The Levels of Meaning in Blake’s “London”​ an Example of the Topic Personal Essays by

The Levels of Meaning in Blake’s â€Å"London†Ã¢â‚¬â€¹ by Expert Suzzane | 07 Dec 2016 William Blake is a prolific poet whose works can be read on many different levels. His Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience are fine examples of this. Blakes London is a masterpiece in that it presents a view that can be read on religious, political and social levels through its masterful use of syntax and diction. Need essay sample on "The Levels of Meaning in Blakes London" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Clearly, the title of the poem London sets the reader up to view the city through the eyes of the speaker. Andrew Moore notes that modern readers can identify more with the poem than perhaps readers in Blakes time because our association with the dirt and poverty of urban areas as nightmarish is more rooted in modern reality than those of the earlier era. He comments that it exposes the gulf between those in power and the misery of poor people (Moore). Thus, Blakes poem can be red on a social level. Certain images in the poem aid in the social commentary that Blake is elucidating. First, the Marks of weakness, marks of woe draw the reader into the sadness and oppression of the London streets. The repetition of the cries of various voices in the streets, the cry of every man, the infants cry, the chimney-sweepers cry, and the cry of the harlot and her newborn, give a continuous sound to the hopelessness. Moore again comments that this last cry is the most damning, in that the harlots cry is a curse on the traditional, societal values of marriage and family. He says the cry of the child-prostitute is the truth behind respectable ideas of marriage. New birth is no happy event but continues the cycle of misery, and the wedding carriage is seen as a hearse, leading to a kind of death (of innocence? of happiness?). The word plagues here suggests the sexually transmitted diseases which the "youthful harlot" would contract and pass on to others (men married for convenience but with no desire for their wives), giving her cursing words real destructive power (Moore). Sadly, as Blake is clearly noting, the prostitute has become what she is because of her eternally dismal situation and is thus a symbol of a declining social morality (Rix 28). Thus, the sounds from the streets illuminate significant societal weaknesses and woes, as Blake promises in line four. As Lambert pens, The harlot--a perverse mother figure--passes down to her child a legacy of corruption and contagion, one that likewise infects the marriage institution (and, by association, the Church), ensuring for posterity an endless cycle of excoriation and oppression (141). There seems to be no room for redemption or reversal of this horrendous trend. The visual image of the manacles is also significant. He notes that the mind-forged manacles act as iron restraints on the common man. A forge is a fire which creates the manacles, just as the mind which descends into hopelessness creates the same restraints for an impoverished and oppressed citizen. Of course, manacles are used on prisoners, insinuating that societys inequalities can create prisoners of its citizens. Moore notes that this image is even an allusion to Rousseau, who notes that Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains in which they [the manacles] come from the ideas and outlook imposed on us by external authority (Moore). However, these weaknesses and woes do not stop at the societal level. They continue to traverse the mere society of common inpiduals to the upper realm of the political elite. First, Blakes first two lines illustrate a concept of British political mandates that few modern readers may understand. The lines, I wandered through each chartered street / Near where the chartered Thames does flow, reveals a concept of rule which involved the ownership of public passages, like the street and the river. Moore says, it is a matter of fact that charters were granted to powerful people to control the streets of London and even the river. It is absurd that the streets are "chartered" (not free to ordinary people) but blatantly so in the case of the mighty river, which cannot really be controlled by the passing of a law. However, every face that the speaker meets seems to echo this absurdity. War is definitely an issue which is politically volatile. In 1793, Londoners did feel the threatening tug of impending war and a growing antiwar movement was rising. Rix calls Blakes view to be nearly prophetic; In fact, Blake was nearly right in his prognosis, as the discontent with the governments recruiting tactics flared up in the violent anticrime riots of September 1794 (29). In London, the hapless soldier's sigh / Runs in blood down palace-walls, indicating an anti-war stance with the archetypal image of blood. In a similar poem also by Blake, The French Revolution, a nearly identical image is presented as blood runs down the pillars of French castles (Rix 29). Clearly Blake was opposed to the impending upheaval