Energy in Blake's Poetry

Paper Summary:

The paper looks at Blake's "Songs of Innocence", specifically, "the Echoing Green" and "Laughing Song" where the natural energy of joy is conveyed. The paper explains that because innocence has not yet been veiled by materiality it can express itself freely through cheerful singing, children plays, free love and other qualities which belong to innocence. The paper contrasts this to the Blake's "Songs of Experience" where the individual is oppressed by repressive forces of society and the material world robs his natural energy, characterized by freedom. The paper refers to the poem "The Chimney Sweeper" to portray how children are no longer soft, innocent and protected creatures but are presented as victims.

From the Paper:

"In the state of innocence, it is definitely a positive energy, which is perfectly natural. Characters live according to their nature and therefore their natural energy is not restrained. This is particularly noticeable in poems such as "the Ecchoing Green", in which the cycle of a day is portrayed. The children are playing joyfully; this is the image of beings living according to their natural energy and unrestrained instinct. The entire scene bathes in delight and harmony. The presence of an elderly figure, "Old John with white hair" and the quadruple use of the possessive "our" reinforces this sense of natural harmony (harmony between generations)."

More papers on Energy in Blake's Poetry:

• Analytical Essay # 1178 : "God and the Human Spirit in the Poetry of William Blake"
• Comparison Essay # 73679 : "Loss Of Innocence In Blake And Komunyakaa"
• Comparison Essay # 129876 : "Decline of Formalism in Modern Poetry"

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