William Blake Notes Songs Of Innocence and Experience :

English Language

Songs of Innocence and Experience: Showing the two contrary states of the
human soul
 There is a juxtaposition between songs of innocence and experience
contrasts and duality of experiences.

Characteristics of Innocence:
 Child’s simple view of the world
 Place without fear
 Apparent simplicity of style.
Contrasting views of a Child v.s
Characteristics of Experience: an Adult
 Darkened version of the world
 Fear, anxieties
 An inevitable fall from grace
 Restrictions, entrapment, loss of imagination
 Deeper understanding of the world, but more hurt and negativity
 unjust

Publication:
 Self-Published
 Engraved with illustrations –“illuminations”- to be seen as unity
 Innocence 1789
 Experience 1794 – never sold separately
 Changed order of poems

Context:
 London based
 Not popular or well known in his time
 Fiery temperament, non-conformist
 No formal eductation
 Generally regarded as the precursor of Romantics
 Influences: Bible, psalms,

Romanticism 18th century – Post enlightenment

 Reaction against Augustan era of reason, rationalism and formal
constraints
 Poetry should reflect the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.
 Imagination over reason
 Importance of childhood, passion, individual, freedom, love and nature.
 Feelings trusted rather than thoughts, impulses to be followed rather than
rules.
 Spirituality to be found in nature rather than an established religion.
Enlightenment:

Disapproved of:
 Industrial r.
 Scientific process
 Government

Approved of:
 Political unrest
 Concepts and belief