Hello and welcome to the Discourse. ‘Auguries of Innocence’ is a poem by William Blake that remained unpublished during his lifetime but was later published in 1863. The poem was probably written in 1803 in which Blake infused his ideas of contradiction expressed in his collection Songs of Innocence and Experience within a single poem. Thus, the poem offers the construction of both an innocent, child-like narrative, and a mature, adult narrative and puts them together to show the hypocrisy and the chaos of life. The speaker offers various images of innocence, juxtaposing them with images of corruption, decay, or evil. ‘Auguries’ means omens or signs. The poem is a long assembly of conflicted situations laden with warnings and omens of judgment. The poem draws a line pitting the innocent or underprivileged against those blessed and elite. The poem offers many paradoxes, vivid animal imagery, and strong themes about social inequality, and the oppression of animals, the poor, and children.
Structure of Auguries of Innocence:
The poem consists of 132 lines composed in a single stanza. The first four lines are written in the nursery rhyming scheme ABAB while the remaining lines are written as couplets following the rhyming scheme of AABBCCDD and so on. The poem follows no definite metrical scheme but Blake predominantly used iambic meter throughout the poem though there are variations including spondee, trochee, and anapest. The first four lines are the most popular and oft-quoted lines by William Blake. These lines offer the general introduction to the whole poem and suggest a mathematical integration to understand the whole in the very small, and pondering those metaphysical concepts beyond man's comprehension by observing them locally. The poet used alliteration, repetition, metonymy, metaphors, and simile throughout the poem. The main theme of the poem is the oppression and exploitation of the underprivileged and innocents by the elite and the religious structure of the society. The poem raises concerns about the misconstruction of ideas such as mercy, piety, love, and faith by the money-hungry bishops and nuns of the Church of England. The poet emphasizes the power of human creativity and freedom; and the spiritual unity with the divine which doesn’t require any mediator.
Summary of Auguries of Innocence:
Lines 1-4
“To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour”
The first quatrain is the most popular, often used by wrongly suggesting that they express the definition of poetry as a whole (What is Poetry?). However, the poet is not writing about poetry, rather it is a social commentary. The poet uses vivid imagery and symbolism to express a radical idea that the infinite (“Heaven”) can be seen through something that is not even human, but still life, very small (“through a Wildflower”). The poet describes what is innocence and suggests that innocence is to look at a “Wild Flower” and see “a heaven” of happiness whilst others would simply walk by without noticing it.
In the next two lines, the poet offers some mathematical integration while suggesting that the whole can be understood in its entirety by studying the very small part of it. The general idea is that a person has more control over time if they stop to see the bigger picture in everyday things, as this allows them to live life in a more wholesome manner instead of always worrying about time slipping through their fingers. The speaker suggests that eternal life is not what one should think about, rather they should develop the skill to live eternity within an hour, a moment. The poet continues to employ the mathematical idea of integration in the rest of the poem.
Lines 5-8
“A Robin Red breast in a Cage
Puts all Heaven in a Rage
A Dove house filld with Doves & Pigeons
Shudders Hell thr' all its regions ”
The birds symbolize ‘freedom and innocence’ being destroyed by man: putting birds in cages or birdhouses restricts their freedom, and is abhorrent to the poet. The red color often depicts the devil and according to Blake, the devil represents free will, dare, and the ability to question authority (Marriage of Heaven and Hell). Cage a bird is an act of brutality that creates rage and shudders in Heaven and Hell. The poem was written during the period of the French Revolution and the American Revolution. These lines indicate Blake’s opposition to slavery and apartheid. Blake abhorred slavery and believed in racial and sexual equality. Several of his poems and paintings express a notion of universal humanity. The poet describes humanity enslaving humanity, as an act so diabolical, that even the Devil finds it overwhelmingly evil.
