The Chimney Sweeper (Songs of Innocence)

When my mother died I was very young,

And my father sold me while yet my tongue
Could scarcely cry " 'weep! 'weep! 'weep! 'weep!"
So your chimneys I sweep & in soot I sleep.

There's little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head

That curled like a lamb's back, was shaved, so I said,
"Hush, Tom! never mind it, for when your head's bare,
You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair."

And so he was quiet, & that very night,

As Tom was a-sleeping he had such a sight!
That thousands of sweepers, Dick, Joe, Ned, & Jack,
Were all of them locked up in coffins of black;

And by came an Angel who had a bright key,

And he opened the coffins & set them all free;
Then down a green plain, leaping, laughing they run,
And wash in a river and shine in the Sun.

Then naked & white, all their bags left behind,

They rise upon clouds, and sport in the wind.
And the Angel told Tom, if he'd be a good boy,
He'd have God for his father & never want joy.

And so Tom awoke; and we rose in the dark

And got with our bags & our brushes to work.
Though the morning was cold, Tom was happy & warm;
So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.
The Chimney Sweeper (Songs of Experience)

A little black thing among the snow,

Crying "weep! 'weep!" in notes of woe!
"Where are thy father and mother? say?"
"They are both gone up to the church to pray.

Because I was happy upon the heath,

And smil'd among the winter's snow,
They clothed me in the clothes of death,
And taught me to sing the notes of woe.

And because I am happy and dance and sing,

They think they have done me no injury,
And are gone to praise God and his Priest and King,
Who make up a heaven of our misery."

The Theme of Hypocrisy in "The Chimney Sweeper"

(Songs of Experience)
Question: How does William Blake explore the theme of
hypocrisy in "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of
Experience, and what key moments in the poem highlight
this theme?

Answer: William Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Experience

powerfully critiques the hypocrisy of societal and religious institutions that claim to
care for the well-being of individuals while perpetuating their suffering. Through the
voice of a young chimney sweep, Blake exposes the contradictions between outward
piety and the neglect and exploitation of vulnerable children.
Parents' Hypocrisy:
The poem begins with the child’s response to an inquiry about his parents’
whereabouts:
 "They are both gone up to the church to pray."
 Analysis: This line sets the stage for the poem's critique of hypocrisy. The
parents' attendance at church, a place symbolizing morality and
compassion, contrasts sharply with their neglect of their own child.
 Instead of caring for him, they have left him to work in dangerous and
dehumanizing conditions.
Forced Cheerfulness and Misunderstanding:
The child describes how his natural happiness was twisted by those in authority:
 "Because I was happy upon the heath, / And smil'd among the winter's
snow, / They clothed me in the clothes of death, / And taught me to
sing the notes of woe."
 Analysis: Here, Blake illustrates the hypocrisy of a society that punishes
and exploits innocence and joy. The child's initial happiness and
innocence are extinguished by being forced into chimney sweeping,
symbolized by the "clothes of death." Despite this, the child is taught to
maintain a facade of cheerfulness, masking the true depth of his suffering.
Institutional Hypocrisy:
The final stanza directly critiques the religious and political institutions that endorse
and perpetuate this suffering:
 "And are gone to praise God and his Priest and King, / Who make up a
heaven of our misery."
 Analysis: Blake directly indicts the complicity of religious and royal
institutions in the exploitation of children. The parents and society at large
believe that by supporting these institutions, they are morally righteous.
However, this supposed righteousness is built on the backs of the
suffering chimney sweeps. The "heaven" they praise is contrasted with
the "misery" it causes for the vulnerable, highlighting the stark hypocrisy.
Conclusion:
Blake’s "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Experience uses the innocent
perspective of a child to expose and critique the hypocrisy of a society that prides
itself on religious and moral superiority while exploiting and neglecting its most
vulnerable members. The parents’ abandonment of their child for prayer, the child’s
forced cheerfulness, and the indictment of religious and political institutions all serve
to underscore the theme of hypocrisy. Through vivid imagery and poignant narrative,
Blake calls into question the true morality of a society that allows such suffering to
persist.
The Theme of Exploitation and Loss of Innocence in "The
Chimney Sweeper" (Songs of Experience)
Question: How does William Blake explore the themes of
exploitation and the loss of innocence in "The Chimney
Sweeper" from Songs of Experience, and what key
moments in the poem highlight these themes?

