William Blake: 'London' - Mr Bruff Analysis

[@mrbruff]

Check out my ultimate 'Power and Conflict' poetry analysis video: 3 key points for all 15 poems 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6O7pZRspJJqjsk

[@emilywallis5981]

'Runs in blood down palace walls' could also mean that the people on the inside (the upper class people, the monarchy, the Government) are all safe. However all of the lower class people are suffering on the outside and these upper class people can see that as the 'blood runs down the palace walls', but they don't care and are unwilling to do anything about it. It is like a metaphor for the safety of the upper class and how the lower class are left to suffer and the divide in society.

[@georgekitson3232]

this is great 👌

[@Mr-cr2ob]

safe G ill use that tomorrow

[@pacman1233]

Emily Wallis 🇼🇫

[@Mr-cr2ob]

muniranasiri No is shit

[@Alicia-go8lw]

Emily Wallis I'm currently making essay plans for my mock tomorrow and I remembered your comment and came back here to thank you- I'm using your point and a couple of interpretations of my own that were inspired from it. 👍

[@Nemofun1]

For the STRUCTURE you can write that the regular rhyme scheme could represent how London looks organised from afar but close up it is very chaotic

[@edhfilms5238]

123 456 thank you!

[@mosafajeff6917]

Thanks mate

[@skellyskellyyy]

How does the structure look organised but also chaotic as it is regular?

[@claudiamitu6895]

yas

[@millie2544]

@@skellyskellyyy The structure of the poem is regular to reflect how London appears organised from afar (also supported by language in 'chartered'). However, the actual content of the poem describes the real experiences of those who live in London, as a critical observer like Blake would see. The orderly structure could also reflect how the government tries to erase the chaos and suffering of the people in the city.

[@je8828]

When your homework is to watch this video

[@mrbruff]

lucky you!

[@je8828]

I know and good video I understand it a lot better now so thanks

[@chloe4lifexx394]

CPU Uzume my homework is to watch this and analysis the poem thanks mr bruff

[@jakovnik846]

JesusKun69 I know what you mean but mrbruff helps me understand these poems a lot thanks :D

[@juliuschofor787]

same

[@BubbleNuggets_]

Mr bruff comes in clutch for English homework

[@suze1958wilde]

I'm a teacher myself, and I do enjoy listening to your talks. Bless you. Your selection of material and your analysis is very engaging.

[@mrbruff]

Thank you. I'm glad you've found it useful.

[@Vixenish56]

Fun fact: This is still being set as homework,

[@maru5259]

I’m doing it rn lmao

[@leftthumbz1174]

@@maru5259 lol same

[@post-hardcoreGuy]

My hwk was to wat h it from massolit, but the lessons so i am gonna use this

[@zuhrahrehman3065]

Lol

[@annemarie8118]

I would like this comment but that would stop it from having 69 likes

[@cubershil6298]

i would say that mrbruff is gold but lets be honest, he is diamond. Something we all want and love to have, it helps us show how much we care. I love your videos

[@Prodpyro]

you could say that the enjambment embedded within the controlled quatrains, could convey how the uncontrolled chaos during Victorian London was forcefully contained and hidden from the respectable/looked upon higher class, whilst the lower class endured/dwelled in it.This is seen during the industrial revolution when housing was unsanitary; disease was easily contactable and work expectations surpassed the people's physical capabilities; ultimately leading to chaos which was hidden from the richer societies as well as contained by government powers, in attempt to cover up the social issue, enough not to hinder the social attitudes of higher class/perception of london.

[@marthazanta495]

Joseph that’s some top tier stuff there👍

[@Jack-uz4ve]

Joseph what quotation could you say that for?

[@marym6678]

deep

[@Alisha-xj8ry]

not exactly Victorian, 1794 so written in Georgian era but yeah the rest still applies

[@thatoneguy1721]

@@Jack-uz4ve chartered

[@mysuperpuffle]

the strong controlled mechanical quatrain structure shows how the people of London are machines and controlled to work

[@MEGAgr8girl]

Excellent point!

[@mysuperpuffle]

OMG ANTONIO CONTE REPLIED TO MY COMMENT!!! YOU'RE GREAT AT MANAGING YOUR FINANCES!