that would cause additional pain on London society. Another political issue, which derives arguably from a social issue, is one that Blake illuminates in other poems. That is the concept of child labor and the lack of legislation barring this type of abuse and torture. The chimney sweeper, for which Black appeared to have a very soft heart, is the central image for this line of political comment. Of course, the use of children to work until their deaths in the sooty chimneys of London is an embarrassing and despicable era of the past. Because readers of Blake will recognize this subject as the title of other poems, this image can actually stand alone. However, it does correlate in this poem with the image of the blackened church. This image links the sooty chimney-sweeper with the hapless soldier. Black, being an image of wide interpretation can be both a literal visual image and a figurative image of evil and chaos. Line 10s blackening church is seen as a most cunningly ambiguous description which has spawned much debate. Lambert cites Walter S. Minot, for example, who takes the stance which designates blackening an intransitive verb that describes . . . the blackening of the church by soot (141). Additionally, he cites Michael Ferber who views the Church as an agent which is blackening [v.t.] the minds of the sweepers, manacling them to keep them in thrall to her mystery and tyranny (Lambert 141). Finally, Lambert himself concludes that the blackening is the smoke of London commerce . . . [which] . . . blackens the church's once white limestone after which Albion was named (141). According to these three interpretations, this black color represents the economic and religious presence of the Church. It is presented as a mysterious and tyrannical force which keeps people in line out of fear. Similarly, it is treated as vice of the Church, with its focus on obtaining wealth, or perhaps conversely, as the draw of more economic gain for factories, (represented by the soot), has dulled societys feelings of obligation and affection for the Church and for religion and morality as a whole. Possible Blakes view embodies all three of these. Lambert concludes that this metaphor is indeed a double entendre, but that as such it also plays an integral role in furthering one of the poem's major themes: the reflexive and cyclical nature of institutional oppression (141). Indeed, economic, social, political and religious influences have contributed to the downtrodden state of those that Blakes speaker sees on his wanderings through London. If this oppression is Blakes theme, then what might the poem be saying about the outlook for these inpiduals? It seems that some critics feel that one of Blakes points seems to be revealed, again, through sound. Graves notes that in many anthologies, the editors point out that the poem seems to imbed, acrostically, the word hear. While this may just be a type of game, by the poet, its thematic connection may be that speaking out and getting others to listen may be the answer for the oppressed who seem to only hobble along accepting their lot. Other examiners have observed that this echo resounds through several syntactical and rhetorical techniques in the poem. Graves explains this concept in the following: The echoic repetition hear/HEAR/hear epitomizes a key rhetorical technique in the poem, which gains much of its force from linked echoic forms including syntactic parallels, reiterated diction, and witty phonic doublets. For example, the verses repeat five other substantive words besides HEAR: charterd; cry (thrice); mark/Marks; street/streets; and Infants...The end rhymes, too, are inevitably phonic echoes. Notably, hear cooperates in two pairs of rhymes hear/fear and hear/tear.Assonance and alliteration predictably create other kinds of echoism, as do three other features: (a) syntactic parallelism (see, for example, lines 57, 10). (Graves 132-133). This interpretation makes sense as each of these repeated words and phrases has to do with a sound, the sounds of voices of the people. Graves use of the word echo is appropriate, as the sounds of grief do seem to reverberate off the walls of the city buildings. London is not an easy poem to read. While one might be put off by its initial sense of simplicity. However, it can be interpreted on many levels. These are social, political and even religious. While Blake does not supply any overt recommendations for the oppressed, he does seem to make a point with his syntax that speaking out, whether it be through poetry, essay, oration or any other medium, is perhaps the only way to change ones situation. Works Cited Blake, William. London. Retrieved 3 June 2007 from http://www.eliteskills.com/c/5099 Graves, Roy Neil. Blake's London. Explicator 63.3, Spring 2005: 131-136 Lambert, Stephen. Blake's London. Explicator 53.3 Spring 1995: 141 Moore, Andrew. London. Poems by William Blake. 2002. Retrieved 3 June 2007 from http://www.universalteacher.org.uk/poetry/blake.htm#lon Rix, Robert W. Blake's Auguries of Innocence, The French Revolution, and London. Explicator 64.1, Fall 2005: 27-29.

