Blake's Poetry

1) Yes, I do agree with the editors of the textbook that Blake's poetry had the power to enact social change by appealing to the imagination of the reader. The editors of the textbook claim that the Romantic poets hoped to bring about social and political change through their poetry which I believe Blake does. Blake describes the harsh conditions and psychological turmoil that child workers of the late 1700's endured. Blake lets the readers know that most of the children in the 1700's where sold into these harsh working conditions by their own parents. These children walked around with a smile on their faces showing no pain but deep down inside they were emotionally and physically drained and unhappy. Blake wants his readers to put themselves in these children’s shoes because he feels that a change is desperately needed.

2) After reading the Parliament transcript I had registered a clearer image of what Blake was trying to portray about child labor. The transcript described the harsh conditions and punishment the children endured which made Blake’s words come to life. I believed the editors included the Parliament transcript as a primary source document because they were showing the reader the meaning behind Blake’s poems.