[@baby2343]

could also be referencing the shift to machines and factories due to the industrial revolution

[@jacobmoney9831]

​@@MEGAgr8girl I ii7iby hi ono888yioiijiiyninkijiinkuiyioijiihi junk omg no iihkii9p999 I o999 III 99o9hn II 9⁹oops 9 ok I ii ki yoi you III o ii I I you 9 I Kaur po 9 b nmn l b on bb b n l nnn m mm.. .. . N . . . . .. ... . . ... . Mm 😊😊😊 😅

[@caitlinhopkins738]

The entire 3rd stanza, each line has 7 syllables. You said how having less syllables makes that line weaker, could it also suggest that is has less of a significance and is focused on less at that time in history. The suffering is noticed, not cared about but noticed, however the causes (the topic of the 3rd stanza) weren't realized by most people, the corruption of the ones holding the power wasn't acknowledged.

[@fahimshah9050]

That helped. thanks!

[@amberb9032]

Yes that is an amazing point. Adding onto that for a different perception, you could say that as there is less syllables, implying weaker, you could suggest that Blake is criticising the government, the supposed elite, he thinks they are more inferior and morally wrong to God for causing such a sin and this makes them worse.

[@vorkaath1402]

33 salty teachers disliked the video

[@x_sadz_x1084]

lol probably some salty students who think they are too good for this XD

[@CrashBoat07]

64

[@mahadaweys2116]

69. Hmmmmm.

[@leventkoymen4852]

74

[@tannerteddo]

umm, no, they wernt....

[@willgillies9480]

i swear analysing poems is just chatting complete rubbish about one tiny thing - did he really use less syllables to weaken the line or is it just a coincidence 😂

[@samparsons2004]

I can almost guarantee that over half of the stuff in all poems are complete bs that the writer never intended to do

[@Sixty4Horses]

Will Gillies if you look hard enough, you can find coincidences between almost any two things. Was this intended? We will never know...

[@willgillies9480]

64 Horses that’s kinda cringe bro just saying... imagine watching mr bruff in the summer holdiay

[@willgillies9480]

Sam Barringer i didn’t know one poem until watching this 6 mins before the exam. Am I okay? Yes I have air in my lungs and blood in my veins

[@willgillies9480]

Sam Barringer i get 9s too not even joking

[@-.Evan-]

2024 anyone??

[@Thatsmetaz]

Summer holidays work :)

[@LARA_ARAB]

Yep because of school 💔

[@Juleehorse24]

My assessment tomorrow

[@Upthefuckingarsenal]

End of semester assessment tomorrow😅

[@leongreen1706]

For my November mocks

[@n2bfw884]

I'm glad there are literature professors like you. I wasn't ready to learn during my classes as a young adult. Now I'm glad to have this amazing analysis and I see why my former teachers were so passionate. Thanks!

[@raichuluvr4273]

My entire school loves you for your poetry analysis videos. Thanks for saving my life too!

[@mrbruff]

+Pikazu The Raichu yay!

[@leahj1613]

“Remember A02” every English teacher in my school. Yet I still forget

[@zaydmulla3710]

for structure - third stanza acrostic is HEAR - he wants people to hear his message and make a change

[@sebwilliams3323]

Damn thats fire

[@triovoyt1808]

“Marks of weakness, Marks of woe” can also reveal how the lower class people in London were mentally scared and manipulated by the government. They had no control over the government what so ever leaving them feeling depressed, hapless and worthless.

[@jamesharrod7579]

Last minute revision GCSEs 2019 anyone????

[@rambovercetti8079]

At least you understand our desperation

[@Justin-dq1nd]

Literally right now just 2 hours left 😂😂😂

[@katieharben4617]

I watching this to get some last minute revision in 😂😭

[@korbose7859]

You call that last minute?

[@korbose7859]

Kraken Krash bro that was the other paper😂

[@dimsumdini]

The first letter of each word in the third stanza spells out the word "HEAR" and this was intentional on Blake's part as although the entire third stanza has been weakened by the reduced number of syllables (all lines in the 3rd stanza have 7 syllables) Blake wants the stories of the groups he is talking about to be heard and noticed. It's also interesting how this "HEAR" acronym is placed in the bottom end of the poem. Since it's near the end you could analyse this as the stories in the stanza being forgotten/lost by all the chaos contained in the stanzas around them, but the acronym gives them hope that they will be noticed. I'm not the most eloquent of writers (I'm working on it) but I hope this helps? Good luck for anybody who has January mocks or who are about to do the GCSE or anything! :)

[@otaku_1113]

Thank you, i love this! My friend spotted this, but i didnt know how to zoom in on it

[@dimsumdini]

@@otaku_1113 no worries!!! I hope all goes well

[@andrewh-jc5xn]

thanks mate really helped 👍

[@dimsumdini]

@@andrewh-jc5xn nw!!

