The poem I chose was “London” by William Blake, the reason I selected this poem was because it questions humanity and the negative aspects of the industrial revolution which has caused hopelessness. A pair of lines that seems particularly meaningful was, “How the chimney-sweeper’s cry Every blackening Church appalls..” William was referring to the horrors of child labor and exploitation during the industrial revolution, innocent children who were supposed to be free were instead crying because they had been exploited for labor. This line conveyed the message of losing faith in humanity by referring to the smoke of chimney which was blackening the Church. It connects to the overall theme of the poem by showing sadness and pain in one of the most industrialized cities which was oppressing its own people.
Sangey, thanks for these thoughtful comments. Can you say more about how Blake might be connecting the plight of the chimney sweeper to the Church?