Influences on William Blake
... his belief in the poem by focusing on moral and social issues and the idea of corruption by an industrialized society. Blake is from London and at the time this poem was written, London was referred to as “the pinnacle of technology.” However, in reference to technology, he was against the development of it and defined it as a “social evil.” London outlines the major socioeconomic problems of Blake’s time in London and focuses on new industries. The development of factories and the population changes are some factors that influenced Blake to write “London.” The towns grew in the North and became crowded, dirty and unregulated. They grew so fast that no one took the time out to consider the consequences of these actions. In “The Tyger” Blake tells a story of creation different from the Genesis account. "When the stars threw down their spears / And watered heaven with their tears.” Blake believed that creation followed a “cosmic catastrophe” and a fall of spiritual beings into matter (Song of Innocence). Blake’s own visions of life included end-of-the-world images. He a...