[@ilovechicken4658]

Would you say this is structure or language?

[@sallyj577]

Need to search up synonyms for 'overwhelming' now lol

[@ikraiqbal6485]

guilty

[@dazfriend6099]

S J I'll

[@Yhman]

Engulf

[@Cf-zh3hn]

Mr bruff is a lad

[@evegilmour3093]

Although most lines contain 8 syllables, which highlights how people in London live repetitive, sufferable lives which they cannot escape from, some of the lines only contain 7. This could suggest that some people in London - e.g. the monarchy - are exempt from the inescapable suffering of the lower classes. This illustrates the unfair system and the differences between those in power and those not. Additionally, Blake could also be using the structure of the poem as a means of symbolising the capitalist system, with ordinary the working class people as the usual 8-syllabled lines. The lack of syllables in the other lines could then suggest that although the people at the top are powerful, they are ultimately weak because the citizens who they rule over and control are stronger, as a whole, than them. In this interpretation, Blake ultimately uses the structure of the poem as a means to attack and criticise the old-fashioned system.

[@Harini_24]

That’s true, but it could also show that people are weaker as the lines themselves are weaker in terms of syllables than the others. For example, ‘and the hapless Soldier’s sigh’ has only 7 syllables, which could show that the soldiers did not have the power to speak out about them fighting for a corrupt city as they were ‘weak’ in society. This was just my way of looking at it!

[@oliviahyde476]

if only he were my teacher, I might even pass my GCSE's

[@teamcrumb]

its really not a great take on this poem

[@vixxa1719]

@@teamcrumb what makes you think that?

[@ohnono3649]

@@teamcrumb the poems dead anyways

[@mranimeskrillex1154]

London, My last duchess and Ozymandias are some of the better poems we get to study though....

[@ohnono3649]

@@mranimeskrillex1154 nobody cares mate

[@BrassLock]

I'm 75 years old, and the last time I looked at any poetry was about 63 years ago, (what a relief that was). Spent the rest of my life reading non-fiction DIY articles and manuals. Much more to my liking. But I came across this video yesterday as a result of newly joining a creative writing class for old folks, and poetry is the topic we're studying now. Despite the knowledgeable criticisms contained in these Comments Threads, I found the video quite delightful, very helpful and encouraging especially the back-grounding of Blake's life, and the contextual analysis of the dawn of the Industrial Age. Thank You!

[@mrbruff]

No problem! Thanks for the comment.

[@ouswah.143]

wow thats long so r u still alive?

[@itshifeelings]

Who is watching in quarantine 2020?

[@musfiraharif5818]

Me G. Trying to revise all me poems now making it easier for next year.

[@charloteh3460]

Me

[@thatfastm1406]

@Musfirah arif u wanna be roadman , “top shotter” 🤣🤣

[@ar.es17]

@@musfiraharif5818 me totally wishing that was me in lockdown

[@livia9071]

try quarantine 2021

[@harshvashishth2677]

Could you say that, because an iamb sounds like a heartbeat, the fact that the 7 syllable lines end with a stressed syllable this represents how heartless the Church and those in power are, or the stress on the children forced into child labour.

[@agpb8287]

Could you say that the 'forged' part implies that our views are being shaped - as metal would be shaped?

[@jacobgregory5909]

I've got my exam in two days, this has helped a lot thanks Mr Bruff you beautiful man.

[@lewiswilson3044]

Jacob Gregory did you pass?

[@samihaque8126]

@@lewiswilson3044 Yeah, did he?

[@abi-leighbarlow5487]

@@samihaque8126 we'll never know

[@charloteh3460]

Did u pass ur exam?

