The Poetry of William Blake - 1806 Words

This essay will aim to show the relationship between Innocence and Experience in William Blakes Songs. Both Songs of Experience and Songs of Innocence serve as a mirror Blake held up to society, the Songs of Experience being the darker side of the mirror. Blakes Songs show two imaginative realms: The two sides to the human soul that are the states of Innocence and Experience. The two states serve as different ways of seeing. The world of innocence as Northrop Frye saw it encapsulated the unfallen world, the unified self, integration with nature, time in harmony with rhythm of human existence. Frye saw the world of Experience as a fallen world, with the fragmented and divided self, with total alienation with nature,†¦show more content†¦The poem The Lamb begins with the question Who made thee? The speaker is a child asking of the lambs genesis. The child begins to answer the questions in a riddle; he who Calls himself a lamb is meek and mild like a lamb. The childs innocence is highlighted with the question Who made thee? it is quite a straightforward question to ask. Yet at the same time the child is also asking questions adults have asked throughout time about our origins. Even though the poem is straightforward in style, because the child answers his own questions, a sense of perceptiveness is added, a foreshadowing of experience. Overall, however, the poem is quite one sided with Blake showing only the positive aspects of the Christian tenet. The Songs of Experience are much darker in tone. The poems point towards an austere reality, a bleaker view of creation itself. The poetry here is a lot more pessimistic and angry. The state of Innocence has progressed towards this state of Experience, where upheaval and menace lurks. Blakes vision is dialectical; the states of Innocence and Experience are interrelated. Blake argues that experience is not better or indeed more preferable to the state of innocence. Possibly Blakes most famous poem, entitled The Tyger, dominates Songs of Experience. The Tiger is seen to be a mixture of the striking and the perilous and a stark contrast to the vision of the lamb in Innocence. The Tiger exudes a raw sexual energy. ThisShow MoreRelatedWilliam Poetry Of William Blake And William Wordsworth1980 Words   |  8 Pagesdepends on the person. To some the definition is a time without any worry, to others, it is a more logical definition such as the period between infancy and adolescence. There are many versions of this definition, and this is seen in the poetry of William Blake and William Wordsworth. These two authors have different views on what it means to be a child and how they are portrayed in this era. Compared to now, Children in Blake’s eyes are seen as people that need guidance and need to be taught certain lessonsRead MoreCharacteristics Of Romantic Poetry By William Blake1051 Words   |  5 PagesEmily Woolverton Professor Balding English 2320 February 26, 2016 Characteristics of Romantic Poetry The start of the Romantics was the start of a new period in poetry. Romantic poetry developed after more and more people began to let their emotion become a bigger part of their life. These Romantics wanted to express how they felt, rather than what they thought about science and reason. This brought on the change in how genders, races, and different classes were viewed. Less people participatedRead MorePoetry Analysis Between Taylor Swift and William Blake976 Words   |  4 Pagestheme explored in many poems. The songs Long Live by Taylor Swift and the poems The Sick Rose and The Garden of Love by William Blake all question and explore the theme of love. The song, Long Live, by Taylor Swift, was written in 2010. At first listening to the song, we hear a fun, buoyant song about love, friendship and loss. However, careful analysis reveals a complex piece of poetry that relies on its strong imagery and upbeat tune to convey strong meaning to the audience. Essentially, the song isRead MoreWilliam Blake s The Tyger And Walt Whitman s Poetry841 Words   |  4 Pagesphilosophies of human nature are William Blake’s â€Å"The Tyger† and Walt Whitman’s â€Å"Song of Myself.† Blake’s poem is based off the Romantics and Walt Whitman is an American Naturalist that is based off free verse a form that he created. William Blake’s poetry is considered through the Romantics era and they access through the sublime. The Romantics poetry through the sublime is beyond comprehension and spiritual fullness. A major common theme is a nature (agnostic religion). In William Blake’s poem â€Å"The Tyger†Read MoreWilliam Blake s Poetry Of Innocence And Happiness1417 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Blake was a poet, painter, and engraver, who was born in Soho, London on November 28th 1757. Blake lived in London at a time of great political and social change. The Industrial Revolution took place in 1760, the American Revolution began in 1775, and the French Revolution began in 1789, and all of these revolutions greatly influenced William Blake’s writing. Blake wrote his world famous Songs of Innocence in 1789 and later combined it with additional poems titled Songs of Innocence and ofRead MoreWilliam Blake s Poetry : Relationship Between Innocence And Experience1078 Words   |  5 