Poetry, Power and Social Critique: Reconsidering William Blake’s Literary Vision

Abstract

William Blake (1757-1827) occupies a unique place in English Romantic literature by virtue of his aptitude to synthesise poetry, visual art, spirituality, and social criticism. His poetry criticises established religious authority, political oppression, institutional power, economic disparity and limiting moral frameworks. Blake’s imaginative creation was not merely an aesthetic form but a way of contesting the existing institutions of authority and restoring human freedom. This article considers the relationship between poetry, power and social commentary in Blake’s major works including The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, London, The Chimney Sweeper poems and The Tyger. More specifically, it looks at Songs of innocence and of Experience. The research claims that Blake’s literary vision is mostly about the struggle between individual imagination and structures that restrict human consciousness. Not only does his contrast of innocence and experience depict childhood and adulthood, but it also displays conflicting views on society, morality, religion, and authority. Blake exposes the hidden forms of subjugation embedded in seemingly respectable organisations using symbolic language, irony, conflicting voices and visionary imagery. The article also considers Blake’s critique of industry, organised religion, child exploitation, political power and conventional morality. In the end, Blake appears as a poet whose theory of imagination is inseparable from his social criticism. His poetry invites readers to recognise oppressive structures and create alternative human existences centred on freedom, creativity, spiritual awareness, and social justice.