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  • Essay / The Symbolism and Meaning of “Jerusalem” in Relation to English History

    “Jerusalem,” by William Blake, is a contemplative depiction of the development of England during the period in question. This poem focuses on the theme of England's loss of innocence; this is important because it shows that development is not, as is often thought, beneficial for a country; on the contrary, it destroys nature and corrupts humanity. Through the use of descriptive imagery, Blake conveys the “wicked” transformation that nature and humans undergo due to modernization. The use of anaphora and rhetorical questions both accentuates the theme of lost innocence and reinforces the poet's desire to regain that innocence. Additionally, Blake's skillful use of figurative language enhances the reader's understanding of the poem. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get an original essay Throughout the poem, Blake uses vivid imagery to describe England's loss of innocence due to industrial development . Blake begins the poem by painting pictures of the innocence of nature in the reader's mind, using words such as "green mountains" (2) and "pleasant pasture" (4). It depicts nature as peaceful and beautiful: as it has always been and as it is always meant to be. In the second stanza, however, images of nature's innocence are lost and replaced by images of "cloudy hills" (6) and "dark satanic mills" (8). These images suggest that the development of England is causing a loss of the innocence of nature. The pristine beauty of nature is tainted by industrialization; the hills that were once green become darkened and the mills that were once suppliers become satanic. Blake cleverly uses imagery to show the effects of England's development on nature. Additionally, Blake uses imagery to depict humans losing their innocence. Before the development of England, people led a simple life, the life of the “holy Lamb of God” (3). The people lived a simple life resembling that of Jesus Christ, where there was no greed, jealousy, or corruption. This innocence, however, was lost due to the industrial development of England. People took on the characteristics of “cloud hills” (6). Those who previously led honest lives have been corrupted by greed and power. Their innocence was obscured by sins and was ultimately lost. Blake also uses rhetorical questions to convey the theme of lost innocence. Blake begins the poem with four rhetorical questions, which he uses to illustrate the main theme of the poem: "And did these feet in old times walk upon the green mountains of England?" » (1-2). By wondering if the mountains of England were green in the past, Blake evokes the theme of lost innocence in the reader's mind. The reader learns that England had green mountains in the past, but they have now been transformed into "cloud hills" with "dark satanic mills" as a result of industrialization. Blake uses this question to emphasize nature's loss of innocence. Additionally, Blake uses anaphora to emphasize his determination to regain England's innocence: Bring me my bow of burning gold! Bring me my arrow of desire! Bring me my spear! O the clouds are revealed! Bring me my chariot of fire! (9-12) To reinforce Blake's determination, strength, and desire to regain his innocence, the speaker skillfully uses anaphora. Through this type of repetition, the,.