PagesMichelle Kasperski James Harr British Literature II March 5th, 2015 Title William Blake explores in-depth the relationship between innocence and experience in his work, Songs of Innocence and Experience and the resulting tension between these two contrasting states. Blake demonstrates those in a state of innocence are oblivious of that state, ignorant of any other state of consciousness. However, those aware of innocence cannot honestly envision it because their perceptions of reality have been coloredRead MoreEssay on Biography of William Blake1631 Words   |  7 Pagesinspire your work and success. William Blake was a famous artist, engraver and poet. However, it was not until 1863 that he became famous when Alexander Gilchrist published his biography(Blake, William, and Geoffrey Keynes).Blake and his poetry have been compared to Shakespeare (Kathleen Raine). As an artist Blake was equated to Michelangelo. Being born during the time of both the American and French Revolution, William Blake was against both the Church and the State. Blake was a Dualist, believing theRead MoreWilliam Wordsworth And The Echoing Green905 Words   |  4 Pagesresearching about poets in the Romantic period that created beautiful poetry filled with overflowing powerful feelings designed to capture the reader’s imagination in nature. These Poets often placed the literature they were studying into a documented context by discussing the important events in which the literary works were published (â€Å"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud† by William Wordsworth and â€Å"The Echoing Green† by William Blake). However these poets both use nature around them as a symbolic meaningRead MoreIn Many Ways, Poetry Has The Ability To Shape The Minds1226 Words   |  5 PagesIn many ways, poetry has the ability to shape the minds of people and their views on a certain subject. Throughout the ages, poets and writers have been a part of social and political change due to the written works presented to the public. One such poet was William Blake. His poet ry has inspired much change in both the past and the present. An analysis of â€Å"The Chimney Sweeper,† one of Blake’s most popular works, can help many to understand the significance of his work in a time period when socialRead MoreWilliam Blake s Innocence And Experience Analysis Essay1529 Words   |  7 PagesIsha Fidai Amber Drown English 2323 14 September 2016 William Blake s Innocence and Experience Analysis The Romantic Era was a movement in literature that began in the late seventeenth century throughout the eighteenth century that was mainly influenced by the natural world and idealism. Romanticism was predominantly focused on emotion and freedom emphasizing individualism. Formed as an uprising against neoclassicism, romanticism was more abstract, focusing on feelings and imaginations, instead

Established Wealth in The Great Gatsby - 1180 Words

The established wealthy have the ability to use their wealth however they desire. Their wealth is important to many people below them as it can give tremendous opportunities, which can equal monetary gain for the people. But, the established wealthy many time use their wealth and statues against people, as a way to not allow characters to advance in their social and economic position. Tom Buchannan is a prominent figure in The Great Gatsby who shows this selfishness as he utilizes the immense wealth that he has to take control of people situations. He is opposed to allowing people to advance their economic status. He shows his hesitation for advancement with his control over George B Wilson when he is dealing with the terms of selling his automobile. When George comments saying, â€Å"Works pretty slow, don’t he’ ‘No he doesn’t’ said Tom coldly. ‘And if you feel that way about it maybe I’d better sell it somewhere else after allâ€⠄¢ ‘I don’t mean that† explained Wilson quickly† (Fitzgerald 28). Toms defiance of, not selling his car, shows that the rich are limit the advancement of other’s to move higher up. This scenario is a microcosm of the higher American social environment, which the established wealthy try to limit the growth of peoples capital, and also limit the status of people below them. They feel that their position is of such a high value, gives them the authority to determine who advances, and who doesn’t, and the only way to be one of them is to be born into it. TheShow MoreRelatedThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald1223 Words   |  5 Pagesbeginning of the novel, Gatsby was recognized as a visionary who was charismatic, courteous, and very secretive. Once the plot began to unravel, the audience yearns for additional and further demand an explanation of the unidentified lifestyle: that everything he had been through in his career as Jay Gatsby had be en with the only determination of satisfying the utmost idealistic dreams — to relive his past. Jay Gatsby was in numerous aspects, as the name of the novel advocated, great, but when consideredRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1674 Words   |  7 PagesThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a novel that was published in 1925 which was a period known as the â€Å"roaring twenties†. During this period, America was witnessing a post war euphoria that was a