Blake describes innocence and experience as “the two contrary states of the human soul.” What do you think he means by this?
In contrast to experience, which stands for learning new things and coming to comprehend the complexities of life, innocence stands for a state of unadulterated purity, joy, and simplicity that is unimpaired by the harsh realities of the outer world. Blake believed that these states were in constant opposition to one another and that their interaction may lead to growth and better understanding. His books use this contrast to critique societal norms and the restricting aspects of organized religion, urging readers to reflect on their own path to moral and spiritual enlightenment through the rapprochement of two polar opposite states inside themselves and in society.
