomy. It highlights the young children awaiting death and wanting a better life. They feel that if they work hard during this lifetime they will be rewarded in heaven. An example from the text is: "locked up in a coffin of black". These children were very confused about what was happening to them. They were facing terrible hardships and didn't know how to express their emotions. In "The Chimney Sweeper: The Songs of Experience" it goes into detail about how the children are in emotional pain because of the fact that their parents sent them to work in these homes. They say that even though they are playing and laughing they do suffer ("they think they have done me no injury"). This is a different type of suffering because it is deep and mental. This is the main reason why I feel that these poems could have promoted social change. I can see parents reading these poems and feeling compassion for these young children because their parents (people that are supposed to be looking out for their well-being) are placing them in these horrible conditions. Unlike the typical poem or notice about the conditions, Blake took this a step further and made it connect to our feelings and emotions.

2) I think that the editors included the Parliament transcript as a primary source document because its straightforward, first-hand experience to what these children went through. Since it was a public transcript, documents like this could have been used by Blake as research for his poems. Sometimes it is easier for people to read a transcript or facts instead of trying to interpret the poem. This is a true example of the "voice of the people". It doesn't really affect or alter my interpretation of Blake's poem, it actually highlights my opinions more. I noticed that Blake only focused on the mental deterioration of the children and this transcript centers on the physical, grueling conditions.