Analysis of Kubla Khan

Romantic literature involves the exploration of nature and the finite qualities of the human imagination; a poet that revolutionized the concept of nature and how nature is reflected in one’s imagination is Samuel Taylor Coleridge.  This is evident in his poem, “Kubla Khan,” not only does Coleridge refer to a historical figure like Kubla Khan, but he describes the topography of Kubla Khan’s empire within the expanses of his kingdom and the vast unknown nature outside of his kingdom. However unlike Coleridge’s counterparts during the romantic period, Coleridge has no structure to his poem, it almost seems as if he jotted down his imagination of a mysterious land, one within the confines of the lush and safe empire, and another wild and restless area outside of the territory. Coleridge is known to state contradictory ideas within his poetry, nonetheless the author combines the two contradictory factors to create an overlapping understanding of the topography of Xanadu, otherwise known as Kubla Khan’s kingdom.     

           

As suggested above, it is evident in the first stanza of the poem “Kubla Khan,” Coleridge is trying to create an environment within the confinements of the kingdom, which is safe, beautiful and defined, within the boundaries of Coleridge’s imagination. But before Coleridge describes Kubla Khan’s vast kingdom, he makes a contradictory statement. Take for example in lines 3-5, “ where Alph, the sacred river, ran, through caverns measureless to man, down to a sunless sea” In turn, Coleridge is already trying to distinct historical facts and his imagination, by describing a sunless sea, which is impossible in reality but it’s perceivable in one’s imagination. He also takes into consideration, the vast and unknown aspects of the empire by suggesting, “caverns measureless to man,” thus setting up a spooky and untamed aspect to the landscape. However, in Lines 6-11, Coleridge contradicts his previous spooky sentiments by describing the beauty of the empire, “so twice five miles of fertile ground, with walls and towers were girdled round:
and there were gardens bright with sinuous rills, where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree; and here were forests ancient as the hills, enfolding sunny spots of greenery.” Coleridge basically describes the kingdom, which is peaceful, quite, lush and protected. However, he juxtaposes his previous sentiments, when he describes, “caverns measureless to man,” where as the kingdom is measurable and defined, the caverns represent what is scary, unknown and unexplored.

Likewise, we see more of the unexplored and rich expanses of Coleridge’s imagination, and what he perceives to be the wild and unknown nature beyond the walls of the kingdom. Take for example, Lines 12 – 16, Coleridge states, “But oh! That deep romantic chasm which slanted down the green hill athwart a cedarn cover! A savage place! As holy and enchanted as e'er beneath a waning moon was haunted 
By woman wailing for her demon lover!” In turn, Coleridge describes a map of the kingdom, starting up with secure, lush environment within the boundaries of Kubla Khan’s kingdom to the rolling hills and mysterious, unruly and inexplicable outer boundaries. Basically, Coleridge is drawing up a map of his imagination, from the walled kingdom to the undefined outskirts and finally to the unknown. He also uses literary techniques to explain the undefined wilderness, take for example, “as if this earth in fast thick pants were breathing.” Coleridge personifies the earth like another human being breathing and panting, but this technique is used to describe the fear of the unknown and the rhythm and general atmosphere one perceives of the wilderness. Coleridge also likes to provide transformation of the environment from within the castle borders to the unknown beyond the boundaries and that is evident in lines 19-24, “a mighty fountain momently was forced: Amid whose swift half-intermitted burst 
Huge fragments vaulted like rebounding hail, Or chaffy grain beneath the thresher's flail: And 'mid these dancing rocks at once and ever It flung up momently the sacred river.” In this passage, Coleridge is making a transition from the rigid and conformed thinking within the castle boundaries, to the excitement and exploration of nature and it’s untamed and natural thinking process.

Finally, Coleridge combines the elements that he introduces in stanza 1 and stanza 2 and provides a playful conclusion in stanza 3. Take for example, in lines 31-34, Coleridge says, “The shadow of the dome of pleasure floated midway on the waves; where was heard the mingled measure from the fountain and the caves.” Consequently, Coleridge reintroduces the concept of the pleasure dome, the fountain and the caves, which were introduced in stanza 1 and 2. He basically suggests enlightenment, the escape from conformity and the pleasure dome that existed within the castle walls and remnants from within the boundaries, to excitement of the unknown and the inexplicable effects of nature leading to knowledge, and finally to enlightenment and a sense of peace. In turn, Coleridge does an amazing job of creating a map of the environment of his imagination, leading us through different stages and boundaries of his through process through nature and history, and finally tying up the ultimate message he is trying to convey, which is one should be led to explore nature and be curious about its environment so as to lead to enlightenment and understanding, and one should not confined within the walls of society and subjected to believe what is ingrained.  

