British Writers 2 – William Blake – Songs of Innocence and Experience
Week 4 focuses upon From Songs of
Innocence, Introduction, pp 48-49
Students, This is a Journal in two
parts. For this week:
1. Read the biographical sketch of
BLAKE in the Assignments box.
2. Read the handout on The Romantic
Era and the Pastoral Tradition in the
Assignments box.
3. Study the Illuminated Plate (left) that
introduces the Songs of Innocence.
4. Read The Introduction poem and its
footnotes in our textbook, pp. 48-49.
Quick Read
 Form: Short lyrics of varied meters, measures, and stanzaic forms.
 Useful Pairings: “Introduction” (Innocence) with “Introduction” (Experience)
Reading Questions
1. What does the title-page illumination (illustration) suggest about the content
of this volume? What do you see pictured on that plate, and what ideas do
you see represented or symbolized?
2. How does the “Introduction” to the Songs of Innocence represent the
practice of poetry? What is involved in that process, according to these
lyrical lines?
3. What do you think the speaker means by saying he “pluck’d a hollow reed”
and “made a rural pen?” What does he mean when he says he “stain’d the
water clear”?
4. What does the Introduction to Songs of Innocence suggest about Blake’s use
of the pastoral? Consider pastoral themes, such as the loss of innocence, the
healing power of nature, the triumph of life over death.