A* response essay to the question, ‘Blake’s poetry shows that the human spirit has the power to resist.’ Use of quotations, wide range of poems cited from the collection, context and contemporary societal issues and analysis.
Question 2 – ‘Blake’s poetry shows that the human spirit has the power to resist.’
Blake presents a world of both Innocence and Experience, one in which the dichotomy of these worlds
often results in positions of power abusing those beneath them, this often leading to a suppression of the
human spirit, unable to see that it can resist. In some regards, the people are presented sympathetically in
their lack of ability to recognise their own oppression, yet this is then refuted by Blake’s assertion that
man can exist in a state outside of that restriction by the church. There is also the issue of parental figures
who are oppressors of their children, born with the innate human spirit to resist this enforced ignorance
and escape to a liberated world of Experience.
A character thread throughout Blake’s poetry is the Church, a figure of authority within an 18 th Century
society, that uses its power in order to oppress. Blake conceives a notion that in people’s indoctrination by
the church, they have lost the ability to resist their teachings; the belittled ‘caterpillar’ and ‘fly’ of The
Human Abstract are content to ‘feed on the Mystery.’ This metaphor is Blake’s suggestion that man has
become submissive to organised religion, and has rendered itself a consumer of its lessons, which perhaps
would suggest that the human spirit is not unable to resist but choses to comply; however, it may be
argued that the helplessness of the metaphorical ‘caterpillar’ and ‘fly’ are presented a world in which the
‘Mystery’ is there only option. Comparatively, the fact that the poem’s narrator stands outside of the
‘dismal shade’ that is the church’s indoctrination, further demonstrates that there is the possibility of a
state of existence uninfluenced by the church, and that the human spirit is capable of escaping. Though
these poems of protestation are evidential that human spirit is able to find freedom from their oppressors,
there is acknowledgement of the severity of the church’s suppression of individuality and liberty of
conscience; the ‘fruits of deceit’ that are ‘ruddy and sweet to eat,’ are a direct assimilation to the apple in
the Garden of Eden. Blake’s metaphor here would suggest that whilst it may be human nature to indulge
in temptation, Eve and the apple, or the people and their perception of the church – there is still the
opportunity to resist. The biblical reference is perhaps a specific choice by Blake for his religious reader,
who would make this association with the teachings they understand; Blake’s utilisation of this biblical
reference emphasises his desire to awaken his reader to the flaws of the church, evaluating their faith as a
separate entity to their religion.
This specific use of biblical language is used throughout the collection in order to emphasise Blake’s
protest of the human spirit’s capability; the sentiment of Holy Thursday’s final line mirrors this necessity
for people to realise the flaws of their religion. Blake criticises his reader for their wilful ignorance in the
sight of suffering, instructing them to ‘cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door.’ The image of
an angel is distorted by Blake here, used to represent children, as a means of accusing his reader of
effectual sin; in the most explicit form here, Blake portrays the hypocrisy of organised religion – a
religion that enforces its followers to turn their backs on suffering is, in the most blatant way, against the
fundamental teachings of God. Here, the human spirit has been manipulated to such an extent that Blake
cannot excuse its reader for their behaviour; the justifiably inescapable ‘deceit’ of the Human Abstract’s
church is no longer applicable when it is connoted with society’s most vulnerable – children. ‘Pity,’ a
motif throughout the collection, is capitalised by Blake perhaps to recognise it as a constructed emotion
by the church used to spectate plight rather than intervene, ‘Pity would be no more if we did not make
them poor.’ In this line alone, Blake places culpability on the church for its oppression, subsequently
causing issues of poverty, and then both the church and its consuming followers for their maintenance of
‘pity’ as an emotion that excuses them from basic human empathy. Blake, aware of his reader’s
intelligence, manipulates biblical language and overtly presents the falsity in religion through its creation
of unnecessary emotions to highlight to his reader their choice to be complicit in an institution that
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller willowmay. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R128,46. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