Answer: In "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Experience, William Blake delves
deeply into the themes of exploitation and the loss of innocence. Through the eyes of
a young chimney sweep, Blake paints a stark picture of how societal and parental
neglect strips children of their natural innocence and subjects them to harsh labor and
suffering.
Initial Innocence and Happiness:
The child recounts his initial state of happiness before being sold into labor:
 "Because I was happy upon the heath, / And smil'd among the winter's
snow,"
 Analysis: These lines reflect the child's original state of innocence and joy,
symbolizing the purity and freedom of childhood. The reference to playing
happily in nature emphasizes the natural, unspoiled state of the child
before his exploitation.
Forced into Labor:
The transition from innocence to exploitation is starkly depicted:
 "They clothed me in the clothes of death, / And taught me to sing the
notes of woe."
 Analysis: The "clothes of death" symbolize the chimney sweep's uniform,
marking the child’s transition from innocence to a life of hardship and
suffering. The act of being taught to "sing the notes of woe" signifies the
loss of natural joy and the imposition of sorrow and labor onto the child,
highlighting the exploitation inherent in child labor.
Parental Neglect:
The poem emphasizes the role of parental neglect in the child's exploitation:
 "Where are thy father and mother? say?" / "They are both gone up to
the church to pray."
 Analysis: This exchange underscores the neglect of the child by his
parents, who prioritize their religious duties over the welfare of their son.
Their absence highlights the abandonment and betrayal the child feels,
emphasizing the theme of exploitation through neglect.
Societal Hypocrisy:
The poem critiques societal hypocrisy, where the child's suffering is ignored:
  "And because I am happy and dance and sing, / They think they have
done me no injury,"
 Analysis: The child's forced cheerfulness is misinterpreted by society as a
sign that no harm has been done. This highlights the ignorance and
hypocrisy of a society that turns a blind eye to the exploitation of children,
mistaking outward signs of happiness for genuine well-being.
Religious and Political Complicity:
Blake concludes with a condemnation of institutional complicity in exploitation:
 "And are gone to praise God and his Priest and King, / Who make up a
heaven of our misery."
 Analysis: This powerful line indicts religious and political institutions that,
while claiming moral and spiritual authority, are complicit in the
exploitation of children. The parents and society believe they are
righteous by supporting these institutions, yet this supposed "heaven" is
built on the "misery" of the exploited, highlighting the loss of innocence
and the profound hypocrisy.
Conclusion:
William Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Experience poignantly explores
the themes of exploitation and the loss of innocence. Through vivid imagery and the
voice of an innocent child, Blake highlights the transition from natural joy to a life of
suffering imposed by societal neglect and institutional hypocrisy. The key moments of
the child's initial happiness, forced labor, parental neglect, societal misunderstanding,
and institutional complicity underscore the profound impact of exploitation on the loss
of childhood innocence.
Romantic Elements in "The Chimney Sweeper" from
Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience
Question: How do William Blake's poems "The Chimney
Sweeper" from Songs of Innocence and Songs of
Experience reflect the key characteristics of
Romanticism, such as individualism, emotions, and the
critique of societal norms?