companied by prosperity, glamour, self-indulgence and excessive consumption (Bloomfield, p. 17). According to Bourdieu, America at that time was going through a gaudiest spree in history that was characterized by a lot of social change and mobility (p.2). For example, the stock market was gettingRead MoreAspirations And Greatness : F. Scott Fitzgerald s The Great Gatsby 1436 Words   |  6 PagesAspirations and Greatness; The Case of Jay Gatsby Dedication and tenacity are examples of attributes that allow one to accomplish a societal label for effort shown towards attaining goals and dreams. Through his work The Great Gatsby, F.Scott Fitzgerald used the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, to demonstrate the American Dream and greatness. Gatsby was a mysterious character, commonly mistaken as a mere criminal; but actually, he was a victim of his perseverance and the American Dream. Despite his criminalRead MoreImmortality in The Great Gatsby Essay examples801 Words   |  4 Pages It may, but in the novel The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald money is what causes greed and death. The novel is filled with multiple themes but one predominate theme that the author focuses on is immorality. The novel was written in the1920s which was a time that drew away from social and moral values and yearned for its greed and empty pursuit of pleasure. Gatsby, gains his wealth through bootlegging only because he wants to show Daisy his we alth. Sadly, his determination for hisRead MoreEssay about A Critical Review of F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby1555 Words   |  7 PagesA Critical Review of F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a universal and timeless literary masterpiece. Fitzgerald writes the novel during his time, about his time, and showing the bitter deterioration of his time. A combination of the 1920s high society lifestyle and the desperate attempts to reach its illusionary goals through wealth and power creates the essence behind The Great Gatsby. Nick Carraway, the narrator, moves to a quaint neighborhoodRead MoreF. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby Essay1459 Words   |  6 PagesThe Great Gatsby, a highly acclaim American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, entails the demise of the American dream by means of drawing a parallel between Jay Gatsby, a character whom covers his inner qualities with the idealistic characteristics of the rich during the Roaring Twenties in order to obtain the affection go the beloved and deeply flawed Daisy. Regrettably, throughout his conquest for Daisy’s affection, Gatsby falsely presumes that through his accumulation of wealth he will be able toRead MoreThe Great Gatsby-Plaza Hotel987 Words   |  4 PagesThe Great Gatsby This passage from novel â€Å"The Great Gatsby† by F. Scott Fitzgerald occurs at the end of chapter seven, when Nick, Gatsby, Daisy, Tom and Jordan are at the Plaza Hotel in New York. It is the hottest day of the summer and Tom and Gatsby are in the middle of a quarrel, after Tom initiates a confrontation with Gatsby whereby he accuses Gatsby of running a bootlegging operation. This then turns into a quarrel over Daisy, which eventually results in Daisy feeling closer to Tom and awayRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald999 Words   |  4 PagesThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a glimpse into the lives of the high class of the roaring twenties through Nick Carraway’s, a simple man from the mid-west, eyes. This novel depicts the aspects of the American dream, and the truth about achieving it. The American dream has been portrayed through many books, movies, and such over time. The qualities of the American dream shown throughout The Great Gatsby, are hope and success. James Gatz, also known as Jay Gatsby, dedicated his life toRead More The Great Gatsby As A Tragedy Essay902 Words   |  4 PagesThe Great Gatsby As A Tragedy A hurried read of F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby can generate a tragic impression. The deaths of three of the main characters and the failure of Gatsby and Daisys romance can be viewed as tragic. However, a deeper analysis of the book reveals a much deeper tragedy. The relentless struggles of Gatsby himself parallel Fitzgeralds apparent ideas of the struggles of all Americans. The American dream romanticized by the majority of the population is reallyRead MoreThe Pursuit Of The American Dream By F. Scott Fitzgerald1653 Words   |  7 PagesAmerican Dream is only a dream that few can achieve. As shown in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s books, The Great Gatsby and This Side of Paradise, the pursuit of the American Dream proves to result in one’s demise. Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby and Amory Blaine in This Side of Paradise are unsuccessful in their attempt to attain the attention of the person they like, lose connections with people, and their wealth did not get them as far in life as they thought it would. In This Side of Paradise, Amory Blaine

Thatcherism free essay sample