"The Tyger" and "The Chimeny Sweep" vs. "The Lamb" and "The Chimney Sweeper

William Blake likes to explore two vast parts of the spectrum of existence and experience; this concept is implicit in his “Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience.” In the “Songs of Innocence,” particularly in the poems, “ The Lamb” and “The Chimney Sweeper,” Blake is trying to convey purity and hope, respectively. While, in his “Songs of Experience,” particularly in the poems, “The Tyger” and “ The Chimney Sweep,” the author completely juxtaposes his previous sentiments in the “Songs of Innocence” by portraying the flight of innocence, the prevalence of evil and the loss of hope. Consequently, Blake is making a comparison between good vs. evil, as if he is going through an internal dilemma. Blake wonders whether the naïve nature and hopes of a child, in terms of the struggle in one’s current life that will eventually provide us with a great afterlife holds greater precedent, than an experienced adult, who questions hope and whether the struggle in one’s current life is worth a vast unknown realm of heaven.

As suggested above, Blake makes some stark contrasts in his, “Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience.” Two such poems that show Blake’s disparity are the “The Tyger” and “The Lamb.” In the poem, “The Lamb,” a child is questioning the existence of the lamb. This is prevalent in lines 1-3,” Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Give thee life, and bid thee feed.” These lines represent the innocence of the child; the inquisitiveness to understand the unknown and the curiosity of a child, consequently this continuous questioning of how the lamb came about existence is prevalent through out the first stanza.

Concurrently, in the poem, “The Tyger,” the same child is questioning the existence of the tiger. This is prevalent in lines 3-4, “What immortal hand or eye, could frame thy fearful symmetry?” In turn, the same child is curious as to how the tiger came to existence, however he is more fearful of the existence, confused how one could create the lamb so innocent and virtuous and create the tiger with cruel intent. I believe that the difference between “The Tyger” and “The Lamb,” is the speaker who once had an innocent and childish outlook of the world, also trusted god and his infinite purity and intent of good. However, in “The Tyger,” the speaker has grown up, become more fearful and questions the intent of god, questioning how he can create something so pure and good like the lamb, but also create something so evil like the tiger. In turn, the speaker transitions from full trust in god to fearful, mistrust and questioning the concept of god.   

Likewise, the poems “The Chimney Sweeper” and the “Chimney Sweep” also contain the same contrast that are developed between the poems “The lamb” and “The Tyger.” In the poem, “The Chimney Sweeper,” a child is forced to become a child laborer, particularly a chimney sweeper, however instead of being miserable about the predicament the speaker is placed in, the speaker looks at the positive outcome of the miserable life he/she leads. This is prevalent in lines 1-4, “ when my mother died I was very young, and my father sold me while yet my tongue scarcely cry, “weep! weep! weep! weep!” So your chimneys I sweep, and in soot I sleep.” These lines represent a time period in England called the industrial era where children were forced into labor by their parents due to the necessity for money. In turn, the speaker claims that he or she was so young when they were forced into such a laborious and unhealthy task. However, he or she is not saddened by their predicament, this is established in lines 16 – 20, “…Were all of them lock’d up in coffins of black. And by came an angel who had a bright key, and he open’d the coffins and set them free; then down a green plain leaping, laughing, they run, and was in a river, and shine in the sun.” This line basically suggests that if you struggle and work hard, then this place of infinite possibilities, of love, light and laughter is open to you once you have passed on. In turn, these lines represent the power of religion on children, providing them the light at the end of the tunnel, and the silver lining through all of this injustice.

Nevertheless, Blake completely contrasts his original sentiments in “The Chimney Sweeper,” in the poem “The Chimney Sweep,” where the child has lost his innocence and mistrusts god. This is evident in the third stanza, “and because I am happy and dance and sing, they think they have done me no injury, and are gone to praise god and his priest and his king, who make up heaven in misery.” In turn, the child is crying for his parents, their guidance and their love, however they have placed the child in a disastrous job, chimney sweeping, claiming that his/her struggle, misery and hard work, will lead him/her to a placed called heaven. In turn, the child holds no affection for god and claims his heaven to be filled with misery because his parents hold more affection for god, than the child itself. Evidently, the child has lost all hope, and turns to nature for comfort.      

William Blake loves to compare and contrast experience and exisistence, this manifests in the poems, “ The Lamb” and “The Tyger,” as well as the poems “The Chimney Sweep” and “The Chimney Sweeper.” He starts of by exploring the innocent, curious, inquisitiveness of a child, all that is good in the world, and this is evident in “ The lamb” and “The Chimney Sweeper.” However, innocence turns into experience, and Blake grapples with the human struggle, the loss of hope and fear. This is evident in the poems, “The tyger” and “The Chimney Sweep.” In turn, Blake makes a transition from curiosity, innocent intent and fully trusting god, to being miserable, loosing all hope and questioning the existence of god.         