Lines 9-12
“A dog starvd at his Masters Gate
Predicts the ruin of the State
A Horse misusd upon the Road
Calls to Heaven for Human blood”
In these lines, the poet describes the interrelatedness between these different aspects of society: the way we treat (or mistreat) animals informs the way we view our fellow humans whom we consider beneath us. In short, if we will let our dogs starve, we will probably let the poorest people among us starve, too. However, the poet is not just expressing his annoyance against the mistreatment of animals. He mentions that the condition of this dog is a clear prediction that the state will be ruined. In fact, the dog represents the common citizenry, the poor, the underprivileged, and the downtrodden, while the master is the government. The speaker accuses the state and government and their inability to care for their people and says that the ill-situation of the common citizenry is an indication of the state in ruins. While the dog represents loyalty, starvation leads to drastic measures. The homeless, the poor, the hungry, and the unemployed soldiers often turn to crime to support their families. While the dog represents poor dilapidated soldiers, the horse represents mistreated slaves, workers exploited in mills, the Chimney sweepers. The idea is that the strength and prosperity of a nation cannot be measured by the grandeur of its rulers, the elites. One should rather look for the underprivileged and the downtrodden. If the state is not taking care of them, it is in ruins. A similar idea was used by Mahatma Gandhi in his Talisman, “Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny?” ~ Mahatma Gandhi!
Lines 13-16
“Each outcry of the hunted Hare
A fibre from the Brain does tear
A Skylark wounded in the wing
A Cherubim does cease to sing ”
The offers more animal imagery maintaining the notion that the innocent always become prey to abuse. The speaker expresses his disagreement against hunting games by the elites and says that even Heaven doesn’t approve of it. A Cherubim is an angel. It stops its signing at the wound of a bird (Skylark) or a hare hunted down, affirming animal rights in the reign of God. The poet also indicates and opposes the colonial expansionist ideas of the British government which becomes clear in the following lines.
Lines 17-20
“The Game Cock clipd & armd for fight
Does the Rising Sun affright
Every Wolfs & Lions howl
Raises from Hell a Human Soul ”
The cock here represents the soldiers forced to follow the orders of the state, as if they are game cocks, ordained to fight other human beings, to exploit, oppress, and enslave them. Parallel to this, the poet also criticizes the rooster games and says that the howls of lions and wolves when they are hunted down tremble heaven as if the human soul is rising from hell. The poet relates animal cruelty to belonging in hell, which implies that hurting the innocent is an act that is considered worthy of hate or devilish, and so is the idea of attacking, winning, and colonizing other lands.
Lines 21-24
“The wild deer, wandring here & there
Keeps the Human Soul from Care
The Lamb misusd breeds Public Strife
And yet forgives the Butchers knife ”
In these lines, the poet expresses his disdain against the common hypocrisy and says that while we appreciate a wild deer, and often oppose hunting of wild animals, or the abuse of animals in farms. But when the same lamb is cut down by a butcher to prepare delicacies, we forget everything. The poet raises the question of why it is not acceptable to hunt wild animals but it is fine to slaughter lambs, cows, and pigs at butcher houses and eat them.
Lines 25-28
“The Bat that flits at close of Eve
Has left the Brain that wont Believe
The Owl that calls upon the Night
Speaks the Unbelievers fright”
The speaker compares the animal rights believers who enjoy the meat of cocks, lambs, and cows to bling bat that flies “close to eve” and is said to have left the “brain that wont believe.” The poet says that such hypocritical people who cry for animal rights while tasting delicacies made of murdered animals are blind to logic and reason. The Wise Owl, on the other hand, addresses the hypocrisy or blindness of these bats, or hypocritical people who are afraid of the owl speaking the truth and highlighting their hypocrisy.
Lines 29-32
“He who shall hurt the little Wren
Shall never be belovd by Men
He who the Ox to wrath has movd
Shall never be by Woman lovd”
The speaker declares that anyone who hunts birds and enrages Ox or kills them to impress women should never be loved by women or anyone in society.
