How is his work a commentary on the mores, religious temperament, and society in which he lived in late eighteenth century England? What aspects of this commentary are still relevant today?

William Blake’s three poems illustrate his criticism of religion and the societal norms of his time (late eighteenth century England). His first piece, the excerpt from “The Gates of Paradise”, demonstrates his belief that religion hinders his sense of individualism. This idea is shown when Blake refers to God as “the Accuser”, thus characterizing God as a critical “power” rather than an accepting one. His loss of freedom due to religious constraint is referred to in the phrase,”The lost Traveller’s Dream under the Hill.” Blake’s second poem, “London” comments on the sense of oppression within the English community, which is seen his description of a mother and her unwanted child. Both the child’s and the mother’s sense of distress characterizes society’s negative perception of the powers controlling them (Church and State). Blake’s last poem, “The Chimney Sweeper”, is a commentary of the abusive nature of the Church influencing the abusive nature of adults, who use religion as a means to unfairly treat their children. Blake also shows the resentment that these children have towards their parents and, in a bigger picture, towards society. Blake’s criticism is still relevant today in terms of separating religion and society. Like Blake, I believe that religion should have zero influence on the way the public is run due to the somewhat unfair practices associated with religion.