Songs of Experience: A Collection of Critically Acclaimed Poems by William Blake

Songs of Experience (1794) is a renowned poetry collection by the esteemed Romantic poet William Blake. This collection reflects Blake's observations of his social surroundings, with themes and symbols that offer a critical commentary on society's changes during that time. Let's explore this iconic collection and its origins.

Introduction and Summary

Typically, Songs of Experience is studied alongside Songs of Innocence (1789) by William Blake, as they present contrasting ideas. This dichotomy allows Blake to position himself as an impartial observer of the changes in society, politics, religion, and economy, giving him the power to offer insightful commentary through his poetry.

The poems in Songs of Experience delve into the loss of innocence that comes with gaining knowledge and experiencing the world. During that period, England was undergoing rapid industrial developments, with people flocking to cities in search of better opportunities due to the Industrial Revolution.

Blake saw these rapid industrial changes as a way to enslave the population, and he expressed his disdain for authoritative institutions such as the Church of England. Even though he rejected organized religion, he still held on to Christian beliefs. His skepticism towards the growing industry and urbanization is evident in the poems of this collection.

Overall, Songs of Experience portrays the idea that adulthood can corrupt the innocent and naive nature of one's childhood. This corruption takes the form of darker human traits, including envy, possessiveness, shame, and cruelty.

Unfortunately, the social and religious authorities of that time seemed to contribute to the darkness brought on by experiencing the adult world. To make his poems accessible to all, Blake used simple language but incorporated rich poetic devices, as he believed that poetry should be enjoyed by everyone.

Although considered a Romantic poet, the poems in this collection do not necessarily fit into that mold. Romanticism was a response to neoclassicism, which emphasized individualism, harmony with nature, and the expression of emotions. In contrast, the poems in Songs of Experience tackle dark themes and cannot be categorized as 'peaceful' or 'harmonious' like other Romantic texts.

During the eighteenth century, Romanticism was at its peak in England, with renowned poets such as William Wordsworth, Lord Byron, and John Keats. On the other hand, neoclassicism, greatly inspired by classical culture, was a cultural movement that peaked in the mid-to-late eighteenth century.

The literary movements of that time heavily influenced Blake's work, and this can be seen in Songs of Experience. For instance, having spent most of his life in London, Blake witnessed the changes brought about by the growing industry and the influx of rural dwellers to the city. This led him to criticize those in power who failed to address the problems faced by the population.

The city was plagued by crime and poverty, with factory and mill owners exploiting laborers, much like the Church, which imposed strict restrictions on the people. In his poem 'London,' included in this collection, Blake addresses all of these issues and more.

Poems in Songs of Experience

'The Chimney Sweeper'

The Chimney Sweeper (1789) is a poignant poem that appears in both Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience, with each collection containing one part. In Songs of Innocence, the boys are depicted as escaping their coffins to a sunny meadow, symbolizing heaven. However, in Songs of Experience, the focus shifts to the chimney-sweeping child, who has been indoctrinated by the Church to believe that suffering in life is necessary to reach heaven. This child receives no comfort from parents or adults, highlighting the influence of authoritative institutions.

The Most Beloved and Well-Known Poems from William Blake's Songs of Experience Collection

William Blake's Songs of Experience is a poetic masterpiece published in 1794. Among his many thought-provoking works, 'The Tyger' stands out as the most popular and cherished. The speaker in the poem marvels at the fierce and magnificent form of the tiger, using metaphors of a blacksmith's trade to question the power and purpose of its creator.

The Garden of Love in William Blake's 'Songs of Experience'

William Blake's 'Songs of Experience' delves into powerful themes such as the loss of innocence and the impact of societal pressures. Within this collection, 'The Garden of Love' stands out as a poignant representation of nostalgia and sorrow as the speaker revisits a once familiar place that has been transformed by death and the presence of religious authorities. This poem captures the themes of freedom, loss of joy, and the decline of community.

London and the Industrial Revolution

Another notable poem in this collection is 'London,' which paints a vivid picture of the urbanization and misery brought on by the Industrial Revolution. Through an observant and critical tone, the speaker walks the city's streets and witnesses the effects of poverty and labor. This poem highlights themes of death, decay, and societal restrictions.

The Other Poems in the Collection

In addition to the aforementioned poems, 'Songs of Experience' also includes other powerful works such as 'Introduction,' 'Earth's Answer,' 'The Clod and the Pebble,' and 'Holy Thursday.' These pieces explore themes of corruption, fear, and misery in the face of adulthood and societal pressures.

Many of these poems have counterparts in Blake's previous collection, 'Songs of Innocence' (1789). These two collections can be seen as binary opposites, with 'Songs of Innocence' representing purity and vitality while 'Songs of Experience' delves into the corruption and loss of innocence brought on by adulthood. Some examples of contrasting poems from the two collections include 'The Tyger' and 'The Lamb,' 'The Little Girl Lost' and 'The Little Boy Lost,' and 'Infant Sorrow' and 'Infant Joy.'

Themes Explored in 'Songs of Experience'

Blake's collection delves into themes such as the loss of innocence, societal corruption, and the restrictions imposed by political and religious authorities. These ideas were heavily influenced by the poet's skepticism towards the Industrial Revolution and urbanization in England, particularly in London.

Religious allusions and symbols are prevalent throughout the poems, representing the influence of Christianity on Blake's work. However, he presents these ideas in an unbiased manner, recognizing both the positive and negative aspects of religion and society.

Key Takeaways from 'Songs of Experience'

Overall, 'Songs of Experience' is a thought-provoking and influential collection of poems that reflect Blake's social, political, and religious environment. Its counterpart, 'Songs of Innocence,' serves as a contrast to the themes explored in this collection. By thematically separating the two, Blake presents a balanced view of the merits and demerits of both states.

About the Collection

Published in 1794, 'Songs of Experience' is a compilation of 26 profound poems by renowned poet William Blake. Within this collection, Blake delves into themes of poverty, misery, death, and the societal restrictions that impact individuals.

'Songs of Experience' in Comparison to 'Songs of Innocence'

While 'Songs of Innocence' showcases happier and lighthearted poetry, 'Songs of Experience' takes on a darker tone as it addresses more serious issues. While the former focuses on purity and innocence, the latter delves into the loss of innocence that comes with gaining worldly knowledge.