The Chimney Sweeper

The Chimney Sweeper
by William Blake 
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EngelsMiddelbare schoolVoortgezet speciaal onderwijshavo, vwoLeerroute HLeerroute VLeerjaar 4

This lesson contains 30 slides, with interactive quizzes and text slides.

time-iconLesson duration is: 30 min

Items in this lesson

The Chimney Sweeper
by William Blake 

Slide 1 - Slide

Any idea what a chimney sweeper is?
Answer in English

Slide 2 - Mind map

Slide 3 - Slide

First listen and read along
First listen and read along to The Chimney Sweeper 
from 'The Songs of Innocence' by William Blake.  
Look it up in Classroom

Slide 4 - Slide

The Chimney Sweeper (1794)
from 'The Songs of Innocence

Slide 5 - Slide

When my mother died I was very young,
 And my father sold me while yet my tongue,
 Could scarcely cry weep weep weep weep,
 So your chimneys I sweep & in soot I sleep

Slide 6 - Slide

Which of the following best describes the speaker's emotional state in the first four lines of "The Chimney Sweeper" by William Blake?
A
Joyful and carefree
B
Resigned and helpless
C
Angry and rebellious
D
Hopeful and optimistic

Slide 7 - Quiz

Theres little Tom Dacre. who cried when his head
 That curl'd like a lambs back, was shav'd, so I said.
 Hush Tom never mind it, for when your head's bare,
 You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair

Slide 8 - Slide

Which of the following emotions does the speaker try to convey to Tom Dacre
A
fear
B
anger
C
comfort
D
resignation

Slide 9 - Quiz

And so he was quiet. & that very night.
 As Tom was a sleeping he had such a sight,
 That thousands of sweepers Dick, Joe, Ned & Jack
 Were all of them lock'd up in coffins of black,

Slide 10 - Slide

What did Tom see in his dream?
A
Thousands of sweepers being punished for their misdeeds
B
Thousands of sweepers locked up in black coffins
C
Thousands of sweepers escaping from their master
D
Thousands of sweepers rejoicing in their freedom

Slide 11 - Quiz

And by came an Angel who had a bright key
 And he open'd the coffins & set them all free.
 Then down a green plain leaping laughing they run
 And wash in a river and shine in the Sun.

Slide 12 - Slide

What do the sweepers do after being freed by the Angel?
A
They continue working as chimney sweepers
B
They rise upon clouds and play in the wind
C
They return to their homes
D
They seek revenge on their oppressors

Slide 13 - Quiz

Then naked & white, all their bags left behind.
 They rise upon clouds, and sport in the wind.
 And the Angel told Tom, if he'd be a good boy,
 He'd have God for his father & never want joy

Slide 14 - Slide

What promise does the Angel make to Tom?
A
He promises to be Tom's father and provide eternal joy
B
He promises to grant Tom any wish he desires
C
He promises to make Tom famous
D
He promises to make Tom wealthy

Slide 15 - Quiz

And so Tom awoke and we rose in the dark
 And got with our bags & our brushes to work.
 Tho' the morning was cold, Tom was happy & warm
 So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.

Slide 16 - Slide

What do the last four lines from "The Chimney Sweeper" suggest about Tom's attitude towards his work?
A
He is scared and fearful of the harm that may come from his duty.
B
He is indifferent and apathetic towards his responsibilities as a chimney sweeper.
C
He feels miserable and unhappy about his job.
D
He is content and satisfied with his work despite the cold morning.

Slide 17 - Quiz

First listen and read along
Now you're going to listen and read The Chimney Sweeper 
from 'The Songs of Experience' by William Blake.  
Look it up in Classroom

Slide 18 - Slide

The Chimney Sweeper (1794)
from 'The Songs of Experience

Slide 19 - Slide

A little black thing among the snow:
 Crying weep, weep, in notes of woe!
 Where are thy father & mother? say?
 They are both gone up to the church to pray.

Slide 20 - Slide

What is the primary emotion conveyed by the "little black thing"
A
Happiness
B
Excitement
C
Sorrow
D
Anger

Slide 21 - Quiz

Because I was happy upon the heath,
 And smil’d among the winters snow:
 

Slide 22 - Slide

The speaker in the first two lines expresses happiness while on the heath.
A
True
B
False
C

Slide 23 - Quiz

 They clothed me in the clothes of death,
 And taught me to sing the notes of woe.

Slide 24 - Slide

The speaker describes being dressed in clothing that represents death.
A
True
B
False
C

Slide 25 - Quiz

 And because I am happy, & dance & sing,
 They think they have done me no injury:
And are gone to praise God & his Priest & King
 Who make up a heaven of our misery.

Slide 26 - Slide

What is the speaker's attitude towards their situation?
A
The speaker feels indifferent and unaffected.
B
The speaker feels grateful and content despite their circumstances.
C
The speaker feels angry and resentful towards their oppressors.
D
The speaker feels fearful and hopeless about their future.

Slide 27 - Quiz

What do the children believe their parents are doing when they ask about their whereabouts?
A
They believe their parents are sleeping.
B
They believe their parents are attending a festival.
C
They believe their parents are working.
D
They believe their parents are praying.

Slide 28 - Quiz

What is a common theme shared between both versions of "The Chimney Sweeper"?
A
Economic exploitation
B
Childhood innocence
C
Religious hypocrisy
D
Environmental degradation

Slide 29 - Quiz

First listen and read along
Go to Classroom
Do the assignments about the two poems.
Finished?
Close your Chromebooks. 

Slide 30 - Slide