IntroductionTimelinePicturesAuthor(s)-Blake, William--William Blake: biographical backgroundThe context of Songs of Innocence and Experience-Social / political context--The spirit of rebellion - politics--The spirit of rebellion - society-Religious / philosophical context--Attitudes to man and God in the Age of Reason--Blake's religious world--Blake's religious outlook--Philosophical influences on Blake-Literary context--The Age of Reason--Enlightenment literature--Reactions to rationalitySynopses and commentary-Textual history-Songs of Innocence--Introduction (I)---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Shepherd---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Ecchoing Green---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Lamb---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The little black boy---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Blossom---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The chimney sweeper (I)---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The little boy lost (I)---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Little Boy Found---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--Laughing song---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes----More on the pastoral invitation--A Cradle Song---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Divine Image---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--Holy Thursday (I)---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--Night---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--Spring---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--Nurse's Song (I)---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--Infant Joy---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--A Dream---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--On Another's Sorrow---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes-Songs of Experience--Introduction (E)---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--Earth's Answer---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Clod and the Pebble---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--Holy Thursday (E)---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Little Girl Lost---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Little Girl Found---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Chimney Sweeper (E)---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--Nurse's Song (E)---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Sick Rose---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Fly---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Angel---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Tyger---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--My Pretty Rose-tree---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--Ah! Sun-flower---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Lilly---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Garden of Love---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Little Vagabond---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--London---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Human Abstract---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--Infant Sorrow---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--A Poison Tree---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--A Little Boy Lost (E)---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--A Little Girl Lost---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--To Tirzah---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Schoolboy---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--The Voice of the Ancient Bard---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themes--A Divine Image---Synopsis and commentary---Language, tone and structure---Imagery, symbolism and themesThemes and significant ideas-What did Blake mean by 'Innocence' and 'Experience'?-Themes and related poems in the Songs of Innocence and ExperienceCritical approaches to Songs of Innocence and Experience-Varied critical responses-An example of Marxist analysis - LondonApproaching exams and essays-What makes a good English exam answer?-Analysing a poem - The Ecchoing Green-How to plan essays-Engaging with the text-Essay questionsResources and further reading-Worksheet downloads Songs of Innocence and Experience » Timeline » 175717571759176017621763176417651768177117721773177517761778177917801782178317841785178717881789179017911792179317941795179617971798179918001801180218031804180518061807180818091810181118121813181418151816181718181819182018211822182318241825182618271759Historical1757-63: Seven Year's WarBlake, WilliamBlake born, 28th November