Answer: William Blake's poems "The Chimney Sweeper" from both Songs of
Innocence and Songs of Experience encapsulate several core elements of
Romanticism, including a focus on individualism, the expression of intense emotions,
and a critical stance on societal norms and institutions. These poems use the
perspective of a young chimney sweep to explore these themes deeply.
Individualism and Emotions in Songs of Innocence:
In "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Innocence, Blake presents the innocent,
individual voice of a child who, despite his dire circumstances, maintains a hopeful
and pure outlook.
 Focus on the Individual:
 "When my mother died I was very young, / And my father sold me
while yet my tongue / Could scarcely cry ' 'weep! 'weep! 'weep!
'weep!'"
 Analysis: This opening immediately personalizes the narrative,
emphasizing the individual child's experience. The focus on the child's
personal suffering and story highlights Romanticism's emphasis on the
individual.
 Expression of Emotions:
 "There's little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head / That curled
like a lamb's back, was shaved"
 Analysis: The depiction of Tom Dacre’s tears and the narrator’s attempt to
comfort him reflects a deep engagement with the emotions of the
characters. Romantic literature often emphasizes feelings and emotional
depth, and here Blake captures the tender emotions of the children.
 Hope and Imagination:
 "And so he was quiet, & that very night, / As Tom was a-sleeping
he had such a sight! / That thousands of sweepers, Dick, Joe, Ned,
& Jack, / Were all of them locked up in coffins of black;"
 Analysis: Tom’s dream of an angel freeing the chimney sweeps from
coffins showcases the Romantic value placed on imagination and the hope
for transcendence from suffering. Dreams and visions are significant in
Romanticism as they represent the inner emotional and spiritual life.
Critique of Societal Norms and Loss of Innocence in Songs of Experience:
In "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Experience, Blake adopts a more critical
tone, focusing on the harsh realities faced by the child and the hypocrisy of societal
and religious institutions.
 Critique of Societal Norms:
 "Where are thy father and mother? say? / They are both gone up
to the church to pray."
 Analysis: This line critiques the societal and parental neglect that
prioritizes religious observance over the welfare of children. Blake
highlights the discrepancy between societal piety and the exploitation of
vulnerable individuals, a common theme in Romantic literature which
often questioned established norms and institutions.
 Expression of Injustice and Emotional Depth:
 "Because I was happy upon the heath, / And smil'd among the
winter's snow, / They clothed me in the clothes of death, / And
taught me to sing the notes of woe."
 Analysis: The stark contrast between the child’s former happiness and his
current misery emphasizes the emotional and moral injustices he faces.
Romanticism often delves into deep emotional experiences and here,
Blake exposes the harsh emotional reality of the child's life.
 Individual Perspective and Innocence Lost:
 "And are gone to praise God and his Priest and King, / Who make
up a heaven of our misery."
 Analysis: This closing indictment from the child’s perspective underscores
the Romantic emphasis on individual experience and the loss of
innocence. The child's voice reveals the hypocrisy of societal leaders and
religious authorities, critiquing the way institutionalized religion and
governance contribute to personal suffering.
Conclusion:
William Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper" poems from Songs of Innocence and Songs of
Experience vividly reflect the key characteristics of Romanticism. In Songs of
Innocence, Blake emphasizes individualism, emotional depth, and the power of
imagination to provide hope amidst suffering. In Songs of Experience, he critiques
societal norms and exposes the emotional and moral corruption underlying the
exploitation of children. Both poems use the innocent voice of a child to highlight
Romantic themes of individual experience, emotional expression, and the critique of
societal and institutional failures.
Difference in Tone Between "The Chimney Sweeper" from
Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience
Question: How does the tone differ between William
Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Innocence
and Songs of Experience, and what key elements
contribute to these differences?

Answer: The tone of William Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper" differs significantly
between Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. In Songs of Innocence, the
tone is more hopeful and naive, focusing on the innocence and resilience of the child
despite his dire circumstances. In contrast, the tone in Songs of Experience is darker
and more critical, emphasizing the harsh realities of exploitation and societal
hypocrisy. Key elements such as imagery, diction, and thematic focus contribute to
these tonal differences.
Songs of Innocence:
The tone in this version of "The Chimney Sweeper" is characterized by a blend of
innocence, hope, and a touch of melancholy. The poem portrays the child's suffering
but also emphasizes his resilience and capacity for hope through dreams and visions.
 Hopeful and Naive Tone:
 "When my mother died I was very young, / And my father sold me
while yet my tongue / Could scarcely cry ' 'weep! 'weep! 'weep!
'weep!'"
 Analysis: The child's voice is innocent and straightforward, recounting his
circumstances without bitterness. The repeated "weep" sounds like a cry
for help, yet it also conveys the naivety of the young chimney sweep who
does not fully grasp the depth of his plight.
 Comfort and Imagination:
 "There's little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head / That curled
like a lamb's back, was shaved, so I said, / 'Hush, Tom! never
mind it, for when your head's bare, / You know that the soot
cannot spoil your white hair.'"
 Analysis: The speaker's attempt to comfort Tom Dacre reflects a childlike
optimism. The imagery of the lamb emphasizes innocence, while the
reassurance about the soot not spoiling Tom’s hair highlights a simplistic
way of finding comfort in their grim reality.
 Dreams and Divine Intervention:
 "And by came an Angel who had a bright key, / And he opened the
coffins and set them all free; / Then down a green plain, leaping,
laughing they run, / And wash in a river and shine in the Sun."
 Analysis: The angelic vision and the joyful escape into nature imbue the
poem with a sense of hope and redemption. This dream suggests that
 despite the hardships, there is a possibility of divine intervention and
ultimate liberation.
Songs of Experience:
In this version, the tone is markedly darker, more cynical, and accusatory. It
underscores the exploitation of children and the hypocrisy of societal and religious
institutions.
 Dark and Cynical Tone:
 "A little black thing among the snow, / Crying 'weep! 'weep!' in
notes of woe!"
 Analysis: The stark contrast between the "little black thing" and the snow
immediately sets a somber and grim tone. The child’s cries are described
as "notes of woe," emphasizing the pervasive sorrow and suffering.
 Critique of Parental and Societal Neglect:
 "Where are thy father and mother? say? / They are both gone up
to the church to pray."
 Analysis: The child’s response highlights the neglect and hypocrisy of the
parents who abandon their child to a life of labor while engaging in
religious duties. This critique adds a layer of bitterness and condemnation
to the poem’s tone.
 Exposure of Hypocrisy:
 "And are gone to praise God and his Priest and King, / Who make
up a heaven of our misery."
 Analysis: These lines reveal the deep-seated hypocrisy within society and
its institutions. The tone here is accusatory and exposes the moral
corruption that allows such exploitation to continue under the guise of
piety and righteousness.
 Sense of Despair:
 "Because I was happy upon the heath, / And smil'd among the
winter's snow, / They clothed me in the clothes of death, / And
taught me to sing the notes of woe."
 Analysis: The transformation from happiness to despair is stark, and the
imagery of "clothes of death" and "notes of woe" enhances the poem's
dark and despairing tone. It underscores the loss of innocence and the
imposition of suffering.
Conclusion:
The tonal differences between "The Chimney Sweeper" poems in Songs of Innocence
and Songs of Experience reflect William Blake's nuanced exploration of childhood,
suffering, and societal hypocrisy. The hopeful, naive tone in Songs of Innocence
highlights the resilience and innocence of children, while the dark, critical tone in
Songs of Experience underscores the harsh realities of exploitation and the moral
failures of society. Through these contrasting tones, Blake provides a comprehensive
critique of the social conditions of his time.
Symbolism in "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of
Innocence and Songs of Experience
Question: How does William Blake use symbolism in "The
Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Innocence and Songs
of Experience to convey deeper meanings about
childhood, innocence, and societal hypocrisy?