[@jacobgregory5909]

Lmao update guys didn’t realise people wanted to know how I did 😂 I passed with an 8 in English language and a 7 in English literature. Thanks for the help Mr Bruff 💪

[@Ayot793]

An interesting point for "marriage hearse" could be that Marriage was intended by God to be the right context for a man and woman to come together to bring life into the world and "Be fruitful and multiply". But its juxtaposition with "hearse" which is a vehicle to carry a coffin at a funeral implies that Blake believes the sanctity of Marriage is dying, being murdered even due to the fall of man and his further corruption in the industrialized city of London.

[@baharsabet2895]

great point, thank you for this!

[@amberb9032]

You could also say how the ‘in every’ x3 is seen as a use of anaphora. The interesting use of hyperbole and anaphora, creates this idea of persuasion; it reinforces the belief of Blake and how, even more so, he wants us to agree with Jean-Jacques Rousseau, like he does.

[@yourmanjimbo]

I cried when he said "Its londonin' time", and absolutely londoned everyone. Bravo Vince!

[@jessgale2637]

I was wondering if in the 3rd stanza the first letter of the line spells out hear, it was significant? I've always kinda got good marks by making it up

[@waz1077]

what is the effect of the third stanza's first letter of the line spelling out 'hear'? Like how is it significant???

[@jessgale2637]

RD Gaming he repeats hear several times so he might be trying to reinforce the idea of no one hearing the suffering of the poor

[@waz1077]

Oh, thanks. I was thinking he is directly telling the people in authority to listen to the people suffering

[@jessgale2637]

that is also quite a good theory i would use both of them in the exam

[@MedicineAllTheWay]

that is an excellent point, well done

[@fynlayburford5430]

‘Midnight streets’ could also show that their suffering never ended, that nothing was ever going to get better for them. It’s like a constant reminder about the life their living and how they can never leave it. Even when they are sleeping they should be able to escape for a while but they can’t even escape then which could link to the context of the amount of Gin they drank to help escape from their bleak lives ... ( I hope this make some sense to anyone reading 🙂)

[@Ruby-em4wu]

The third stanza which shows the upper class as the source of the suffering, is located in the centre/embedded between stanzas as they are hiding and denying the damage they have done. They are surrounding by suffering (surrounded by stanzas depicting the suffering they have inflicted)

[@mandalorian1282]

bloody brilliant

[@OnaliLiyana]

The ABAB structure could be reflecting/mimicking the streets of London being just as tightly packed as the ABAB rhyme scheme

[@jacob4tee]

WHO IN THERE RIGHT MIND WOULD DISLIKE THIS VIDEO THIS IS AMAZING CHEERS MR BRUFF

[@cristianstoica2927]

True, only individuals with small brains would dislike this epic video

[@BubbleNuggets_]

Maths teachers probably

[@crstevens5905]

@@cristianstoica2927 hi lol

[@mirabellehenry8293]

I love this video, you rock!! I thought the poem was so boring before but it's actually fab xoxo

[@mrbruff]

Yay!

[@amazingf1238]

same:) soo interesting im so syrprisded about the deeper meanings!

[@miab1288]

GCSE ENGLISH LIT TOMORROW

[@adishetty6830]

boi is scared

[@shem9820]

same!! hope I do well

[@olliejordan652]

Mia B d

[@akmedhalal7399]

what grade did u get?

[@tessyowl1596]

GOOD LUCK !!111!

[@wizzo6641]

Here's an idea: the line "Marks of weakness, marks of woe" could show that the suffering of those lower down in the chain of social hierarchy (because the line is presented at the end of the stanza) is inconsequential to those who are above, and the break of meter here shows that their suffering is noticed for a moment but is ultimately disregarded, not as a collective issue, but as a mistake. Of course this links to Blake's dislike of power and class. I'd love to hear some responses :)

[@biggamer1024]

Wizzo nice idea!

[@gibbardogaming2958]

the repetitiion of 'in every' shows syntactic parallelism which emphasises the extent of how many people are suffereing

[@mrbruff]

+GibbardoGaming nice!

[@igorkwiecinski7248]

Bonus marks for identifying it as an anaphora!

[@Ikiguyy]

@@igorkwiecinski7248 I think an anaphora is repitions of lines that are far apart from each other, I could be wrong however.

[@Ikiguyy]

@Samiul Ali Year 11 I'm doing Alevel now lol, but thanks anyway.

