Evaluate the poem “London” as a lyric.
“London” (1794) by William Blake (1757-1827) is a beautiful yet sad poem. It is like a song that tells a deep story about the city of London long ago. Blake uses simple but strong words to share what he sees and feels as he walks through the city.
This poem is a good example of a lyric poem. A lyric poem expresses the poet’s emotions. It is usually short and sounds like music when read aloud. In “London,” Blake shares his feelings about the sadness and problems he sees around him. The poem is full of strong feelings that make us think and feel deeply. Blake talks about seeing sad faces everywhere he goes. He hears the cries of men and children. He talks about the dirty and dark sides of the city. He writes about how the church, the government, and other big powers do not help the people. Instead, they make life harder.
The poem has four stanzas. Each stanza has four lines. This simple structure helps Blake’s strong message stand out. The rhyme and rhythm in the poem make it sound like a sad song. In “London,” Blake uses his poem to show us a picture of a city full of pain and control. He makes us feel the sadness of the people living there. This poem is a powerful way to share deep feelings about important issues. It makes us think about how people are treated and how society works. Blake’s poem is a strong voice from the past that still speaks to us today.