In this study of the poems, a contradiction is presented between the states of innocence and experience, which are two phases that all individuals must undergo. It showcases the contrasting naturalistic world of childhood and the world of corruption. The poem “The Chimney Sweeper” is situated amidst the grim backdrop of child labor, a widespread issue in England during the late 18th and 19th century.
The poems titled “Chimney Sweeper in Innocence and Experience” present differing perspectives on human life: one from a state of innocence and one from a state of experience. In the state of innocence, we observe things with a fresh perspective, marveling at natural objects and appreciating their beauty through the eyes of a child. Through these poems, Blake aims to raise awareness about the exploitation of many children who worked as chimney sweepers in England’s cities. He expresses his dismay at the dire circumstances faced by the majority of chimney sweepers, while criticizing society and the church for turning a blind eye to their suffering.
In society, innocent children suffer from the harsh treatment of adults, causing them great distress. Although there is hope for the future, it is important for readers to recognize the need for action to improve the lives of these children. In terms of the history of children’s poetry, from 1715 to 1804, there was a lack of genuine poems written specifically for young minds. Isaac Watts did write “Divine and Moral Songs in Easy Language” in 1715, which is a collection of short poems meant for children. However, there were few other notable works written during this time period.
After Watts, the creators of the moral tale in verse were Ann and Jane Taylor, but there are three distinct writers in the period from 1715 to 1804 who made verses for and about children. These writers are John Merchant, Nathaniel Cotton, and William Blake. Initially, William Blake was not well-known among young minds in that period. However, his poems eventually gained recognition and acclaim in the world of children’s verses, surpassing previous barriers of neglect and indifference.
Blake’s “Songs of Innocence” is a compilation of poems that capture the pure and untainted experience of life, as seen through the eyes of a child. These poems convey the pure joy and happiness that comes from a life free of darkness and shadows. The collection “Songs of Innocence and Experience” was published together in 1724 and includes several pairs of poems. The first section, “Songs of Innocence,” sets the tone and mood for the entire collection, starting with the poem “Introduction.”
The initial series of the poem portrays the joyful elements and games of childhood. However, as it progresses towards the more profound subject of “Experience,” intricate imageries and symbols are introduced. The chimney sweepers symbolize destitution as they are sold by their parents to clean soot. The suffocating soot clinging to their bodies is perceived by the boy as a coffin in his dream. This aligns with Freud’s theory that children see their unfulfilled desires in waking life being fulfilled in their dreams, which is evident in this scenario.
The young boy’s feeling of not having a father and not receiving proper care from his parents causes him pain. He fantasizes about having a father who would be kind, protective, and loving. However, when he faces the reality of daylight, he realizes that if everyone fulfills their responsibilities patiently, there is no need to fear harm. This study examines the discontentment experienced by children and the society’s misguided judgment towards them. While Blake was writing his second series of poems called “Songs of Experience,” he included several poems that were previously part of his “Songs of Innocence.”
The presentation of the chimney sweeper’s views and attitudes differ in the two sides of the story: innocence and experience. Blake portrays these differences in Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. The child-like voice of the chimney sweeper opens Songs of Innocence. However, the first words of the poem contradict its classification as innocent, as they mention a mother’s death. Blake further reinforces this feeling in the second line by stating that the child was sold by his father at a very young age. On the other hand, in Songs of Experience, the parents of the sweeper are alive but have gone to the Church to pray.
However, in the experience version of this poem, the boy is initially described as “A little black thing,” completely dehumanizing him. The fact that he stands “among the snow” creates a stark contrast with his appearance. The snow also symbolizes the bleakness and death that surrounds the child, as well as possibly representing the cold and uncaring world in which he lives. Additionally, at the age of four or five, boys were often sold to clean chimneys due to their small size. It was not uncommon to see these children sweeping soot from chimneys even while a fire burned below in the fireplace. It was witnessing these inhumane activities that inspired Blake to write this poem.
