William Blake in this poem Auguries of Innocence is trying to tell the reader that humans through their actions are destroying nature. By thinking that through their actions, they are either bettering the world or perfecting it for the next generation to come, which can be seen in our time with technological innovation. However, this is not the case. The action of humans are actually foreshadowing like the title says the ruin of innocence, the simple life, the nature in which we need if we would ultimately want to survive. Humans think they are high and mighty and invincible, we do not often take a step back and look at the damage that we are doing. We never take the time to really humble ourselves and think maybe what we are doing is actually hurting those around us. This is not just in a physical sense but also in a spiritual emotional sense. But one can also argue that, that is human nature to have such great value in self-interest. Also Blake points out that human life is full of paradox, and oppositions which at times don’t make much sense.
Blake knows all about human nature and that explains the reason why he is so full of frustration pain, anger and hopelessness for humanity. Sometimes its so obvious for ourselves to see what the other party is doing wrong that we question why the other party is so oblivious to it. I think that is what Blake is feelings. He says in his poem “A dog starv’d at his master’s gate Predicts the ruin of the state.” And “AEach outcry of the hunted hare A fibre from the brain does tear.” Blake through these juxtapositions makes his point very clear.
Blake also had a very strong faith which he also adds to the poem. He tell the reader to not worry because judgments day will come and those who deserve it will get what is owe to them. In these lines that concept is illustrated “For the last judgment draweth nigh.” With humanity destroying nature and the world judgment day occurs to balance the destruction by fixing it. Then there is hope or possibility for balance and creation. Going back to the title it can be taken in two ways as we discussed in class. Innocence can be destroyed or be reborn. This gives thought to the idea of juxtaposition and paradox in a sense.
Lines 51 to 61 exemplifies those ideas of paradox that are part of human life. I agree with Blake I believe that in life there is joy and pain. One cannot exist without the other like day and night, and evil and good. I know it is corny but it is truth. I think things are the way they are because of balance like the ying and the yang. Blake writes “Man was made for joy and woe; And when this is rightly know, Thro’ the world we safely go.” I took these few lines that Blake wrote as if humans are aware of both sadness and happiness in life we would be better equipped with facing the world. If we live naively, we will more times than not get hurt. Also he says “Joy and woe are woven fine, A clothing for the soul divine.” Joe and woe are NEEDED for the soul, its good for the soul to have both. I think the fine line in which contrast exist makes humans tick and is what makes life exciting, like the principle of not knowing. If everyone could tell their future, what fun would that be? Happiness and pain would not exist.
In class we discussed the topic of love and how it is a great pain and a great joy, sometimes both at the same time and sometimes we feel one way instead of the other. My mom always said the reason a baby cries when he or she is born is because the baby knows from that moment on it has to live a life of suffering. What my mom said is the truth. As a person grows older and moves on in the systematic process of life, life becomes more burdensome, more stressful and more annoying quite frankly. However, it is the person’s duty to balance out these negatives so that life can be full of joy. Proven through studies humans tend to remember the negatives more often and stronger than they do the positive. It was as if we were already set up for failure. However the moment of happiness are there and we those we are the important things we should dwell on.
Blake at the end of poem puts it all in God’s hand and says “We are led to believe a lie When we see not thro’ the eye, Which was born in a night to perish in a night, When the soul slept in beams of light. God appears, and God is light, To those poor souls who dwell in night; But does a human form display To those who dwell in realms of day.” That by believing and God and living in light the answers will come. Now I believe in God and I agree with Blake that when you are in doubt put your faith in God and God will provide. However this is not true for everyone. Blake ends the poem by giving the reader hope, and it does not necessarily need to be in God it can be the reader her/himself.
Auguries of Innocence really touches base on a lot of different topics and portrays them very in a complex matter. There is a lot to be analyzed in the poem.
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