William Blake The Echoing Green

Q.1 Describe the events that take place when the sun rises.
When the sun rises, it makes the skies happy, the merry bells ring as if they are
welcoming the spring, birds of the bush like the skylark and thrush sing louder when
they hear the cheerful sounds of the bells.

Q.2 What does the term Green refer to?

The term Green refers to a grassy field usually found in English villages where the
village people of all ages usually meet.

Q.3 Why does the poet use the term The Echoing Green?
The poet uses the term The Echoing Green because the Green is bursting with the
sounds of nature, of the children playing outdoors and of the old folk who watch the
children joyfully playing and remember their childhood days.

Q.4 Who observes the sports played by the poet and the other children?
Old John with white hair, along with the other folk laugh and enjoy watching the
games played by the children.

Q.5 Quote the lines that remind them of their youth.

The lines are: Such, such were the joys When we all, girls and boys, In our youth
time were seen On the Echoing Green.

Q.6 What happens when the sun begins to set?

When the sun begins to set, the little ones become weary and their sports have come
to an end. Round the laps of their mothers, many sisters and brothers like birds in their
nest are ready to rest.

Q.7 What word does the poet use to describe the Green at the end of the poem?
The poet describes it as the darkening Green as the sun has set and the sports and all
other activities have come to an end.

1. To say that Blake was a radical is obviously itself an insufficient statement.

What were the political limits on his radicalism? Discuss the question with
reference to at least 3 poems.

2. What does Blake tell us about either the injustices of 18th century life, or about
human nature? Illustrate closely from at least two poems.

3. Show how Blake shows his own thoughts and feelings about changes taking
place in society, with reference to at least 4 poems.

4. To what extent does Blake consider individuals responsible for what they do?
Are they in fact at the mercy of larger forces which dictate their lives? Answer
with reference to at least 4 poems.

5. In what sense and to what extent are Blakes poems held together by a
common narrative perspective?

6. How far do you agree that Blakes apparent simplicity of thought and language
often conceals a profound vision of life?
7. Blakes poems contain timeless truths, but these spring from his reactions to
his own society. What truths have you found, and from what experiences do
they arise?

8. How does Blake present his vision of paradise on earth in his poems? (Jan
2005)

9. How does Blake seek to influence the feelings of his readers for the victims of
a society which he believed was based on fear and repression rather than on
the brotherhood of man? ( June 2002)

10. A French Romantic poet stated Romantic poetry springs from our agony and
our despair. Referring to relevant poems, how far is this true of Blakes
poetry? (Jan 04)

11. To what extent is it true that Blakes revolutionary vision dominates his
poetry? (Jan 04)

12. What impression do you receive from his poems of Blakes own religious
beliefs? In your answer, write about themes, tone and style of not more than
five poems. (June 05)

13. What features of subject matter and style have you found in the poems to show
that Blake may be described as a Romantic poet? (June 05)

14. The child is central to Blakes poetic vision. How far do you agree? (Jan 06)

15. Conflict lies at the heart of Blakes poetry. How far do you agree? (Jan 06)

16. Contraries and opposites illuminate his poetic vision. How far do you agree
with this description of Blakes poetry? (June 06)

17. In Blakes view of the world, nature liberates: man imprisons. How far does
your reading of the Selected Poems lead you to agree? (June 06)

18. How far and in what ways do you agree that images of fear, horror and
revulsion dominate Blakes poetry? (Jan 07)

19. The power of Blakes poetry is to make the reader see the world afresh. How
far do you agree? (Jan 07)

20. Blakes poetry is concerned less with the natural world than with the world of
the imagination. How far do you agree? (June 07)

21. The particular strength of Blakes poetry lies in its ability to evoke sympathy
for the sufferings of others. How far and in what ways do you agree? (June
07)