[@icon1c.hom13]

great help with mocks really helped feel so prepared

[@kaisidhu2088]

#GCSEs2019😭😭

[@tashakenway9373]

to say you was on this 4 months ago I'm sure your prepared

[@lhs_pickles9448]

You were on this 6 months ago now, I am here 1 month before my exams start. Help me 😩😩

[@harrisonwright1792]

same but only watching it now wish me luck:(

[@unfunnyreferencenoonegets2917]

Sss

[@unfunnyreferencenoonegets2917]

Sssss

[@henga_0922]

Great video! Really detailed explanation, this is going to help me a lot

[@Han-rj3nf]

Hi Sir, I was wondering if you could help me (I'm in year 9) because I feel as if the grading my teacher gave me on a test isn't correct. The question was: 'How was the place presented in the poem 'London'?' Here's the mark scheme (also we were told to write three PEZALS), Band 1: 1-3 Marks (Grades U-1) Band 2: 4-6 Marks (Grades 2-3) Band 3: 7-9 Marks (Grades 4-5) Band 4: 10-12 Marks (Grades 6-7) Band 5: 13-15 Marks (Grades 8-9) London was written by William Blake in 1794. For his time, he held quite radical, social and political views such as social and racial equality as well as questioning the Church's teachings. The title, 'London' is declarative and unadorned with description and opinion. This suggests that William will depict London, 'as it is'. Throughout the poem he explores dangerous industrial conditions, child labour and prostitution to retaliate in favour of his strong Romantic ideals of the innocence of childhood. Firstly, London is described as depression and misanthropic, 'I wander thro' each charter'd street'. The poet uses a first person narrative in stanza one which personalises the poem and makes it seem more real. Additionally, the adjective, 'charter'd' makes the poem sound purposeless and reflects how the author feels powerless to change the depressed state of London. It suggests that the whole city is affected by the decisions made by the authority, which goes against his beliefs of social equality. Secondly, London is presented as corrupt and inescapable, 'charter'd Thames does flow'. Through this quotation we can see that even powerful, natural features like the River Thames are under control by humans and affected by the city's problems. Consequently, the author uses a hyperbole to emphasise the unhappy state of society, 'marks of weakness, marks of woe'. Corruption is now emphasised in the quotation, 'every black'ning Church appals.' This could have two meanings, the adjective, 'black'ning Church' could emphasise the grim visual image of the ugliness caused by the Industrial Revolution (as the Romantics rejected the shift to mechanisation) or that the Church was corrupt by failing to look after people. Subsequently, Blake exposes unfair military suffering as he has ideas about freedom and equality, 'the hapless soldiers' sigh'. He uses sibilance to show the unfortunate situation of the soldiers. Lastly, he uses a metaphor to provide an image for pecking order, 'runs in blood down palace walls.' The imagery, 'runs in blood' has connotations of violence and negativity. It could be a reference to the French Revolution because he could think that ordinary people suffer while those in the palace are protected by walls (corrupt state) or if things continue ordinary people could revolt. He could be ushering the Londoners to stop their passive and non-heroic submission to the inescapable torture of London. Lastly, London is presented as dark and oppressive in the poem, 'London'. Blake finally shows how London overturns his Romantic idealisations of childhood innocence, 'the youthful Harlots curse'. In the verb, 'curse', he hears prostitutes swearing. It might mean that they're cursing London because they are forced to resort to this type of work. Subsequently, London is presented as oppressive as the child of a Harlot is born into a world where babies tears are cursed instead of soothed, 'blasts the new born infant's tear'. Subsequently, Blake uses the powerful language of illness and disease to describe the darkness of London, 'blights with plagues the marriage hearse'. Destruction is implied with 'blights' and 'plagues'. This hints that something is uncontrollable and destined to affect a lot of people (also they had poor levels of sanitisation). Additionally, the oxymoron 'Marriage hearse', links the happy image of marriage with death (darkness) and ultimately he concludes that everything has been destroyed and the society of London is damaging, In addition, the form of London is a dramatic monologue where the first person narrator speaks passionately about the suffering he sees in the city. Subsequently, the structure of the ABAB rhyme scheme is consistent throughout the whole poem which echoes the relentless misery within the city of London. The regular rhyme scheme could reflect the sound of his feet as he trudges around. Alternatively, there are enjambment to emphasise the Thames, 'every face I meet', 'marks of weakness', to show it's flowing through London, Overall, the poet uses poetic and rhetorical techniques to create a better message against corruption and social oppression. I don't know if you'll see this or get time to read this but it'll be much appreciated if you can help me!

