6V - Introductie literatuur + chimney sweeper 1/2

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

William Blake and Romanticism 

• William Blake is one of the most well know poets from the Romantic era
  
• The Romantic was an artistic, literary, musical and intellectual movement that originated in Europe towards the end of the 18th century
  
• Romanticism was characterized by its emphasis on emotion and individualism as well as glorification of all the past and nature, preferring the medieval rather than the classical

Today:

The Chimney Sweeper by William Blake

• William Blake wrote two poems which he both called 'The Chimney Sweeper'
  
• The first poem was published in 1789, the second one in 1794.
  
• Both poems address the fate of young chimney sweepers from the 18th and 19th century who were often 'sold' by their parents to work in miserable conditions sweeping chimneys

What is meant with 'weep!' 'weep!' 'weep!' in line 3?

Explain why he says: ''in soot I sleep'' in line 4

What is indicated by the comparison of Tom's hair with a ''lamb's back'' (line 6)?

What do the ''coffins of black'' (line 12) stand for?

Line 15 & 16: in what way is Tom's dream different from his real life? Explain in some detail.

Line 20: what does the word 'want' mean here?

There is a contrast in line 17/18 and line 21/22. Explain this contrast.

Explain the last line of the poem

Explain what the word 'because' has in lines 5 and 9.

What are the clothes of death in line 7?

What are the notes of 'woe' in line 8?

Who are criticized in the last two lines?

Explain what is meant with the last line of the poem?

Discuss the contrast between illusion and disillusion illustrated by the two poems.

Illusion:

dreamworld - escape from reality - optimistic outlook on life

Disillusion:

bitterness - distrust - accusation - awareness of circumstances - sarcasm