Lines 33-36
“The wanton Boy that kills the Fly
Shall feel the Spiders enmity
He who torments the Chafers Sprite
Weaves a Bower in endless Night ”
The poet continues to criticize those people who although oppose cruelty against animals continue to destroy the lives of little animals carelessly. He mentions a careless little boy who kills a fly, for no reason or benefits at all and so he earns the “Spiders enmity”. The enmity of the spider could be because he killed a potential meal for the spider, causing more harm than he intended.
The speaker suggests that even little insects, such as beetles, have souls, and harming them can cause you to be lost in a lonely “endless night,” referring to hell.
Lines 37-40
“The Catterpiller on the Leaf
Repeats to thee thy Mothers grief
Kill not the Moth nor Butterfly
For the Last Judgment draweth nigh ”
The poet continues to mention even the smallest “animals” like moths, butterflies, and caterpillars because he is focusing so heavily on their innocence and the basic right to live life without cruelty. The speaker asserts that every life matters and even killing a butterfly or moth counts as murder in God’s eyes.
Lines 41-44
“He who shall train the Horse to War
Shall never pass the Polar Bar
The Beggars Dog & Widows Cat
Feed them & thou wilt grow fat ”
In these lines, the poet stresses the principle of Karma, suggesting that a person’s actions have consequences especially when they target animals. If someone trains a horse to fight a war, he misses the spiritual world. On the other hand, those who show mercy on innocent animals and the poor gentry, the beggars and widows, will grow rich and fat.
Lines 45-48
“The Gnat that sings his Summers Song
Poison gets from Slanders tongue
The poison of the Snake & Newt
Is the sweat of Envys Foot ”
The speaker continues to discuss little animals in nature while pointing out the ills of human society and says that a happy gnat singing happily in summer won’t harm anyone unless it is disturbed. A snake or a newt won’t bite if no one footsteps on them. While mentioning these animals, the poet points out at envy of people who often slander against others for their achievements. Blake relates the poison of slander to the poison of jealousy.
Lines 49-52
“The poison of the Honey Bee
Is the Artists Jealousy
The Princes Robes & Beggars Rags
Are Toadstools on the Misers Bags ”
The poet continues to highlight how we humans are more dangerous than the little creatures of nature. He mentions the miserliness and the attitude of hoarding of the rich class who won’t help beggars and downtrodden. He questions why don’t humans have the innocence to help those who have very little by expecting those who have a lot to share.
Lines 53-58
“A Truth thats told with bad intent
Beats all the Lies you can invent
It is right it should be so
Man was made for Joy & Woe
And when this we rightly know
Thro the World we safely go”
In these lines, the poet suggests that intent is more important than truth. He accuses the rulers and politicians who would justify harm and injustice by using facts to support their position. He says that when people speak the truth and expose it only to make matters worse intentionally, it is worse than lying to cover up wrongdoing; mainly because the intent is conniving.
The poet says that he does not know if the purpose of a man is to do good or bad, but when someone knows what is good and what is bad, it is their choice to be either the abuser or the helper.
Lines 59-62
“Joy & Woe are woven fine
A Clothing for the soul divine
Under every grief & pine
Runs a joy with silken twine ”
The poet shifts the discussion and says that joys and suffering are intertwined as humans we are to face both. Expecting only pleasure and joy without any hardship and woes is foolish because they are interwoven. The poet says that we humans are not perfect beings, we can do both good and bad. But when we realize what is good and bad, we should opt to live a life that is not harmful to anyone, not even the little creatures of nature.
In the remaining couplets of the poem the poet continues to highlight universal interdependence, the principle idea that there exists a correspondence between equivalent entities that lie on completely different planes. He continues to pinpoint human folly and exhorts people to opt for the righteous path. At the end of the poem, he reiterates the belief in God, which saves us: we are born in a dark place, and we might die in that dark place, however at the end of our lives, we will come to terms with God, and things will be made better.
So this is it for today. We will continue to discuss the history of English literature. Please stay connected with the Discourse. Thanks and Regards!
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