[@tobysykes3583]

This SUCKS

[@Skaven_Overlord]

I am an A level English teacher and In my opinion I would grade this at least a level 8 or 9. You have clearly analysed the sources and quotes rather than just explain them . Furthermore, you have done an excellent job of explaining how the Poem London and its contents would affect the audience of the time. I am especially astounded by the excellence of your second paragraph, it is a very interesting idea that would be sure to catch the marker's eye, such as where you have written the impact of the Industrial Revolution which links to the context of the time and would appeal to the audience of the time as well. Over all, I think you have done a very good job.

[@Skaven_Overlord]

Excuse me, but I think that this piece of work deserves a lot more recognition and marks for its in depth analysis, I'm sure that this student has the potential to do something truly spectacular with his talent.@@tobysykes3583

[@E-uj5jb]

I need to revise for a test and this is better than any teacher. I think we should watch your videos in class instead of our lessons

[@tgoanimationstudio9683]

Mrbuff what did u say on 13:18?

[@mangekyoumusa]

The audio stopped, but nothing was cut out, the s sound in face can be heard when the sound comes back

[@liamdraddy9000]

+mrbruff What did you say at 13:18? Thank you.

[@notactuallytesco]

"marks in every face", like in the poem line ( I got that from context)

[@dummeytitan8130]

I love London, it's probably my most favourite poem.

[@ActionmediaUK]

Thank you - global teacher! Blake was a Buddhist in his thinking - he transcended the thinking of his time and was a visionary and an outsider. His poetry resonates with us today - in this global world, we need to look at how our minds work and how ideologies from our culture/society/religion/social group create duality/hatred/ We all have 'mind forg'd manacles'. The light of awareness and meditation can transform them. Even the desire to pass an English exam with the total best grade possible - could be seen as a mind forg'd manacle, I suppose. So it is still relevant today

[@rum2174]

Could never wrap my head around this poem, watched this and it all makes sense. These videos will definetely push me for the Grade 5/6 I need. Thanks Mr Bruff!

[@mrbruff]

+PointBlankRaman great!

[@sam_9558]

Tomorrow is my midterm exam and thankfully I found this video !! So glad, now I try my best to listen repetitively and catch ideas for my essay /-heart Thanks so muchhhhhh

[@liaa..astall]

yo we still doing this for GCSEs

[@mrsakamoto]

cooked

[@aviationedits1050]

Blud this my a level stuff

[@tommuldoon767]

Pleeeeeease do them for the WJEC! They are solo useful!

[@mrbruff]

I just don't have the time

[@hannahg6627]

mrbruff I need them so much! Could you do a couple of them at leasT?!

[@TarynEverdeen]

pleeeeeeeeeease

[@DPBGaming]

I think he is doing it for AQA

[@chloe4lifexx394]

Esmirised he is doing it for AQA

[@megann5319]

the sound cut out at 13:21 for me. has anyone else noticed this

[@mrbruff]

oh yes - I don't know what that is about.

[@wingardiumbismillah607]

THANK YOU, MR BRUFF! You're an absolute lifesaver!!

[@leanandgreen]

"I wander thro' each charter'd street, Near where the charter'd Thames does flow.” indicates how everything, even a natural river is controlled and owned by individuals in power and highlights how Blake wanted to comment on the restrictions faced by ordinary citizens in London and how they are oppressed and needed freedom

[@randomaccount3054]

like it like it

[@anurai2074]

'Runs in blood down palace walls' is also a reference to The French Revolution when Marie Antoinette(queen) said 'let them eat cake'. She was probably blinded by the fact that people were to poor to even make bread so she said that. The people rebelled and beheaded her which was rather bloody. Well that's what I think anyway

[@georgekitson3232]

the use of the "soldiers" could resemble the ordinary people turned into soldiers, they are having to fight an unhappy fear for survival.

