Question 1.

I chose A CRADLE SONG from Songs of Innocence by William Blake

from my reading because it related to me the most since I recently gave birth to my
baby boy. The lullaby connected with me because I sing to my baby while holding him or
rocking him to sleep and Blakes words reminded me of my love towards my son. I
understood what the mother in the poem felt and what she was saying because I too
sing in hopes that the baby will either go or stay asleep and I pray to Jesus that he
helps me to be a good mother. Seeing my baby boy smile at me gives me confirmation
that Jesus is taking care and watching over us. The overall theme of the poem that
grabbed me the most was the mothers love for her child. I relate to her affection by the
words she repeatedly describes dovelike and sweet to express her love towards her
child and her reverence to God and her faith, Sweet babe, in thy face Holy image I can
trace; Sweet babe, once like thee Thy Maker lay, and wept for me: Wept for me, for
thee, for all, When He was an infant small. Thou His image ever see, Heavenly face that
smiles on thee! (16).
Work Cited
Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2016.

I chose The Fly from Songs of Experience By William Blake from my reading because
I recognize trying to find identity of self and purpose which I think everyone has found
themselves searching for at some point in life. The speaker makes a comparison and
asks the question Am not I A fly like thee? Or art not thou A man like me? (49) as if
their value is the same. The speaker imagines a greater hand that being of God Till
some blind hand Shall brush my wing (48) and that he is just like the fly in the sense of
dancing, drinking and singing, For I dance, And drink and sing, (48). By the end of the
poem I could come to the summation that the speaker delights in just existing with little
to no thought or worry of the next moment but rather just live in it, Then am I A happy
fly. If I live, Or if I die (49).
Work Cited
"The Fly (poem)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2016.

Question 1a. I think Blakes poems compare in literary style and subject matter when
contrasted with the poem Pope by imagination, theme and word choice. They both also,
step away from the traditional poets and writing styles of their era. Blakes poems
reflected his creative imagination and writing style. He also adds his philosophical and
religious beliefs along with sexual references which are rather rare in his era due to
oppression of all three of those topics but because of Blakes articulation of his themes
it made him one of the prominent writers during his time. However, Popes poem comes
off very defensive and critical. His deliberate writing style seems to seek a deliberate
response. It is made clear and direct in Impromptu that he was responding to Lady
Winchilsea and his belittled vision of women along with their minimum intellect and skill
set.

Work Cited
"William Blake." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2016.
"Impromptu by Alexander Pope - Poetry Foundation." Poetry Foundation. Poetry
Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2016.
Question 1b. Blakes poems do reveal his beliefs and personal concerns. The location in
London where Blake lived heavily influenced his writing subjects and themes. Blakes
word choice and imagination is a sheer glimpse of his beliefs and personality. The titles
of his poetry reflected just that such as, There is no Natural Religion, All Religions are
One and Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience.
Work Cited
"There Is No Natural Religion." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Sept.
2016.
"All Religions Are One." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2016.
Question 2. Blakes illustrations and motifs helps further depict his imagery and themes
of his vision for his work. For example, in The Chimney Sweeper he used a lot of
images along with biblical references to further utilize his symbols and themes such as,
lamb, key and river. The lamb correlates for the sacrifice for sin, The next day John
seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away
the sin of the world. John 1:29. The angel references the image in the bible of Jesus
holding the keys of hell and death, I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am
alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.-Revelation 1:18. The
washing in the river was a cleansing and healing sign towards new life, And Jesus,
when he was baptized, went up straightway out of water: and, lo, the heavens were
opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting
upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in who towards
new life. Baptism for Christians is a symbolism of old things dying and once baptized
behold all things are washed away and made new, And Jesus, when he was baptized,
went up straightway out of water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he
saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from
heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.- Matthew 13:1617.
Work Cited
"John 1, King James Version (KJV)." Read the Bible. A Free Bible on Your Phone,
Tablet, and Computer. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2016.
"Matthew 13, King James Version (KJV)." Read the Bible. A Free Bible on Your Phone,
Tablet, and Computer. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2016.
"Revelation 1, King James Version (KJV)." Read the Bible. A Free Bible on Your Phone,
Tablet, and Computer. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2016.

"The Chimney Sweeper: When My Mother Died I Was Very Young by William Blake Poetry Foundation." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2016.
Question 3. From watching the video Blakes engravings were definitely beautiful pieces
of work and were very interesting to look out while following the poem. I think that the
illustration for The Fly does not change my view of the poem but I do not think it
accurately depicts the poem. The illustration gives off a free spirit, tender childlike guard
or protection and angelic background. However, I would have imagine more of the
literature to be echoed in illustration with a fly, a large hand grazing a fly or the looks of
dancing, drinking and singing. From looking at the illustration I would have imagined
another title or another poem to help further the understanding of his literature.