Answer: William Blake employs powerful symbolism in both versions of "The Chimney
Sweeper" to convey themes of childhood innocence, exploitation, and societal
hypocrisy. Through symbolic elements such as the soot, lamb, coffins, and church,
Blake critiques the conditions of child labor and the moral failures of society.
Symbolism in Songs of Innocence:
In Songs of Innocence, Blake uses symbols to highlight the purity and resilience of
children, even amidst their exploitation.
 Soot:
 "Could scarcely cry ' 'weep! 'weep! 'weep! 'weep!' / So your
chimneys I sweep & in soot I sleep."
 Analysis: The soot represents the dirt and degradation of the children's
lives as chimney sweeps. It symbolizes the loss of innocence as the
children are covered in the filth of their labor, yet it also underscores their
resilience as they continue to endure these conditions.
 Lamb:
 "There's little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head / That curled
like a lamb's back, was shaved."
 Analysis: The lamb is a symbol of innocence and purity. Comparing Tom
Dacre’s hair to a lamb’s back evokes the image of a sacrificial lamb,
highlighting the children's vulnerability and innocence being sacrificed for
societal gain.
 Angel and Coffins:
 "And by came an Angel who had a bright key, / And he opened the
coffins & set them all free."
 Analysis: The angel symbolizes hope and divine intervention. The black
coffins represent the entrapment and death-like existence of the children.
The angel freeing the children from the coffins symbolizes the possibility
of salvation and liberation from their suffering, reflecting the Romantic
theme of hope and redemption.
Symbolism in Songs of Experience:
In Songs of Experience, Blake uses symbols to critique the hypocrisy and moral
corruption of society and its institutions.
 Black Thing among the Snow:
 "A little black thing among the snow, / Crying 'weep! 'weep!' in
notes of woe!"
 Analysis: The "little black thing" symbolizes the child chimney sweep,
whose innocence is starkly contrasted against the pure, white snow. This
contrast highlights the corruption and exploitation of innocence.
 Clothes of Death:
 "They clothed me in the clothes of death, / And taught me to sing
the notes of woe."
 Analysis: The "clothes of death" symbolize the soot-covered garments of
the chimney sweeps, representing the death of their innocence and
childhood. It also reflects the grim reality of their work, which often led to
sickness and early death.
 Church and Religious Hypocrisy:
 "Where are thy father and mother? say? / They are both gone up
to the church to pray."
 "And are gone to praise God and his Priest and King, / Who make
up a heaven of our misery."
 Analysis: The church symbolizes societal and religious hypocrisy. While
the parents are ostensibly engaged in pious activities, they neglect their
child, reflecting the moral failure of religious institutions that condone or
overlook such exploitation. The critique is that the church, along with
societal and political leaders, creates a "heaven" that is built on the
suffering of the innocent.
Conclusion:
William Blake’s use of symbolism in "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Innocence
and Songs of Experience deepens the reader's understanding of the themes of
childhood, innocence, and societal hypocrisy. In Songs of Innocence, symbols like
soot, the lamb, and the angel emphasize the resilience and potential for redemption
in children despite their exploitation. In Songs of Experience, symbols like the black
child in the snow, clothes of death, and the church critique the moral corruption and
hypocrisy of societal and religious institutions. Through these symbols, Blake
effectively conveys a powerful social critique and a poignant reflection on the loss of
innocence.
Metaphors in "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of
Innocence and Songs of Experience
Question: How does William Blake use metaphors in "The
Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Innocence and Songs
of Experience to illustrate the themes of innocence,
suffering, and societal criticism?

