William Blake's "Infant Sorrow", is a reflection of the speaker's discontent as an infant. Initially, the poem describes the speaker's birth, and then proceeds to discuss the subsequent actions and feelings of the infant. Predominately, Blake's literary work provides a negative portrayal of the experiences of an infant as the speaker is restricted within a body that does not suit its needs. The speaker within William Blake's "Infant Sorrow", invokes a feeling of confinement, which is portrayed through the use of similes, diction and imagery.
To begin, the simile included within "Infant Sorrow" alludes to feelings of confinement. The single simile in Blake's poem compares the speaker to "a fiend hid in a cloud" (Blake 4). This suggests that the infant is a malevolent individual disguised as a pure being. The white colour of a cloud is indicative of virtue and innocence, which correlates with the notion of an infant possessing purity as well. The aforementioned cloud is also reflective of Heaven, indicating that infants are depicted as divine as they are uncorrupted by sin. The speaker's statement of being "a fiend hid in a cloud" indicates that the speaker's true identity is confined within the innocent form of an infant (Blake 4). Although the lone simile throughout the poem, Blake's comparison is effective in portraying the feeling of imprisonment within "Infant Sorrow".
[...] Although the lone simile throughout the poem, Blake's comparison is effective in portraying the feeling of imprisonment within “Infant Sorrow”. Furthermore, Blake's use of negative diction efficiently conveys the sense of confinement felt by the speaker. By using such adjectives as “helpless” and Blake indicates that the speaker feels trapped by its inability to act as a direct result of the speaker's infant form (Blake 7). Moreover, the speaker's action of “struggling” against the confinement of the father and blankets indicates that the infant is displeased with its current state and is attempting to remove itself from the environment (Blake 5-6). [...]
[...] “Infant Sorrow” by William Blake includes a feeling of imprisonment, which is depicted through the speaker. Blake exudes this emotion through his utilization of similes, diction, and imagery. William Blake's depiction of birth is unique, as it is often connected to feelings of elation, as opposed to displeasure. Moreover, Blake's interpretation of the infant as the speaker provides an alternative viewpoint to that of the parents, which is quite thought provoking. Works Cited “Infant Sorrow” Masters of British Literature: Volume B. [...]
[...] Feelings of Confinement within William Blake's “Infant Sorrow” William Blake's “Infant Sorrow”, is a reflection of the speaker's discontent as an infant. Initially, the poem describes the speaker's birth, and then proceeds to discuss the subsequent actions and feelings of the infant. Predominately, Blake's literary work provides a negative portrayal of the experiences of an infant as the speaker is restricted within a body that does not suit its needs. The speaker within William Blake's “Infant Sorrow”, invokes a feeling of confinement, which is portrayed through the use of similes, diction and imagery. [...]
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