William Blake/The Chimney Sweeper

William Blake was from a different breed from the start. In part of his autobiography it was told that he received "thrashings" (74) for seeing visions of God. His imagination was vividly apparent at such a young age. It is also fascinating that he did not receive any formal education yet his work is well noted by scholars all around the world. The majority of his work was dark and gloomy. One notable piece is The Chimney Sweeper. Right from the start he gives descriptive words and you can actually visualize the child being covered in black "soot." In the poem just when you begin to think it will not turn out so grim he adds: "And by came an Angel who had a bright key, And he open'd the coffins and set them all free.(38)....you would think that the poem would turn out to be a happy moment but it does not. Instead he puts Tom back to work early in the morining, with no hesistation knowing well that he too, will soon be dead from the type of work that he does. During his lifetime Blake had many visions of the supernatural. This poem fits into the realm of what he was always claiming he saw. The little boy Tom had a dream but in the dream an angel came and she let the little children out of their coffins.