The poem “The Chimney Sweeper” by William Blake serves as a plea for social justice. Within the section “The Chimney Sweeper” from his work “Innocence,” there is a stark contrast between the suffering, tears, exploitation, and oppression that Tom Dacre endures, and his childlike innocence which allows him to remain unaware of his dire situation and the widespread injustice in society. Tom Dacre’s imagination transports him on a beautiful journey, dreaming of being nurtured and cared for by his Heavenly Father.
William Blake uses the personal tragedy of Tom Dacre’s hair being shaved off to create sympathy and raise awareness for neglected children in poverty. This symbolizes the loss of innocence and the sacrifice these children make for society. The reference to lamb’s hair further emphasizes purity and ties into Christian themes. In the middle of the poem, there is a shift in tone as the children experience joy and laughter.
The poem explores the harsh existence of young children who are subjected to cruel treatment in industrialized England. Despite the poet’s observation that society shows little concern for the suffering of these boys, he believes that God will treat them compassionately. Blake depicts fathers driven by greed who sell their children for a meager sum and condemn them to a lifetime of agony. Due to the narrowness of the chimneys, only young children were employed as chimney sweeps. In general, all factory workers suffered from the unhealthy conditions prevalent in these establishments.
The workers were treated with no dignity, as if they were animals. They were required to wake up during the night and work tirelessly until noon, sweeping chimneys. Their soot was collected in bags, turning them into little black figures. At home, their living conditions were poor, with uncomfortable beds and inadequate food. Their pay was incredibly low and their health was not a concern to anyone. Tom’s dream accurately portrays the harsh reality of their lives. The soot-covered coffins represent the thick layer of soot that clung to their bodies after chimney sweeping. This term “coffin” also symbolizes the life-threatening danger that the young boys faced in their work.
Tom envisions the sweeps being confined and sealed within a dark casket, however, their imprisonment is not eternal. The angel, possessing radiant keys, sets them free and they proceed to frolic and rejoice in the sky. In this heavenly abode, their purity remains intact through the aid of God. Similar to the “little black boy” who endures injustice in the mortal realm but attains justice in the afterlife, the chimney sweepers undergo immense suffering on earth but will eventually experience liberation and delight in the clouds thanks to the angel. This examination reveals that Tom’s dream instills in him a sense of anticipation for a marvelous existence that awaits him.
His unwavering belief in God serves as his sole source of hope and inspiration. In a way, this final stanza can be seen as both a conclusion and a separate entity, showcasing Tom’s desperate longing for freedom and vitality. The optimistic perspective, cherished by Tom, proves to be unattainable in reality. Blake focuses on the untainted innocence of children and the heavenly bliss of engaging in playful activities in “Innocence”. Within this section, we witness the unbounded freedom the children experience as they play until their contentment is fulfilled.
They communicate with animals such as lambs and sheep that are just as innocent as they are. This heavenly environment surrounds them during their childhood. The pure world of innocence also assigns them guardian angels to protect them. Blake is not solely indifferent to the cruel treatment of children in society. Both the little black boy and the chimney sweeper grieve over their circumstances. However, what sets them apart from the world of adulthood is that, in all of these poems that reveal society’s hostility, there is a conclusion.
Blake’s perspective rescues children from the cyclical pattern of sin and brings them back to God’s heavenly realm. His viewpoint also incorporates the idea of God as both a child and a lamb, forming a trinity. The imagery he uses in his depiction of Innocence is simple, ordinary, and related to the pastoral. Angels are present in these scenes, interacting and communicating with children. In Innocence, we can hear the cheerful and melodious singing of birds like wrens in the green fields and gardens. The pastoral setting is bright and filled with birds in flight and the sound of resonant bells. The challenge with these songs lies in their uniquely innocent nature.
This lack of simplicity does not stem from the innocence of childhood or lack of experience; it arises from a complete absence of experience. Blake’s critique of the “perishing vegetable memory” as a poor substitute for inspiration, and his preference for the “Eternal Image” over the physical object, are applicable in this context. The symbolism and aesthetic appeal of the text are enhanced by the interplay of different elements. Within his poems, the lamb is representative of God.
