Sunday, June 28, 2009
Identity Unveiled: The Little Black Boy by William Blake
I have to admit, there are many different views and sides that can be concluded from this poem. This poem appears to be educational on behalf of the little boy. He seems to acknowledge his race as being black and that he was in fact different on the outside but not on the inside; "And I am black, but O! my soul is white"(line 2, 80). He seems to be longing to be accepted "and be like him and he will then love me."(81) Even though he had the attention of his mother, he wanted attention from others and just to fit in. Similar to how we young people are today. We can have everything thing at home that we may possibly need however, the acceptance by our peers is what seems to matter to us most.
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Tisha,
ReplyDeleteYour post provides some interesting views on Blake's poem. You do not really build an adequate framework of evidence or interpretation for those views to be persuasive, though. I imagine the deadline hindered you from pursuing your thoughts in adequate detail.
Tisha,
ReplyDeleteI did not take that view from this poem. I believe that the poem begans with a black mother talking about slavery to her son and explaining the differences of whites and blacks(line 1-4). She points out that we are all god's children no matter what's our color. So the boy sees a white boy and tells him about his conversation with his mother (line 22).He also tells him that they are cloud which belong to God and when he takes them home after death that their color will not matter and he will love them both the same (line 23-28).
Tisha, well said...I have the same views as you. Here is a little boy crying out his soul to God and who only wants to be treated the same as the other race. I think Blake goal in this poem was to breakdown racial barriers. I loved this poem!
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