[@wattscharliedoing]

I like to see the regular ordered rhythm, of the ABAB rhyme scheme, perhaps reflects the industrial machines of London. From walking the streets, as Blake does, it can not be seen but actually, without being aware of it, it fuels the city and the revolution; allowing the government to continue to thrive by making money from the poor. The ABAB rhyme scheme also reminds me of children's poetry and helps highlight Blakes hate for the exploitation of child labour in running the factories and machines.

[@willarmitage8779]

I'd never heard of an Iambic Tetrameter before this video, thanks. I only thought there was Iambic Pentameter

[@mrbruff]

happy to help

[@alexrichardson4433]

Got an exam on a comparison question for London and hawk roosting tomorrow 😩

[@Shiv12183]

Batch of 2024 👇

[@emilylarn]

When your homework for autumn term 1 is to watch all theses videos and take note 😂

[@mrbruff]

Wow! It’s going to take quite a bit of time, but I hope you find the videos useful.

[@amira.178]

im binging all of the power and conflict videos for me exam tomorrow. wish me luck

[@izzyfox9274]

how'd it go

[@amira.178]

@@izzyfox9274 it was good but i could’ve done better i forgot to write context for one of my paragraphs

[@NihouNi]

Mr Bruff, I think I love you. You are making the job of home educating a teenager with anxiety a lot easier. Thankyou so much.

[@jacobtench9519]

A very helpful video for a poem I was struggling to understand

[@mrbruff]

Thanks

[@annabrewer9009]

The whole of the third stanza has 7 syllable lines, as opposed to the 8 throughout the rest of the poem - perhaps this could show the different lives those in power live, and how they do not have to experience this suffering on a daily basis (9:01 in video)

[@alishakhan6609]

Hi Mr Bruff, is it possible to make English videos on the WJEC exam board?

[@mrbruff]

+Alisha Khan afraid not

[@TarynEverdeen]

I'm studying with the WJEC exam board, too. This one is on the spec and this video was so helpful.

[@alishakhan6609]

Taryn Everdeen Yeah

[@alishakhan6609]

mrbruff Ok😔

[@TheCallofdeath123]

Alisha Khan what is WJEC. It it an exam board in England

[@ropasitole9630]

You could say that the iambic pentameter used is to represent the government as they are the ones who possess the most power in society, iambic pentameter is also allocated to the most powerful and intelligent. The line with 7 syllables however is a representation of those suffering, so there is a contrast between the strong and the weak linking back to the theme of power

[@will532]

london manny, it's written iambic tetrameter not pentameter. This means, as mr gruff said that there are 8 syllables to a line and there is alternating stress to each syllable.

[@ropasitole9630]

Will P ah my mistake, always get mistaken by the two! Thanks

[@will532]

No problem :)

[@oliviaelliott1333]

I had to analyse this poem for homework, thank you for this managed to do it in 40 minutes and I know a little bit more about the poem now:)

[@asmithy2001]

Thank you so much, this is the best thing i have discovered for English literature.

[@mrbruff]

+Adam Smith good

[@Dina_323]

Could you do more of these videos for time and place, my GCSE exam is coming soon and I am quite struggling. Thank you.

[@mrbruff]

I'm afraid I don't have time.

[@alexbullock9144]

this is a helpful video mr bruff

[@lilygrace7465]

in stanza 3 the first letter of every line, spells the word 'HEAR' almost as if Blake is emphasising the fact that WE need to listen to him and the higher class - who were considered as smart and well educated should understand and pick it up . (this makes no sense , sorry)

[@Ariettethe1st]

could be that his just trying to raise awareness and wants to be listened to, good point

[@riyadhul-hoque6851]

Done this for GCSE and doing it again for A-Level... Fun times!

[@tanyay1073]

Thank you!!! I'm doing A levels but I watched this anyway to help with the unseen paper.

[@mrbruff]

great!

[@tanyay1073]

mrbruff 😄

[@lizzygur5801]

i always feel like the seven syllable thing is used to emphasise the last syllable or word of the line. just a thought. ur videos are literally my saving grace dude, my exam is in 3 days and i was introduced to the channel yesterday.... thank u soooo much

[@georgekitson3232]

there is a gap in the audio at 13:21

[@mrbruff]

+George Kitson I explain the lost audio and missing words in a recent comment

[@aishaanwar7698]

thank you for analysing this poem so well. it really helped me.