“The Echoing Green” portrays more than just a joyful day; it symbolically represents the “Day of Innocence” from sunrise to sunset. “Infant Joy”, “The Little Black Boy”, and “Laughing Song” symbolize the three stages of Innocence – infancy, childhood, and youth. Meanwhile, “A Cradle Song”, “Nurse’s Song”, and “Holy Thursday” symbolize the same three stages of human life but in relation to society. The remaining poems delve even deeper into the human soul’s pursuit of self-realization, all carrying significant symbolic meaning. Notably, Blake’s book consists of two contrasting sections called “Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience,” constituting a unified design.
The first part envisions a state of innocence, while the second part depicts the challenges and destruction of this state. In the World of experience, we do not find the pure joy and innocence, but instead, it obscures the childlike innocence and introduces negative forces. Blake includes poems in the “Songs of Experience” that provide contrasting perspectives to their counterparts in the Songs of Innocence, exemplifying the extent of this disruption.
In “Nurse’s Song,” the poet describes children playing freely until nighttime, highlighting the symbolic importance of untainted imagination. However, in the realm of the “Songs of Experience,” this joyful play is contrasted with bitter and envious age, unable to partake in festivities and freedom.
It teases the children, hinting at the closing darkness and sees plays as a whiling away of time. The first and most fearful thing about experience is that it scatters and deranges the imaginative life and puts in its place a dark, cold, and deterring frightful concern and anxiety. In a majority of the cares repression, jealousy, cruelty, and lovelessness are the dominant elements. In experience, even the parents seem to be indifferent to the sufferings of their children.
They sell them for a small amount of money and make them work as chimney sweeps. Similarly, the parents perceive the birth of a child as a burden. In the realm of Experience, the human heart becomes a “pebble of the book” and transforms love into a insincere and selfish craving for profession. In “Songs of Experience,” the child places all responsibility for his situation on his parents, which is understandable since children, in their utterly dependent state, naturally perceive their parents as nearly omnipotent.
The first stanza of the poem portrays an observer encountering a child chimney sweeper who has been left behind in the snow while his parents attend Church. However, instead of referring to the child, the stanza describes him as “A little black thing among the snow”. This imagery hints at the corruption and loss of innocence that the child has experienced. William Blake’s message is not solely directed at parents who make their children work, but rather at the wealthy and powerful individuals who exploit the poor and helpless. The King, who revels in his wealth and comfort, does so at the expense of his subjects. Similarly, the Priest finds enjoyment in his own labor. Ultimately, Blake suggests that God, as the creator, bears responsibility for this unjust world.
Blake condemns the injustice of late 18th century British society and a world that allows such injustice to exist by illustrating the abuse of a child by his parents. The child’s parents, who are supposed to be worshipping God, neglect their own child and instead find solace at church. This irony is further emphasized in the first stanza when the chimney sweeper is covered in a black shroud of soot.
The color black holds significance as it symbolizes the wrongdoing committed against purity, contrasting the white snow. During a child’s formative years, they are fortunate to receive loving care from their parents. However, this vital affectionate support is withheld from the chimney sweeper. It is the responsibility of parents to shield their children from harm and difficulties. Yet, the parents of the chimney sweeper disregard their child and instead attend to their prayers. Even the clothes given to the child by their parents are garments of death, lacking any protective purpose.
The text highlights the parents’ appreciation for God and the priest and king who turn the child’s sufferings into a heavenly experience. Both poems incorporate imagery, with the child in Songs of Innocence stating, “in soot I sleep”. This line can be interpreted as either the boy lacking proper clothes and having to sleep in his dusty attire, or being so exhausted that he inadvertently fell asleep while working. Additionally, names like Tom, Dick, and Joe are used in the “Songs of Innocence” poem, suggesting the boy’s cheerful nature and his camaraderie with others in the profession.