Antony vs Brututs essays

Antony vs Brututs essays Julius Caesar was killed on March 15, also known as the ides of March. He was at the peak of his power and domination of the world. The Council of the Roman Empire intended to crown Caesar king of the entire Roman Empire. Caesar would be the most powerful man on the earth and that frightened even some of his closest friends. Cassius, a once loyal follower of Caesar devised a plan to kill Caesar for his ambition and thirst for power. Along him he dragged Brutus, one of Caesars closest friends, into the scheme. Brutus was a loyal to Caesar, but stated he cared more for Rome, and in Caesars ambition for power, Brutus said it was not in the greater benefit of the Roman people. Following the murder of Caesar, Antony, an always loyal friend to Caesar, walks in and finds the Conspirators surrounding Caesars dead body. He doesnt agree to what they have done, but he cant express his disgust. However, he is given the right to speak for Caesars honor in front of the Roman people and this is one of the most memorable speeches in the history of time. Brutus also speaks, but he couldnt persuade the crowd more then Antony would. Following the departure of the Conspirators from Caesars the Capitol, Brutus speaks in the streets of Rome in front of a massive crowd. The others that didnt listen to Brutus, listened to Cassius speak on a separate street. Brutus begins by saying, yes he was a dear friend of Caesar, but his love for Caesar was unparalleled to his love for Rome. This is an valuable way to start out his speech declaring that his love for Rome is immense. He says would you rather have Caesar live and die all slaves or have Caesar killed and let the freemen live on. He makes and effective speech by saying as Caesar loved him he weeps for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him. This part of the speech is quite effective,...

Sweet Baby Shower Blessings

Sweet Baby Shower Blessings Baby showers are the most precious moments in the life of a to-be mother. She is filled with thoughts about her life being about to spin out of control. But a baby shower reminds her of the joys of motherhood. It is an occasion where friends and family members bestow their blessings and bring their good wishes. Here are some baby shower sayings to eloquently essay your thoughts if you are in a dilemma as to what to write on that baby shower card you just bought. Personalize your gifts and cards with these baby shower sayings. These lovely baby shower sayings will certainly linger on in everybodys memories. Baby Shower Blessings Mark TwainA soiled baby with a neglected nose cannot be conscientiously regarded as a thing of beauty.H. Jackson Brown, Jr.Always kiss your children goodnight - even if theyre already asleep.Jean LiedloffA babys cry is precisely as serious as it sounds.Carole TabronA crying baby is the best form of birth control.Elinor Goulding SmithIt sometimes happens, even in the best of families, that a baby is born. This is not necessarily cause for alarm. The important thing is to keep your wits about you and borrow some money.Marion C. GarrettyMother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.Sophia LorenWhen you are a mother, you are never alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.Ed HoweFamilies with babies and families without babies are sorry for each other.Rick BraggThis is a place where grandmothers hold babies on their laps under the stars and whisper in their ears that the lights in the sky are holes in the floor of heaven. AnonymousThis baby is your blessing,I wish happiness in every way,Good luck God bless,I sayAnd many blessings and wishes,To welcome baby into your life todayJarod KintzI haven’t the faintest idea how babies are born, probably because I fainted on the day I was born.Henry David ThoreauEvery child begins the world again.Jarod KintzI’m not opposed to new people, I just don’t like their packaging (diapers).Carl SandburgA baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.Don HerroldBabies are such a nice way to start people.Patrick RothfussIve never really understood the desire people have to quantify a baby. Hes X big and Y long, As if the baby is a fish youre not sure youre going to keep. Or some prize potato youre hoping will win a prize at the county fair.AnonymousTen fingers, ten toesShes laughter and teardropsSo small and brand newAnd amazingly angelicShes sent to bless youShes one special BabyThe best of lifes treasureAnd will grant and bless youMany hou rs of great pleasure. Erica EisdorferFor having a babys sweet face so close to your own, for so long a time as it takes to nurse em, is a great tonic for a sad soul.Edwin H. ChapinNo language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mothers love.AnonymousTake a sprinkling of fairy dust,An angels single feather,Also a dash of love and care,Then mix them both together.Add a sentiment or two,A thoughtful wish or line,A touch of stardust, a sunshine ray...Its a recipe, for a Baby Girl truly fine.John StevensonA mother does not become pregnant in order to provide employment to medical people. Giving birth is an ecstatic jubilant adventure not available to males. It is a womans crowning creative experience of a lifetime.Charles DickensI love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.Jodi PicoultNewborns reminded her of tiny Buddhas.Samuel HoffensteinBabies havent any hair;Old mens heads are just as bare;Between the cradle and the graveLie a haircut and a shave Lish McBrideYou know what the great thing about babies is? They are like little bundles of hope. Like the future in a basket.Tina FeyAh, babies! They’re more than just adorable little creatures on whom you can blame your farts.

