Literary Analysis: Blake, Tennyson, and Poetic Devices

William Blake's Poetic Insights

Understanding Visionaries

A visionary may be someone who envisions a better future or someone who claims to see people or events in dreams.

Literary Analysis: Symbolism

A symbol is a person, place, object, or action that represents itself and something beyond itself. Symbols can often represent more than one thing.

Reading Skill: Compare and Contrast

• Word Choice: Look for descriptive words and note how they are used to emphasize characteristics of the subject.
• Ideas: Identify common or contrasting ideas expressed in the poems.
• Tone: Notice the author's attitude toward the subject.

Blake's Poems: Interpretations

The Lamb

Consider what God, the lamb, and the speaker have in common.

Symbols: Lamb, God.

Explanation: Represents innocence and gentleness; symbolizes Jesus Christ and divinity.

The Chimney Sweeper (Songs of Innocence)

Reflect on whether the ideas expressed would have offered comfort to a poor chimney sweeper.

Symbols: White hair, washing in a river.

Explanation: Symbolizes innocence and purity, related to a child's state. Represents a complete cleansing and an ideal situation.

The Little Boy Lost

Consider how the speaker in the poem feels.

Symbols: Boy, night.

Explanation: Represents disappearing faith and a sense of hopelessness.

The Little Boy Found

Ponder what the poem conveys about the power of God.

Symbols: Boy, Father.

Explanation: Represents regained faith. Also symbolizes us, society, and the general population.

The Tyger

Contemplate what the tiger might symbolize.

Symbols: Tyger, fire.

Explanation: Represents greatness and symmetry, beauty, danger, and fear.

The Chimney Sweeper (Songs of Experience)

Consider how the tone differs from that of The Chimney Sweeper in Songs of Innocence.

Symbols: Snow, God.

Explanation: Snow represents coolness on people. God is seen as saving oppressed people.

The Sick Rose

Think about what the rose represents and why it is sick.

Symbols: Sick rose, love.

Explanation: Represents love's disillusionment, depression, and sadness.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson's Poetic Themes

Literary Analysis: Mood

Mood is the feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for a reader. Elements that help create the mood of a poem include imagery, sound devices (such as repetition and rhyme), and parallelism.

Reading Skill: Analyzing the Speaker

The Lady of Shalott

Mood: Determination, isolation.