Interpetation Of Blakes Poems

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The Human Abstract

Blake’s poem, The human abstract, is a touching poem which attributes selfishness, cruelty, and other flaws on human nature. Blake goes on show how change can come about through finding of god. Once god is found, and holy fear sets in, the actions of deceit change and humility takes root.

The poem starts with a series of short lessons. “Pity would be no more, if we did not make somebody poor; he continues “And mercy no more could be, if all were as happy as we.” Blake’s poem suggests human nature is responsible. By stealing, we are responsible for making people poor and by deceit we cheat people out of happiness. Blake’s poem follows up with more human flaws, “Then cruelty knits a snare, and spreads his baits with care.” This means to say if one holds a grudge, the negative feeling will eventually lead to expression through action. This yet again demonstrates the human nature. Blake, after exposing human sinful nature now comes to shows us the path of change through the fear of god.

Blake now illustrates a person hitting bottom and discovers holy fears. “He sits down with holy fears, and waters the ground with tears; then humility takes its root underneath his foot.” Once he discover god he repents and humility takes root. This is to say one realizes his behavior and changes is unholy actions. He then goes on to say how one is mystified by God. “Soon spreads the dismal shade of mystery over his head; and the caterpillar and fly feed on the mystery.” This passage illustrates clearly the mystery of god by how a caterpillar transforms to a butterfly.

There’s a simple lesson Blake is trying to teach us through this his poem. That is that people are really good. It’s just Human nature that sometimes leads us astray to fulfill our own selfish needs. Once we realize there’s a god and that he watches our every action, only then will the holy fear set in and bring about a...