Answer: William Blake employs metaphors in both "The Chimney Sweeper" from
Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience to deepen the reader's understanding of
the poems' themes. Through these metaphors, Blake highlights the innocence and
suffering of the child chimney sweeps while critiquing the societal and religious
structures that perpetuate their exploitation.
Metaphors in Songs of Innocence:
In Songs of Innocence, Blake uses metaphors to emphasize the purity and resilience
of the children amidst their harsh realities.
 "Clothes of death":
 "They clothed me in the clothes of death"
 Analysis: This metaphor describes the soot-covered garments of the
chimney sweeps. It signifies the death-like existence imposed on the
children, whose lives are overshadowed by the constant presence of
danger, dirt, and despair. The "clothes of death" also reflect how their
childhood and innocence are being buried under the grime of their work.
 "Lamb":
 "There's little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head / That curled
like a lamb's back, was shaved"
 Analysis: Comparing Tom's curly hair to a lamb's back serves as a
metaphor for innocence and purity. The lamb traditionally symbolizes
gentleness and sacrifice, suggesting that Tom, like a sacrificial lamb, is an
innocent victim of societal exploitation.
 "Coffins of black":
 "That thousands of sweepers, Dick, Joe, Ned, & Jack, / Were all of
them locked up in coffins of black"
 Analysis: The "coffins of black" metaphorically represent the children’s
entrapment and the death-like conditions of their work. These coffins
symbolize not just physical death but the death of freedom and
innocence, encapsulating their grim fate as chimney sweeps.
Metaphors in Songs of Experience:
In Songs of Experience, Blake’s metaphors are more critical and stark, highlighting the
harsh realities and societal hypocrisy that exacerbate the children's suffering.
  "Little black thing":
 "A little black thing among the snow"
 Analysis: Referring to the child as a "little black thing" metaphorically
reduces him to a mere object, underscoring the dehumanization and
neglect he experiences. The contrast with the white snow highlights the
stark difference between the child's soot-covered existence and the purity
associated with snow, symbolizing innocence lost.
 "Clothes of death":
 "They clothed me in the clothes of death"
 Analysis: As in Songs of Innocence, this metaphor in Songs of Experience
underscores the morbidity and suffering imposed on the children. It
represents how their lives are shrouded in the darkness and danger of
their work, leading to physical and emotional death.
 "Notes of woe":
 "And taught me to sing the notes of woe"
 Analysis: The "notes of woe" metaphorically describe the sorrowful cries of
the child, which are a learned response to his suffering. This metaphor
emphasizes how the children's natural expressions of joy are replaced
with sorrow, highlighting the deep emotional impact of their exploitation.
 "Heaven of our misery":
 "And are gone to praise God and his Priest and King, / Who make
up a heaven of our misery"
 Analysis: This metaphor criticizes the societal and religious institutions
that create a so-called "heaven" at the expense of the children's suffering.
It highlights the hypocrisy of those who find spiritual solace and societal
order while ignoring or even perpetuating the misery of the most
vulnerable.
Conclusion:
William Blake's use of metaphors in "The Chimney Sweeper" poems from Songs of
Innocence and Songs of Experience serves to illustrate the profound themes of
innocence, suffering, and societal hypocrisy. In Songs of Innocence, metaphors like
"clothes of death," the "lamb," and "coffins of black" highlight the children's purity and
resilience amidst exploitation. In Songs of Experience, metaphors such as "little black
thing," "notes of woe," and "heaven of our misery" offer a stark critique of the societal
and religious structures that enable and exacerbate the children's suffering. Through
these metaphors, Blake effectively conveys the depth of the children's plight and the
moral failures of the society that allows such exploitation to persist.