With the invention of the steam engine by James Watt, a new area began in Britain. First factories opened, and the people from the country moved to the cities to find work there. More great inventions were made. Now more and more products could be produced within shorter time. Originally, all these machines were created to facilitate the work for the people, to make their lifes easier. But the living standards did not get better for all people. One can read in many history books about dates of the industrial revolution, and about the names of the inventors. When we want to get to know something about the social life in London at about 1800, we need to look for books which document the living conditions of the people. These documents give an authetic image of the life of the ordinary people in the city. When reading the two poems London by William Blake and Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802 by William Wordsworth it becomes clear that the impressions the poets got of the city are very different. What did London really look like at the beginning of the nineteenth century? Why did these poets see it so differently? This can be shown by analysing the two poems, and comparing them to eachother with reference to the documented real living conditions at that time.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Two very different Impressions of London
- "London" by William Blake
- "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802" by William Wordsworth
- Comparison of the two poems with reference to the documented living conditions
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to analyze and compare the contrasting perspectives of William Blake and William Wordsworth on London at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The analysis uses both the poems themselves and historical documentation of living conditions to understand the poets' differing impressions.
- Contrasting portrayals of London in the works of Blake and Wordsworth
- The impact of the Industrial Revolution on London's social fabric
- Analysis of poetic techniques and stylistic devices used to convey the poets' viewpoints
- Comparison of the poems' depictions of London with documented historical evidence
- Exploration of the social and emotional state of Londoners during this era
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by discussing the Industrial Revolution's impact on Britain, particularly the mass migration to cities and the resulting social changes. It highlights the disparity between technological advancements and the improvements in living standards for all, emphasizing the need to examine primary sources like the poems of Blake and Wordsworth to understand the complexities of life in London around 1800. The chapter establishes the central question: Why do the poets' portrayals of London differ so significantly?
Two very different Impressions of London: This chapter presents an overview of the two contrasting poetic perspectives on London. It initially introduces William Blake's "London," emphasizing its stylistic elements such as the repetition of "charter'd," the use of "mark" in different grammatical functions, and the anaphora in the second stanza. The chapter then delves into the symbolism and deeper meanings of Blake's poem, connecting the images of oppression, suffering, and the church's complicity with historical realities. The use of metonymy, personification, and oxymoron to enhance the poem's gloomy and despairing tone is also explored. The chapter serves as a bridge, providing the framework for comparing both poems.
"London" by William Blake: This section offers an in-depth analysis of Blake's "London." It meticulously examines the poem's structure, stylistic devices (repetition, anaphora, metonymy, personification, oxymoron), and symbolism. It connects these elements to the poem's central theme – the pervasive suffering and social injustice in London during the Industrial Revolution – providing specific examples like the "mind-forg'd manacles" and the criticism of the church's inaction. The chapter further explores how the poem's culminating imagery of disease and death intensifies the sense of despair. References to supporting scholarly works illuminate the historical context and the interpretation of the poem's ambiguities.
"Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802" by William Wordsworth: This section provides a detailed examination of Wordsworth's sonnet, contrasting it with Blake's pessimistic vision. It analyzes the poem's structure (sonnet form, rhyme scheme), its imagery (sunrise over London), and the overall tone of quiet beauty and awe. The chapter explores how Wordsworth's perspective emphasizes the city's grandeur and serene aspects, juxtaposing this with the grim realities portrayed by Blake. The analysis highlights the differences in poetic approach and the contrasting ways the poets perceive and depict the same urban landscape.
Keywords
William Blake, William Wordsworth, Industrial Revolution, London, poetry, social commentary, poetic analysis, stylistic devices, historical context, contrasting perspectives, urban landscape, suffering, oppression, social injustice.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Blake and Wordsworth's Visions of London
What is the main focus of this academic work?
This work compares and contrasts the contrasting perspectives of William Blake and William Wordsworth on London at the beginning of the nineteenth century. It uses their poems and historical documentation of living conditions to understand their differing impressions.
What poems are analyzed in this work?
The analysis centers on two poems: William Blake's "London" and William Wordsworth's "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802."
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the contrasting portrayals of London by Blake and Wordsworth; the impact of the Industrial Revolution on London's social fabric; analysis of poetic techniques and stylistic devices; comparing the poems' depictions with historical evidence; and exploring the social and emotional state of Londoners during that era.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The work is structured with an introduction, a chapter comparing the two poems, individual in-depth analyses of each poem, and a conclusion. It also includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
How does the analysis approach Blake's "London"?
The analysis of Blake's "London" meticulously examines its structure, stylistic devices (repetition, anaphora, metonymy, personification, oxymoron), and symbolism. It connects these elements to the poem's central theme – the pervasive suffering and social injustice in London during the Industrial Revolution – providing specific examples. The chapter explores how the poem's imagery intensifies the sense of despair and references supporting scholarly works.
How does the analysis approach Wordsworth's "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge"?
The analysis of Wordsworth's sonnet contrasts it with Blake's pessimistic vision. It analyzes the poem's structure (sonnet form, rhyme scheme), imagery (sunrise over London), and overall tone of quiet beauty and awe. The chapter highlights the differences in poetic approach and how the poets perceive and depict the same urban landscape.
What historical context is considered?
The analysis considers the impact of the Industrial Revolution on Britain, particularly mass migration to cities and resulting social changes. It emphasizes the disparity between technological advancements and improvements in living standards, highlighting the need to examine primary sources to understand the complexities of life in London around 1800.
What stylistic devices are analyzed?
The analysis examines various stylistic devices used in both poems, including repetition, anaphora, metonymy, personification, oxymoron, and the use of sonnet form and rhyme scheme in Wordsworth's poem.
What is the overall conclusion of the work?
The overall conclusion synthesizes the findings from the individual poem analyses and the historical context, ultimately drawing a conclusion about the significantly differing portrayals of London presented by Blake and Wordsworth and the reasons for these differences.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include William Blake, William Wordsworth, Industrial Revolution, London, poetry, social commentary, poetic analysis, stylistic devices, historical context, contrasting perspectives, urban landscape, suffering, oppression, and social injustice.
- Citation du texte
- Katharina Ochsenfahrt (Auteur), 2008, London during the Industrial Revolution, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/123130
