London

Blake wrote “London” at a time in English history when the government enforced strict laws on individual freedoms. The poem’s speaker wanders “thro’ each charter’d street” (Line 1) and “[n]ear where the charter’d Thames does flow” (Line 2). In these lines, Blake plays with the meaning of the word “charter,” a written grant by a country's legislative power. “Charter’d” communicates that the direction has already been determined. The imagery suggests that the restriction from the government is so strict that it determines even the streets and river’s directions. The speaker then hears “[t]he mind-forg’d manacles” (Line 8). The “manacles” (Line 8) are a symbol of enslavement. During Blake’s time, Great Britain also participated heavily in the slave trade. English society at that time did not allow for much upward mobility, another restriction that kept people oppressed. The manacles are “mind-forg’d” (Line 8), and they represent the beliefs and attitudes perpetuated by government and society that bind humankind.

At the time Blake wrote “London,” English industry heavily exploited children. The speaker states they hear “every Infants cry of fear” (Line 6). They also hear “How the Chimney-sweepers cry” (Line 9). Chimney-sweepers were often children. The image suggests that those who are crying are enslaved and oppressed.