Infant Sorrow Analysis

My mother groaned, my father wept,

Into the dangerous world I leapt;

Helpless, naked, piping loud,

Like a fiend hid in a cloud.



Struggling in my father's hands,

Striving against my swaddling bands,

Bound and weary, I thought best

To sulk upon my mother's breast.

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This poem is very short Blake want to trasmese the joy when a baby born; but this poem Infant Sorrow is the opposite of Infant Joy.

| Posted on 2008-06-09 | by a guest

.: Infant Sorrow :.

In this poem, Blake describes the beginning life of an infant. It can be very hard, and parents can become hinderances.

| Posted on 2008-05-17 | by a guest

.: Analysis :.

This poem by Blake is what I would consider to be a work of societal allusion. It is well-known that Blake was a Romantic; he was vehemently opposed to the industrial revolution and he was likewise opposed to the mistreatment of children by rich, despot-ridden factory-owner circles. This infant is being brought into the 'dangerous world', helpless, naked. This world is the industrial revolution. The 'swaddling bands' represent the fat that a baby is born with, initially to insulate them and provide some form of defence against their inherent vulnerability. Blake utilises this as a symbol of temporary security. While the child is young, it wil be nurtured and protected by its parents. But once the 'swaddling bands' are gone, once the child matures, they will find a life devoid of any joy or pleasure - working in the factories with no security. The child decides to 'sulk' upon the breat of its mother, almost in a manner that allows the child to enjoy what little comfort it has left. This poem is powerful in the sense that it outlines the desperate, sorrowful situation facing all ill-bred children once they begin to grow - to become able-bodied machine operators.

| Posted on 2007-11-18 | by a guest

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This poem is the counter poem of "Infant Joy" in the songs of Innocence. The poem suggests that childbirth is not always joyful and happy but can bring sorrow and pain. The response of the child itself may be different from that of the child in "Infant Joy" because of the behaviour of the parents. In "Infant Sorrow" the parents seem depressed by this unwanted birth, and this may be reflecting on the child itself. The poem's forthmost message is that from the moment a child is born, they are repressed and restricted, when bought into this cold world their existence does not matter, even if the child fights against this, they soon give up in defeat.

| Posted on 2007-04-28 | by a guest

.: :.

This poem is the counter poem of "Infant Joy" in the songs of Innocence. The poem suggests that childbirth is not always joyful and happy but can bring sorrow and pain. The response of the child itself may be different from that of the child in "Infant Joy" because of the behaviour of the parents. In "Infant Sorrow" the parents seem depressed by this unwanted birth, and this may be reflecting on the child itself. The poem's forthmost message is that from the moment a child is born, they are repressed and restricted, when bought into this cold world their existence does not matter, even if the child fights against this, they soon give up in defeat.

| Posted on 2007-04-28 | by a guest

.: :.

This poem is the counter poem of "Infant Joy" in the songs of Innocence. The poem suggests that childbirth is not always joyful and happy but can bring sorrow and pain. The response of the child itself may be different from that of the child in "Infant Joy" because of the behaviour of the parents. In "Infant Sorrow" the parents seem depressed by this unwanted birth, and this may be reflecting on the child itself. The poem's forthmost message is that from the moment a child is born, they are repressed and restricted, when bought into this cold world their existence does not matter, even if the child fights against this, they soon give up in defeat.

| Posted on 2007-04-28 | by a guest

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I believe that this poem was written to further expose Blake's views of infancy. It is brilliantly written so that upon first reading the reader is able to grasp the overall meaning. By using images such as naked, struggeling, striving, weary, and sulking he is able to sum up what life is at some point for everyone. The fact that this poem is about infancy exposes the restriction the world presents us as a welcome gift.

| Posted on 2007-01-23 | by a guest

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this is my review of Infant Sorrow by William Blake. It is a poem and it was written by William Blake. It is very good and exceeded my thoughts of what it would be. Blake wrote it very well and he didn't even make any spelling mistakes at all. so, i would just like to say a big well done to Mr.William Blake for writing such a brilliant poem.By the way thank-you for bothering to read this post because it took me ages to write it and i truly believe that this post alone is a masterpiece. It sings brilliance and cleverness just like myself.

| Posted on 2006-05-25 | by Approved Guest

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this poem uses symbols to show how people are restricted even from the moment they enter the world. children are repressed and held back, not by society ar the state in this poem, but by the people closest to them, parents. blake speaks through the new born child and on the last two lines says how he gives up to 'sulk upon my mothers breast'. this message is showing that the restriction given to children represses them and in the end they just give up.

| Posted on 2005-05-04 | by Approved Guest