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In William Blake's poem “London,” one striking detail that underscores the social and political issues of the time is the portrayal of the “chartered” streets and “chartered” Thames. These words evoke a sense of confinement, control, and restriction imposed upon the city and its inhabitants. The term “chartered” implies that the streets and the river are no longer free and open but subjected to regulations and limitations set by those in power. By describing the streets as “chartered,” Blake suggests that the city has become a space where individual liberties are curtailed, and the natural flow of life is constrained. This portrayal aligns with the broader themes of oppression and societal control prevalent in Blake’s work. The use of the term “chartered” for the Thames, a historically significant river symbolizing freedom and connectivity, further emphasizes the loss of natural liberty and the pervasive influence of authority in London. Blake’s choice of words reflects the poet’s critique of the political and social landscape of his time. The mention of “chartered” streets and Thames serves as a perverted indictment of the government’s actions and policies that suppress the individual and restrict personal freedoms. Through this detail, Blake invites the reader to contemplate the pervasive nature of authority, the striking atmosphere of constraint, and the impact of oppressive systems on the lives of ordinary people.
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