Introduction (Songs of Innocence) : Literary devices
Introduction (Songs of Innocence) is a notable literary work by William Blake. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Introduction (Songs of Innocence).
Literary devices
Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds, e.g., “Piping down the valleys wild.”
Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds, e.g., “Sing thy songs of happy chear.”
Metaphor: The “cloud” symbolizes the child’s innocence.
Imagery: Vivid mental images are created throughout the poem. “Valleys Wild” and “On a cloud I saw a child” are examples.
Symbols
The Child: The child on the cloud stands for innocence. He is full of joy, hope, and trust in the world. He still knows that there is sadness and pain, but he believes things will be okay in the end. When he asks for a song about a lamb, it reminds us of baby Jesus (the lamb is a symbol of Jesus Christ). The child shows that innocence is about believing in goodness even when things are hard.
The Lamb: The lamb is a symbol of Jesus Christ. In Christian belief, Jesus is called the “Lamb of God” because he was kind and gentle, and because he sacrificed himself for others. The song about the lamb makes the child cry in happiness. The lamb may remind the child of both sadness and hope.