The Financial Statement With the Continental Model Emphasizing Research Paper

The Financial Statement With the Continental Model Emphasizing Creditors Protection - Research Paper Example One practical difference that comes immediately to mind as a result of the above factors, is the different method of depreciation followed in the United Kingdom and Germany, which are at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Whereas in the United Kingdom depreciation is determined according to custom with, â€Å"convention and pragmatism, rather than exact rules†¦[determining] the method of depreciation, estimates of the scrap value and the expected length of life† (Ferrari L 2005). In Germany on the other hand, tax regulations lay down all these aspects in detail, leaving no room for subjectivity or manipulation. Needless to say, the financial statements of the same company prepared using different accounting practices would have different degrees of transparency. The more transparent the financial statement, the higher the quality and the more its value to investors and shareholders. Another difference lies in the realm of public disclosure. On the Continent, shareholdings are likely to be concentrated in the hands of a few institutional investors like banks and contacts between the company and the bank are likely to be kept confidential. Whereas, when there are more diverse shareholders, public disclosure is more common, allowing a greater number of people to asses the financial viability of a company and its future prospects and potential for growth. These differences in accounting practices, however, are a handicap in the increasingly globalized marketplace. Differences between accounting systems make it difficult to compare the relative worth of a company from an investor’s point of view, especially when the investor could well be from yet another country.

Discussion Question Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Discussion Question - Assignment Example However, given that one third of cancer cases can be traced to lifestyle, some cases can actually be prevented through adoption of healthy behavioural and dietary habits. To this end, the global health agencies have embarked on a sensetization campaign aimed at reducing cancer deaths by 8 million within a decade. Although numerous studies have been conducted to establish the real cause of cancer, none has given a definitive answer to this problem. Several factors both genetic and environmental are pointed out as likely causes. However, it is important to note that less than 9% of cancer cases are as a result of inheritance. Most cases are due to mutation of oncogenes caused by environmental elements such as cigarettes, alcohol, radiations and chemicals. In this regard, cancer is defined as a disease caused by uncontrolled growth and multiplication of body cells (Raymond, 2007). Through cell division and growth, the body is able to produce more cells needed for healthy existence. Howe ver, in some instances, the abnormal cell division and growth occurs leading to production of many cells some of which are not needed by the body. These extra cells gather to form either benign or malignant tumor. However, a benign tumor does not pose health risk because they do not move to other parts of the body. In the contrary malign tumors also known as cancerous cells multiply and damage neighboring tissues. In addition, they can separate from parent organ and spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph. With regard to cancer, diagnosis refers to the process of trying to establish whether the disease is actually cancer and its possible causes. It involves the removal of tissues from affected organs by a surgeon for examination under microscope by a pathologist. There are various types biopsy conducted on cancer suspects depending on the part of body being examined. When a needle is used to suck fluid from tumor cell, then the process is referred to as needle aspiration biopsy. Other types include excisional biopsy where the whole tissue is removed and incisional biopsy where part of the tissue is detached. After the diagnosis has been done, the process of examining its extent (staging) follow. This process is essential because it helps in determining the stage of cancer. There are four cancer stages often written in Roman numbers. Stage I imply that the tumor is small usually less than 2cm and still confined in the organ. Stage II cancer is bigger, usually 2-4 cm has not started spreading. Stage III cancer means the tumor is more than 4cm and has began spreading to the lymph nodes. Finally, stage IV means cancer has spread to other body organs Besides, staging help the physician to determine the type of tumor, check the spread, prescribe suitable treatment and predict the patient future outlook (Susan, Marsha and Margaret, 2009). Staging is preceded by clinical investigations such as surgery, blood test and medical scanning. Radiation i maging is the most common method used in staging. This can be done through Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computerized Tomography (CT) scans. Cancer like all other diseases is associated with various general and specific complications. Among the most prevalent complications is a neurological condition called brain metastases. It is estimated that 23% of cancer patients are affected by this condition. It is brought about by the spreading of tumors from other organs to the brain. Some of its side effects