[@llfe6710]

which poem would you compare this to?

[@OnaliLiyana]

Mine-forged manacles highlights the that ultimately the own people are responsible for their own suffering, furthermore hinting that the people of London should rise up again the monarchy and government just as the French did during the French Revolution. Blake is subtly criticising the people of London for staying put whilst being ruled by tyrants who do not care for the suffering.

[@OnaliLiyana]

Rise up against ( line 4)

[@Chris-vt8gs]

this was amazing I'm hoping i can use it in my exam tomorrow :)

[@tobaz4956]

how'd you do

[@JackWalkerVLOGS]

I'm not sure if this is correct or if anyone else has said it but I think the "mind-forged manacles" is similar to Marley in A Christmas Carol saying "I wear the chains I forged in life" again not too sure if they link just what I though :)

[@Rashidgurung01]

IDK, but Let's see if i watch all your poem videos and everything for paper 2 for tomorrow will help me pass, ahh, my fault for not revising at all for paper 2

[@spencerking6182]

Thank you so much for this vid. I hate poetry but this actually explains it well, clearly and in detail. Gonna watch all your AQA ones now.

[@mrbruff]

great!

[@fimurdoch3758]

Could the 'Thames' also be used because it is a symbol of London and the UKand that these views/ the industrial revolution are taking over the country

[@renaruseva3800]

For STRUCTURE. There are four stanzas with a regular alternative scheme. This could be reflecting the walking pace of Blake as he is walking down the streets of London.

[@mricy2259]

3:35 now you just made us feel bad

[@auujjkiuii6242]

mr icy innit rude

[@rebeccajessup8696]

it helped us to annotate the poem in detail. Thanks!

[@mrbruff]

Good!

[@josephgeorge2949]

Sounds like calmer version of James Corden

[@mmowolf4658]

The dynamic meaning of mark in the physical term of "marks on every face" and "marks of weakness" suggests that the suffering is both emotional and physical. Physcial due to the hard "19 hour" days.

[@purpleraider8105]

I think Harlots curse is referring sexually transmitted diseases rather than just swearing. This way it doesn't ruin innocence but the quality of life

[@JBry_]

Lochlann Hannon yes I agree I think it means the prostitutes pass on STIs and therefore ruins the marriage

[@chloe4lifexx394]

Lochlann Hannon prostitutes is not a swear word

[@sanna4604]

i think they are referring to the 'curse' part of the quote as curse is a synonym for swear :)

[@artistflare9072]

Lochlann Hannon STD diseases weren't discovers at that time (I do medicine history) so I highly doubt this cuz Blake wouldn't have known anything about them

[@caelan8819]

Artist Flare, STI’s were were known at the time (not in the way we see them today) but it was common knowledge that many diseases could be transmitted sexually.

[@jimihague5511]

Wow you helped me out here better than most teachers at school

[@miraeunalkat3954]

Great video. Thank you. You could link poem to ozymandias and first person story telling.

[@sarahconning4492]

The “mind-forged manacles” the speaker hears could be self-imposed by the people of London who have no aspirations, strength or courage to oppose this in power and bring about change. This could link to the intertextual part about Jean-Jacques Rousseau because he influenced certain aspects of the French Revolution; Blake may have done this to implore his desire for London to rise up against those in power and return London to its former glory.

[@freyalilly1014]

ok so im reading through the comments there are some unique original annotations in the comments btw like wow and i just think mr bruff kinda looks like The Puzzler from Numberjacks and now im sitting here dying

[@shayan3725]

You mentioned that the repeating 8 syllables on 'every' line is indicative of the monotonous and inescapable experiences of London, however some lines contain 7 syllables: could Blake actually be saying that it's possible for society to change, just like there are one-less syllables on some lines? Could Blake actually be trying to stress a point on the lines with 7 syllables, wanting the reader to be more focused on what he's saying in the lines with 7 syllables?

[@hassanzubair9312]

I think the power of nature theme is going to come up

[@jimmyallen6114]

Hassan Zubair or identity one of the two definitely

[@Sianne-sj2mx]

My teacher over looks poems alot spending one lesson on them while weeks on another, this is really useful to add to my notes and understand the poem and meaning behind it more, thankyou.

[@mrbruff]

Great!