The Little Black Boy by William Blake
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- Опубліковано 9 лис 2024
- Get ready for some difficult to read themes. Here we will deal with racism and slavery.
In this poem by Blake, from The Songs of Innocence, he expresses in beautiful verse a story that a mother tells to her young child about why they are black slaves living in England during the mid 18th century.
If you have followed along with my readings of Blake you will know that this is only the surface level. It is the "innocent" reading. The experienced reading will metaphorically, shake your world.
Do not miss this one.
I think this is a lovely little poem. I have wondered if he was alone expressing such sentiments. I like to think that with his visionary side I.e. seeing his brothers ascent to heaven as a child. Bless William he thought out of the box. I like to think it’s a poem addressed the little black. He may have seen oppression and his poem ro the chimney sweeps is glorious. God bless you
Great explanation thank you! I was wondering what were the solutions that Blake has suggested in order to break that cycle of the slavery mentality which was passed from one generation to another ,and why It wasn't a final answer?
interesting poem. I have not studied William Blakes Work so I appreciate your analysis. I must admit I was triggered a bit but I am glad I watched your summation before I commented.
This is also the narrative that some whites of the time that supposedly had a conscience would tell their slaves to keep them appeased. That this was their ordained lot in life to bear the brunt of white dominance with the promise of heaven and eternal life. That it is black peoples job to educate whites of their racism. A fact that is still very prevalent today. So did this mother come up with this concept on her own, or was this something she was conditioned to think by her master?
Not knowing the heart or mind of William Blake, This was a concept prevalent by Europeans that Africans were primitive, almost animal like and inherently not capable of evil or not having the concept of right or wrong. The "Noble Savage" comes to mind. For me personally, this poem conjures up a quote. (Cant say the persons name because UA-cam algorithm will block this comment.
Looking forward to checking out some more of Blakes body of work on your channel to learn more of his motivations. Thanks.
Wow...They censored the entire quote. Thats insane. I will paraphrase. "
Americas founding fathers inteneded America to be a country for you know who by you know who. All others that were not part of this certain demographic were to be the burden barriers of the real citizens of this country."
Cant believe they redacted the entire quote. smh
I think William was inherently aman of huge compassion for humans And paricularly animals e.g. a dog starved at his masters gate predicts the ruin of the , he who harms the little wren shall ne’er be beloved by men etc
I absolutely agree.
Great explanation and very clear, thank you . I am an Italian reader who didn’t study Blake at school, I’m just interested in his poetry. After listening to you, I understand what you are saying that black people are more able to love God because they are suffering more, but why did Blake assume that the white boy was LESS able to love God? That doesn’t make sense even from a theological point of view, right?
First, thank you for watching.
To be clear, I did not say that "black people are more able to love God because they are suffering more." I said that was what the mother in the poem was telling her child. The story she tells him is that their black skin is a sign of their ability to live closer to God (with God as analogous to the Sun).
I indicated my view was that there was something wrong with this mentality. I even think it is somewhat implicit in Blake's viewpoint. The mother was telling her child a story which perpetuates the slave mentality.
@@TroubadourChannel Yes, absolutely. I meant that as in the mother’s interpretation, not your personal one. Thank you!
Poem achi h but padane wala bekar