Distracted driving Essay Example for Free

Distracted driving Essay Introduction – Distracted driving is a growing and dangerous problem in today’s society that can lead to accidents causing injury and even death. Risk factors with distracted driving: Talking on a cell phone while driving Younger, inexperienced drivers under the age of 20 may be at increased risk; they have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. There are three main types of distraction:  ·Visual: taking your eyes off the road;  ·Manual: taking your hands off the wheel; and  ·Cognitive: taking your mind off of driving. Statistics on distracted driving: 69% of drivers in the United States ages 18-64 reported that they had talked on their cell phone while driving within the 30 days before they were surveyed. In Europe, this percentage ranged from 21% in the United Kingdom to 59% in Portugal. Conclusion Mobile phones have immense public utility, improving communication in social and commercial interactions. Nonetheless, their role in driver distraction and consequently in road traffic crashes means that some measure of â€Å"reining in† their use while driving is required. References National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Facts and Statistics. Available from http://www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/facts-and-statistics.html. Accessed October 9, 2014 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, April 2013. Publication no. DOT HS 811 737. Available from http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811737.pdf. Accessed October 9, 2014. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mobile Device Use While Driving — United States and Seven European Countries, 2011. MMWR 2013 / 62(10);177-182. Olsen EO, Shults RA, Eaton DK. Texting while driving and other risky motor vehicle behaviors among US high school students. Pediatrics. 2013;131(6):e1708-e1715. Federal Railroad Administration. Restrictions on Railroad Operating Employees’ Use of Cellular Telephones and Other Electronic Devices. Washington, DC. US Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, 2011.

Homeschooling: A Growing Trend Essay -- Education, Parents, early edu

Introduction Today, many parents are homeschooling their children. A U.S. Department of Education’s report shows that approximately 1.5 million children were being homeschooled in 2007 (Lips & Feinberg, 2008). This is almost 3 percent of all school age children (Lips & Feinberg, 2008). A private researcher, the National Home Education Research Institute, estimates 2.5 million children were being homeschooled in the 2007 – 2008 academic years (Lips & Feinberg, 2008). By either count, homeschooling is growing exponentially. Parents have been teaching their children at home for centuries. During the 1970s, the interest in homeschooling increased. Legal advocates had lots of opposition when pressing for the legal right to educate their child at home and change compulsory school attendance. The National Education Association fought to place restrictions on home schooling. However, most of the efforts have failed. As a result, homeschooling is legal in every state. Reasons for Homeschooling Growth There are numerous reasons why parents turn to homeschooling. Changes in the families and public schools drive the increase. Public schools grew larger, more bureaucratic, and more impersonal. Parents felt more alienated as the school was less responsive and less adaptive to cultural needs. This was combined with the loss of the Christian culture and curriculum the parents found offensive or against their social values (Gaither, 2008). The major reasons for homeschooling cited by two-thirds of the parents interviewed are concern about the school environment, dissatisfaction with the academic programs, and the desire for religious or moral instruction (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2004). Parents feel ... ...ated, this was not true of the homeschoolers. The homeschoolers also tended to vote more often. They were also involved in more community service than the general population. The homeschoolers were not isolated, but politically and socially active (Ray, 2004). Conclusion There are a growing number of homeschooled students and it appears homeschooling is successful. Most parents homeschool because of the environment, both academic and moral. The states need to insure all children are being educated. However, the requirements vary by state. Michigan is the most liberal, not even requiring homeschoolers to report to the state. The internet has expanded the types of homeschooling. Combined with the availability of the public school system for specialized programs, homeschooling is now a more popular option. Homeschooling will continue to be a growing area.