Innocence lost in William Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper"

William Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper" offers a graphic portrayal of a particular cultural aspect of England in the 1790s. By examining my interactions with the poem, I will attempt to analyse and contrast my own belief system against that which is presented in the text.         Blake's poem was initially very striking to me. While reading the first stanza, I was shocked and horrified by the imagery presented by the young narrator. I felt compelled to …

…conditions under which they were forced to work.         I believe that this poem is a societal statement of England in the 1790s, made by Blake to express his disgust with the treatment of the children in his community. The poem is successful in relaying Blake's feelings to an individual such as myself, several centuries later: an indication that pertaining to the treatment of children, Blake shares values which are common to many people of today.