Understanding ideas of power and corruption in Blake's 'London'
I can explain how William Blake presents power in society in 18th century London.
Understanding ideas of power and corruption in Blake's 'London'
I can explain how William Blake presents power in society in 18th century London.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Blake’s poem ‘London’ is a condemnation of the inequality and oppression that pervaded society in 18th century London.
- 'London' is taken from Blake's‘ Songs of Innocence and Experience’, which investigates how society corrupts innocence.
- Blake was critical of social inequality created by institutions: the Church, Government and the Monarchy.
- In the poem, Blake highlights the effects of the inaction of greedy and selfish leaders on the vulnerable.
- Blake was a radical, inspired by the French Revolution to warn about the restrictions on freedom and imagination.
Keywords
Oppression - a situation in which people are ruled or governed in an unfair way
Authority - the power or right to give orders
Corrupt - immoral or dishonest
Industrialisation - the process of transforming an economy from one which relies on traditional farming methods, to one which relies on factories and machinery
Radical - someone who believes there should be extreme social and/or political change
Common misconception
Students often think that, because society was very religious in the 18th century, that Blake must have been a devout Christian too.
Blake was extremely opposed to mass worship and hated the fact that religion was allied with the Government - he felt this gave institutions the ability to control and oppress people.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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