Both poems, Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience, depict chimney sweepers. In Songs of Innocence, the child sweeper appears to not perceive chimney sweeping negatively, as he seems to enjoy it and views it as a social activity with friends. However, in Songs of Experience, the absence of names suggests a different perspective – the child sweeper sees the job as more imprisoning than lighthearted. By comparing the two poems, a contrast between the two perspectives becomes evident. One interesting similarity found in this study is the use of the spoken words “weep! Weep!” which symbolizes the cry of the chimney sweepers’ trade.
However, in both poems, the connotations of weeping or crying can also be observed. This is highlighted in “experience” through the phrase “in notes of woe” and in “innocence” through the phrase “could scarcely cry”. These instances indicate the boy’s dire situation caught between the opposing states of the human soul: innocence and experience. In analyzing innocence, we uncover additional connections to its essence. By employing a real name, “Tom Dacre,” which is a rarely utilized technique by Blake, a more intimate bond is established between the sweeper and the reader.
The study reveals that Tom’s hair was shaved and it used to curl like a lamb’s hair. This creates a feeling of pity, as the lamb symbolizes pure innocence, indicating that Tom is innocent. The line “soot can not spoil your white hair” further connects to the experienced version, symbolizing purity and divinity instead of harsh conditions. In the next three stanzas of the innocence poem, Blake describes the vision that Tom had while he was asleep.
Tom witnesses a multitude of sweepers confined in black coffins, which deviates from Blake’s customary style for innocence poems. Nevertheless, the “locked” coffins and their ominous connotation heighten the sense of impending doom. This stands in contrast to the angel’s utilization of a “bright key” to unlock the coffins, abruptly revealing the innocent essence of the poem through divine intervention. The concluding stanza of this reverie once again establishes a connection to concepts of purity and the Bible, particularly the unabashed state of Adam and Eve prior to their expulsion from paradise.
This paragraph emphasizes the central idea of innocence. The angel addresses Tom directly, assuring him that if he remains virtuous, he will always have the love and joy of God. This concept offers solace to a child who lacks parental guidance, even though this future happiness may only be realized in death. This somber notion pervades the poem and reflects religious beliefs that despite present challenges, eternal bliss awaits in the afterlife.
The final concept of the poem suggests the notion of “if everyone fulfills their duties, they have no reason to fear harm.” William Blake has depicted two contrasting ideas when describing the plight of a chimney sweeper. Both versions acknowledge the bleak and unsatisfying life of the child in a harsh and unsympathetic world, portrayed through Blake’s symbolic language. His Songs of Experience reveals a gloomy and negative world. This poem also appears to be quite judgmental and ascribes motives to everything, unlike Songs of www. iosrjournals. org 29 | Page
Treatment of children in William Blake’s “Chimney Sweeper Innocence” reveals that the sweeper in this poem is unable to escape his misery. Additionally, Blake criticizes the Church for its lack of action towards the deaths of many children during this time, either due to overwork or malnutrition. The disregard shown by the state and the church is the primary reason behind Blake’s intense anger towards them. Furthermore, the sweeper’s parents’ neglect of their children is highlighted, posing the question of why they choose to ignore their own child despite worshipping God, who is believed to represent goodness.
They prefer to ignore the situation and seek love in church instead. In his Songs of Innocence, Blake suggests the existence of an afterlife that will compensate for the difficulties faced by the chimney sweeper, encouraging him to remain optimistic. The analysis of the Songs of Experience demonstrates a very impactful poem that reveals Blake’s anger towards society during that period. He utilized his poems to raise awareness of the suffering endured by people at that time. This study also reveals that Blake wrote two separate books to create a more comprehensive impact. Through this study, it becomes evident that Songs of Innocence portrayed a perception that everything was fine, whereas Songs of Experience aimed to open everyone’s eyes.
References
- Speak Silence: Rhetoric and Culture in Blake’s Poetical Sketches. Ed. Mark L. Greenberg. (Wayne State Univ Press, 1996).
- William Blake: Poet and Painter. Jean H. Hagstrum. (University of Chicago Press, 1964).
- William Blake: His Life and Work. Jack Lindsay. (Constable, 1978)
- The Stranger from Paradise: A Biography of William Blake. G. E. Bentley, Jr. (Yale Univ Press, 2003)
