Understanding the poem 'London'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Blake presents oppression and corruption in society in his poem ‘London’.
Key learning points
- Blake explores the tensions between the human passions and the repressive nature of social and political conventions
- ‘Songs of Innocence and Experience’ investigates how society corrupts innocence
- Blake was critical of social inequality created by institutions: the Church, Government, the monarchy
- Across ‘Songs of Innocence and Experience’ he highlights the effect of the inaction of callous leaders on the vulnerable
- Blake was a radical, inspired by Rousseau and the French Revolution, to warn about the restrictions on freedom
Keywords
Oppression - when people are governed in an unfair, cruel way
Corruption - illegal, immoral behaviour by those in power
Complicit - involved in immoral activity
Chartered - land that was once held in common but is now privately owned and controlled
Manacles - another word for handcuffs; used to restrain prisoners
Common misconception
Pupils might first read the poem as entirely literal. e.g. "black'ning church" refers to pollution of the industrial revolution.
Several ideas are metaphorical or symbolic in the poem. E.g. Blake refers to the corruption of the church (the church is also symbolic of religion as a whole).
Teacher tip
On the first read of the poem, reveal one stanza of the poem at a time and ask pupils to summarise what they think is going on.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the below could be considered conventions of Romantic literature?
Q2.What precisely defines child labour?
Q3.What exactly was the Industrial Revolution?
Q4.Which of the below is an example of corruption?
Q5.What was the French Revolution?
Q6.How might a Romantic poet feel about the French Revolution?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word suggests that nature is controlled in the poem 'London'?
Q2.How does Blake suggest the citizens of London are oppressed in his poem 'London'?
Q3.What does the repetition of the word ''every'' in the poem 'London' suggest?
Q4.What did the French Revolution show?
Q5.Which is the most nuanced interpretation of the quote: "How the Chimney-sweeper’s cry/Every blackning Church appalls’’ taken from Blake's 'London'?
Q6.How does Blake criticise religion in the poem 'London'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding the poem 'London', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding the poem 'London', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the 'Power and Conflict' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.