Analysis of "Augeries of Innocence" by William Blake

After thoroughly reading, “Auguries of Innocence” by William Blake, I have come to the conclusion that every one line is preceded by another line to explain the consequence of an action. Blake is very blunt about the message he is trying to convey; there is no hidden agenda. In the beginning of the poem, he is reflecting on a time where things were simpler, how innocent and curious we are, as humans, when we are younger. Then as the poem continues to evolve, it portrays how humans loose the concept of innocence and curiosity, but rather rely on conformity and materialistic needs to guide their life. The whole poem is an outcry to the public during the enlightenment period, to return to a simpler time; guided by their emotions and perceptions of nature, or rather the natural flow of thought, untarnished by someone else’s views.

        

Blake thoroughly criticizes human behavior through out the poem; in fact I believe he was ahead of his time by pointing out the flaws of human society. Take for example, “A robin redbreast in a cage, puts all heaven in rage.” The red-breasted robin represents man caged and forced to follow one flow of thought, unaware of freedom and the free-flow of inspiration.  I believe that Blake is condemning conformity and the inability to see beyond the worldly and widely held views of society. He wants humans to see beyond what is drilled within our minds, instead he wants nature to inspire us, so we can conceive our own thoughts. Take another example, “ He who shall hurt the little wren, shall never be belov’d by men.” I think Blake is alluding to suppression, a time where the aristocracy or royalty didn’t care about the poor or middle class who worked hard for their wages, but still remained poor. During this period, royalty had the “let them eat cake” mentality, while they lead materialistic and superfluous lives. They ignored those who were not privileged to lead the same life they were born or married into, as well as neglected their responsibility to the people, which inevitably lead to many revolts. Lastly, Blake claims, “The strongest poison ever known, came from Ceaser’s laurel crown.” I believe that Blake suggests that power is poisonous; it leads to greed, and feeds on conquering different areas and decimating the human soul. I feel like Blake represents many politicians historically, who are corrupt and greedy, and forget their true responsibilities. As the famous quote goes, “ with great power, comes great responsibility.” 

Besides criticizing human nature, Blake also points out many paradoxes in society. One such paradox is, “Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in hour.” In turn, Blake suggests that infinity is something that we can grapple with our bare hands and eternity is something that we can ascertain within an hour. However these concepts are limitless and undefined, it isn’t attainable physically within our hands or within moments, it is boundless and lasts beyond our physical matter or time. Take another example, “A truth that’s told with bad intent, beats all the lies you can invent.” In turn, Blake suggests that truth told in spite and intent to hurt others, is better than lying. However, I think Blake forgets to discern the fact that certain lies are momentous and are not meant to cause harm. In fact, I believe that truth is withheld and one is lied to for their good, momentarily, due to how they would respond to the truth. While Blake explores extremes, he forgets to consider the medium. Take another example, “ Man was made for joy and woe, And when this we rightly know, Thro’ the world we safely go.” Blake basically suggests that there are true extremes joy and happiness versus sadness and misery, and once we accept these concepts, our world will make more sense and hold meaning. I disagree with him; I believe that there is more meaning to life, than joy and woe. In fact, I believe there is a whole scale of emotions in between that Blake forgets, that one needs to accept to be truly happy and lead a lasting life.

Though Blake criticizes and represents paradoxes in society, he also offers solutions to return to a time where nature and our observations offered conclusions and solutions, a time where thought was free flowing and unperturbed. Take for example, “ When gold and gems adorn the plow, to peaceful arts shall envy bow.” Thus, Blake suggests that we should return to a simpler time, where the environment and agriculture held weight and great impact on society. And by letting environment and agriculture lead our lives, we can be invincible to greed and desire. Blake also says, “The child’s toys and the old man’s reasons, are the two fruits of the season.” Blake basically suggests that the child’s ability to explore our environment and be curious should be offset by logic, and when these two characteristics work together it leads to a good impact. I completely agree with Blake in the sense that curiosity should be counterbalanced by reason, in order to be knowledgeable and un-infested by hasty generalizations that hold no weight.

        

After completely accessing, “Auguries of Innocence” and Blake’s thought process, I have come to the conclusion that he has foreshadowed many historical events that could have been prevented had society taken his words into action or listened to his train of thought. Likewise, his solutions are also attainable and reasonable, from my perspective. While they seem so simple and attainable, to change a whole society or begin such a momentous transformation, it will definitely take time and masses of people to support this thought process. Segregation in the United States wasn’t banned until years of fighting for change, likewise to return to a simpler life will not happen over night.   

- Kritika Jayanth -