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happylilkt's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first reading of this collection of William Blake's. There are two parts: "Songs of Innocence," which of course contains the well known "The Lamb," and "Songs of Experience," which contains "The Tyger."
The collection overall is, unsurprisingly, one of first Eden and then innocence lost. An interesting contrast and metaphysically profound.
I recognized a few other poems from various children's collections I have ("The Ecchoing Green" and "Night"), but I will admit that William Blake is somewhat baffling to me. I am going to look up some essays to hopefully better understand him.
Aside from The Lamb and The Tyger, which are, of course, excellent, I liked "The Clod and The Pebble" and "A Poison Tree" (I had heard this before, but had not realized it was William Blake).
The collection overall is, unsurprisingly, one of first Eden and then innocence lost. An interesting contrast and metaphysically profound.
I recognized a few other poems from various children's collections I have ("The Ecchoing Green" and "Night"), but I will admit that William Blake is somewhat baffling to me. I am going to look up some essays to hopefully better understand him.
Aside from The Lamb and The Tyger, which are, of course, excellent, I liked "The Clod and The Pebble" and "A Poison Tree" (I had heard this before, but had not realized it was William Blake).
ultimate_helix's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
ilovegravy's review against another edition
4.0
Oh I loved the use of contrast and the subtle play around with irony. It’s a fun read, but then you reflect on what you just read and it all gets poignant as hell. Because the innocence is all fun and games, but experience is everything but that.
maryaliceelange's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
duffypratt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
The poems themselves are as much like songs as they are poems. Blakes use of rhythm and rhyme is delightful. And it's cool to see how much simpler in these terms the innocence poems are than the experience poems.
On top of that, you get a kind of mirroring between the poems in the two states. Thus, The Little Lamb is reflected by The Tyger. There are several of these that have the same name in both sections. This structure takes a series of poems which are lyrical and delightful on their own, and it places them in a context which adds to their depth.
I'm sure I will be returning to these fairly frequently.
On top of that, you get a kind of mirroring between the poems in the two states. Thus, The Little Lamb is reflected by The Tyger. There are several of these that have the same name in both sections. This structure takes a series of poems which are lyrical and delightful on their own, and it places them in a context which adds to their depth.
I'm sure I will be returning to these fairly frequently.
olivia260207's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
lucy_pip's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
lucazani11's review against another edition
4.0
THE HUMAN ABSTRACT
Pity would be no more
If we did not make somebody poor,
And Mercy no more could be
If all were as happy as we.
And mutual fear brings Peace,
Till the selfish loves increase
Then Cruelty knits a snare,
And spreads his baits with care.
He sits down with his holy fears,
And waters the ground with tears;
Then Humility takes its root
Underneath his foot.
Soon spreads the dismal shade
Of Mystery over his head,
And the caterpillar and fly
Feed on the Mystery.
And it bears the fruit of Deceit,
Ruddy and sweet to eat,
And the raven his nest has made
In its thickest shade.
The gods of the earth and sea
Sought through nature to find this tree,
But their search was all in vain:
There grows one in the human Brain.
----------------------------------
"Songs of Innocence and Experience" is a collection of poems written by William Blake in the late 18th century. The collection consists of two parts, with each part containing a set of poems that are thematically connected. The poems in the "Songs of Innocence" explore the joys and wonder of childhood innocence, while the poems in the "Songs of Experience" explore the dark realities of adulthood.
One of the main themes of the collection is the loss of innocence. In the "Songs of Innocence," Blake portrays children as pure and innocent, untouched by the corruption of the world around them. However, in the "Songs of Experience," he portrays the harsh realities of life that strip away this innocence. For example, in "The Chimney Sweeper" from the "Songs of Innocence," Blake depicts a young boy who is content with his life as a chimney sweep, unaware of the dangers and exploitation he faces. In contrast, in "The Chimney Sweeper" from the "Songs of Experience," the same boy is portrayed as being disillusioned and broken by his experiences.
Another important theme in the collection is the corrupting influence of societal institutions. In the "Songs of Innocence," Blake portrays institutions such as the Church and the monarchy as benevolent and protective. However, in the "Songs of Experience," he exposes their darker side and the way in which they can be used to oppress and exploit individuals. For example, in "Holy Thursday" from the "Songs of Innocence," Blake celebrates the charitable work of the Church. But in "Holy Thursday" from the "Songs of Experience," he exposes the hypocrisy and corruption of the Church and its role in perpetuating poverty and suffering.
Overall, "Songs of Innocence and Experience" is a complex and multi-layered work that explores themes of innocence, experience, corruption, and societal institutions. Through his poetry, Blake offers a critique of the world around him and highlights the need for individuals to question the status quo and fight against injustice and oppression.
Pity would be no more
If we did not make somebody poor,
And Mercy no more could be
If all were as happy as we.
And mutual fear brings Peace,
Till the selfish loves increase
Then Cruelty knits a snare,
And spreads his baits with care.
He sits down with his holy fears,
And waters the ground with tears;
Then Humility takes its root
Underneath his foot.
Soon spreads the dismal shade
Of Mystery over his head,
And the caterpillar and fly
Feed on the Mystery.
And it bears the fruit of Deceit,
Ruddy and sweet to eat,
And the raven his nest has made
In its thickest shade.
The gods of the earth and sea
Sought through nature to find this tree,
But their search was all in vain:
There grows one in the human Brain.
----------------------------------
"Songs of Innocence and Experience" is a collection of poems written by William Blake in the late 18th century. The collection consists of two parts, with each part containing a set of poems that are thematically connected. The poems in the "Songs of Innocence" explore the joys and wonder of childhood innocence, while the poems in the "Songs of Experience" explore the dark realities of adulthood.
One of the main themes of the collection is the loss of innocence. In the "Songs of Innocence," Blake portrays children as pure and innocent, untouched by the corruption of the world around them. However, in the "Songs of Experience," he portrays the harsh realities of life that strip away this innocence. For example, in "The Chimney Sweeper" from the "Songs of Innocence," Blake depicts a young boy who is content with his life as a chimney sweep, unaware of the dangers and exploitation he faces. In contrast, in "The Chimney Sweeper" from the "Songs of Experience," the same boy is portrayed as being disillusioned and broken by his experiences.
Another important theme in the collection is the corrupting influence of societal institutions. In the "Songs of Innocence," Blake portrays institutions such as the Church and the monarchy as benevolent and protective. However, in the "Songs of Experience," he exposes their darker side and the way in which they can be used to oppress and exploit individuals. For example, in "Holy Thursday" from the "Songs of Innocence," Blake celebrates the charitable work of the Church. But in "Holy Thursday" from the "Songs of Experience," he exposes the hypocrisy and corruption of the Church and its role in perpetuating poverty and suffering.
Overall, "Songs of Innocence and Experience" is a complex and multi-layered work that explores themes of innocence, experience, corruption, and societal institutions. Through his poetry, Blake offers a critique of the world around him and highlights the need for individuals to question the status quo and fight against injustice and oppression.