"The Human Abstract"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how, in "The Human Abstract", the poet William Blake muses that the virtues of orthodox, believing Christians and pious individuals in general are often founded upon making certain members of society impoverished and unhappy.

From the Paper:

"Blake's anger intensifies in the poem's second stanza. "And mutual fear brings peace;" he rages, in other words, the fear fostered in the hearts of the lower classes peace to his society, but it is a society that is not just. "Till the selfish loves increase. /Then Cruelty knits a snare, /And spreads his baits with care." The good, middle and upper class persons of society may feel society is peaceful, but it is only because it satisfies their selfish, self-love, and although they are unaware of it, they are ensnared by devilish cruelty. Cruelty, personified in the next stanza, "Sits down with holy fears./And waters the ground with tears" and any false, seemingly pious humility encouraged in the churches is really founded upon the cruelty that keeps the system of injustices in place and merely addresses the aftereffects of injustice with small, half-hearted measures."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Blake, William. The Chimney Sweeper." Songs of Experience. Online Literature 16 Mar 2008. http://www.online-literature.com/blake/613/
• Blake, William. The Chimney Sweeper." Songs of Innocence. Online Literature 16 Mar 2008 http://www.online-literature.com/blake/628/
• Blake, William. "Jerusalem." Online Literature 16 Mar 2008 http://www.online-literature.com/blake/611/

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