The Chimney Sweeper Songs of Innocence

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The Chimney SweeperSongs of Innocence

• by William Blake

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Introduction

• The Chimney Sweeper is the title of two poems by
  William Blake, published in Songs of Innocence in
  1789 and Songs of Experience in 1794.The poem,
  The Chimney Sweeper is set against the dark
  background of child labor that was well-known in
  England in the late 18th and 19th Century.

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• At the age of four and five, boys were sold to
  clean chimneys due to their small size. These
  children were oppressed, and had a diminutive
  existence that was socially acceptable at the
  time.
• In the earlier poem, a young chimney sweeper
  recounts a dream had by one of his fellows, in
  which an angel rescues the boys from coffins and
  takes them to a sunny meadow.

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Outlines

• Social Class is seen that the family is poor and
  the boy is sold
• Politics and Ideology from the start of a child
• The desire for freedom from the dark chimney
• Carnival and Festivities to wash and be clean

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William Blake

• The English poet, painter, illustrator and
  engraver, was born in London on November 28,
  1757. At age ten, he went to drawing school which
  led his father to recognize his artistic talent
  which later on decided that he should keep on
  developing it. Four years later, he was an
  apprentice with engraver James Basire for seven
  years. After his apprentice life, Blake briefly
  attended Royal Academy, where he found his
  learning environment to be rather stifling and
  too orthodox.

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• There is light at the end of the tunnel. Thus,
  there is freedom, happiness and peace of mind
  God or a supreme, omniscient Being will make sure
  of that. The boys in "The Chimney Sweeper" must
  continue to do their work and do it well, for
  they shall be rewarded.

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Main Argument

• Who is actually the speaker?
• Is the speaker a child?
• What was the significance of Tom Dacre's dream?