The Book of Thel

Like Thel, the symbolic Lilly is a “virgin” (Line 28); she represents a maid, or young woman. Blake gives her female pronouns throughout the poem. Lilies, in the western poetic tradition, represent whiteness and purity. They also “represent virginity in any woman” (Ferber, Michael. A Dictionary of Literary Symbols. Cambridge University Press, 2007, p.117). Lilies, as Christian symbols, are associated with the Virgin Mary and frequently appear in the Solomon’s Song of Songs. Blake specifically connects Lilly with the silver in Thel’s Motto; Lilly sits in a “silver shrine” (Line 27). Also, silver is associated with the moon, which is often characterized as chaste.

Conversely, Cloud is an archetype of the lover and connected with gold. Blake gives Cloud male pronouns and describes him as having a “golden head” (Line 48), which characterizes him as a sun-related figure. When Cloud symbolically marries dew, he gives her a “golden band” (58), further highlighting the connection. Gold often symbolically designates what is best, first, or highest; Cloud is the highest of all the creatures that speak to Thel. Furthermore, Cloud’s symbolic role as lover includes imagery of death; he “pass[es] away [...] to “love” (Lines 53-54).