William blake the chimney sweepers

How does stanza 5 illustrate the innocence of the children ,take into account the use of literary devics

1 answer

In stanza 5 of "The Chimney Sweeper" by William Blake, the innocence of the children is illustrated through the use of literary devices such as imagery and symbolism. In this stanza, the speaker describes how the children's "coffins" are "white as snow" and their "lodging" is in the "churchyard." This imagery evokes a sense of purity and innocence, as the color white is often associated with innocence and purity, while the churchyard symbolizes a place of sacredness and peace.

The use of the word "coffins" in this stanza also serves as a powerful symbol of the harsh reality of the children's lives as chimney sweepers, highlighting their vulnerability and the tragic circumstances they face. Despite the bleakness of their situation, the children themselves remain innocent and pure, as reflected in the striking contrast between the darkness of their occupation and the purity of their imagery.

Overall, stanza 5 of "The Chimney Sweeper" effectively illustrates the innocence of the children through the use of vivid imagery and symbolic language, emphasizing the contrast between the purity of the children themselves and the bleakness of their circumstances.