It should be restricted to the bare essentials: defence of the realm and the currency. Everything else should be left to individuals, to exercise their own choices and take responsibility for their own lives. This was a revolutionary, even dangerous, notion to most postwar politicians. Central planning of industry and society had helped win the war. The only way to win the peace, it was believed by the leaders of both the Labour and Conservative parties, was to plan and control industry, vast swathes of which were owned by the state. Margaret Thatcher was not alone in rejecting state ownership of businesses and socialist central planning. Like other right-wingers of her generation, she had been influenced by The Road to Serfdom, by Austrian economist Friedrich Hayek, which warned of the danger of tyranny that inevitably results from government control of economic decision-making through central planning. But Hayeks brand of free-market economics was deeply out of favour in the 1950s and 1960s. It was only when the country had been crippled by industrial strife and decline that it began to look like a credible alternative. Thatcher belonged to a Conservative Party faction, headed by Keith Joseph, who were followers of Hayeks Austrian school of economics and were also heavily influenced by the theories of American economist Milton Friedman. Had Joseph become Conservative leader instead of Thatcher. which seemed the more likely outcome at the time, then something resembling Thatcherism might have emerged as the prevailing economic philosophy of the age. But it would not have been the same. It took Thatchers own background and personality, her belief in traditional family values and strong defence, her suspicion of an overmighty Europe and instinctive affinity with the US, to give shape and meaning to what we now know as Thatcherism. Taking her cue from Friedman, she advocated monetarism, controlling the money supply with high interest rates, to tame inflation without resorting to union-negotiated pay policies. Her battle against inflation led to mass unemployment, but despite that she managed to win a second general election. Low taxation was a key area where Thatcherism was applied. Under the previous Labour government, there had been high levels of income tax for high-earners, but Thatcher progressively cut income tax the basic rate of tax fell to 25%, while the higher rate was slashed from 83% to 40%. There was a shift away from direct taxation to indirect, for example by increasing VAT from 8% to 15%. Thatcherism also focused on rolling back the frontiers of the state. To that end, Thatcher introduced privatisation of state-owned industries, including British Telecom, British Gas, British Airways and electricity companies, putting them back into private hands. Such a retreat of the public sector from large areas of the industrial landscape would have seemed unthinkable a few years before, but were pushed through. Since Thatchers day, such privatisation has gone further, says Thatcher expert Professor Richard Toye, of the University of Exeter, citing the privatisation of British Rail under her successor John Major. There was also a huge sale to tenants of council housing. The government also abandoned its commitment to full employment, stating this was the responsibility of employers and employees. Thatcherism is also associated with the Iron Ladys own personal style, says Prof Toye. She saw herself as a conviction politician. She prided herself on her what she would call steadfastness, and what others would call her inflexibility. She inherited a party that contained supporters of her predecessor Ted Heath, labelled by her as wets, who opposed her monetarist policies and cuts to public spending. In the early stages she had to continue to include them in the cabinet, says Prof Toye, but then gradually she rid herself of them. It was not clear in 1975 what a Thatcher government would mean for Britain. And it was clear when she came to power that she couldnt move too far too fast. That was reflected by her moving with caution and carefully at first in her first term. Although Thatcherism was based on the austere-sounding philosophy of monetarism, Thatcher wanted to put a human face on it, so she talked about running the countrys finances like a thrifty housewife. She also mad e much of her personal story. It was a fundamental part of her image emphasising he value of hard work, her background as a grocers daughter, says Prof Toye. She contrasted that with the union leaders who she believed were trying to block economic progress. She believed that Victorian family values were the way to improve society, through people bettering themselves. This was not just through economic means, but there was an element of it being linked to respectability and societal values, Prof Toye says. Conventional marriage and a nuclear family were the building blocks, he says. One example of her impact on society was the inclusion of Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988. The controversial clause stated that a local authority shall not promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship. Because it did not create a criminal offence, no prosecution was ever brought under this provision. While the legacy of many Thatcher policies remain to this day, Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron wants to legalise gay marriage a stance inconceivable to Baroness Thatcher, and a huge change, says Prof Toye.