And mark in every face I meet

Explain the following:

“And mark in every face I meet

Marks of weakness, marks of woe.”

William Blake’s (1757-1827) poem “London” (1794) paints a vivid picture of the city’s dark and gloomy streets. In his journey, Blake notices the sadness and struggle in the people he sees. These lines from the poem are especially touching:

“And mark in every face I meet

Marks of weakness, marks of woe.”

Here, Blake tells us about the deep signs of suffering he sees on everyone’s faces. He uses the word “mark” twice to emphasize the strong impact of this pain and sadness. When he says “in every face I meet,” it shows us that no one is free from this hardship. Everyone in London seems to be carrying a heavy burden.

The “marks of weakness” suggest that the people are physically and mentally tired. Life in the city is hard, and it wears them down. The “marks of woe” tell us about their deep sadness. Perhaps they are sad because life is so tough and they feel trapped.

These words are powerful. They make us think about how hard life can be for some people. Blake’s simple but strong words help us feel the weight of the sadness and struggle faced by the people of London. This poem is a reminder to always look beyond the surface and see the real struggles that people might be hiding. It makes us think about how we can help make things better for everyone.