The Chimney Sweeper

1. By: Aaron Ayden Caitlyn Jessica Sara The Chimney Sweeper

2. Thesis • "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Innocence is about the trials of child labor in the 18th century from the industrial revolution and the hope a child receives from an angel that appeared in Blake’s past.

3. Quick Information • Author: William Blake • Book: Songs of Innocence • Poem: The Chimney Sweeper

4. Poem Facts • Written in 1794 • In Songs of Innocence • Contrasting images of light and dark. Ex: Soot covered children and the angel.

5. Structure • The poem has six stanzas each with four lines, called quatrains. • Many images, an allusion, and symbolism. • Rhyme scheme of AABB through KKLL.

6. Childhood • A visionary child with a big imagination. • Incident with seeing angels. • Didn’t receive formal schooling for writing.

7. Art • Went to an art school. • Illustrated and published his own books. • Dead brother Robert gave him ideas for illustration style.

8. Songs of Innocence • First to be published, later paired with Songs of Experience. • Shows the innocent child view of the world. • Always positive.

9. Child Labor and Industrial Revolution • Industrial Revolution in 18th century was the cause of the rise in child labor. • Brought in by poverty or orphanages. • Children often died. • Child view, but false in video.

10. Video

11. Reasons/Influence • Christian influence from Great Awakening. • Romanticism era. • Showed Blake’s view of innocence.

12. Death/Legacy • Blake died with his poems being unpopular. • Legacy came about during 19th century and 20th century.

13. The EndThank you!