William Blake’s poem The School Boy captures the spirit of childhood and explores the contrast between the freedom of nature and the restrictive nature of formal education. Written in the 18th century, Blake’s work is a part of his collection Songs of Innocence and Experience, which presents a stark comparison between the pure, untainted world of youth and the harsh realities of life that come with experience. The School Boy expresses Blake’s view on the negative effects of schooling on a child’s natural creativity, enthusiasm, and joy.
This article will break down 15 figures of speech found in The School Boy, analyze the mood, tone, and language of the poem, and explore how these elements contribute to its deeper meaning. Additionally, we’ll discuss class activities and assignments that could help students understand and engage with the poem more deeply.
Poem: The School Boy by William Blake
I love to rise in a summer morn,
When the birds sing on every tree,
The distant huntsman winds his horn,
And the skylark sings with me.
Oh! what a sweet company!
But to go to school in a summer morn,
Oh! it drives all joy away;
Under a cruel eye outworn,
The little ones spend the day,
In sorrow, and dismay.
Ah! then at times I droop my head,
I wish that I were a bird,
Or that I had the summers’ bread,
As I feel it, in my own breast.
Figures of Speech in The School Boy
- Metaphor
- Example: “I wish that I were a bird”
The child metaphorically wishes to be a bird, symbolizing the desire for freedom, mobility, and escape from the rigid structure of school.
- Example: “I wish that I were a bird”
- Personification
- Example: “The distant huntsman winds his horn”
The huntsman is personified here, as if he is able to “wind” his horn. This personification gives life to the huntsman’s actions, bringing the natural world into focus and contrasting it with the confinements of school.
- Example: “The distant huntsman winds his horn”
- Alliteration
- Example: “When the birds sing on every tree”
The repetition of the “s” sound in “sing” and “every” creates a musical rhythm, mirroring the joyful and natural setting described in the poem.
- Example: “When the birds sing on every tree”
- Imagery
- Example: “The distant huntsman winds his horn”
This line evokes a vivid image of a hunter in the distance, creating a sense of freedom and adventure that is contrasted with the confinement of the school.
- Example: “The distant huntsman winds his horn”
- Juxtaposition
- Example: “But to go to school in a summer morn”
Blake juxtaposes the joy of a summer morning with the burden of going to school, highlighting the tension between nature’s beauty and the restrictions of education.
- Example: “But to go to school in a summer morn”
- Oxymoron
- Example: “Under a cruel eye outworn”
The phrase “cruel eye” juxtaposes the harshness of the gaze of authority with the tenderness one would expect from someone caring for children. It suggests the oppression the child feels under the watchful eyes of teachers or authority figures.
- Example: “Under a cruel eye outworn”
- Allusion
- Example: “The little ones spend the day / In sorrow, and dismay.”
This line can be seen as an allusion to the biblical idea of “the meek shall inherit the earth,” where the suffering of the “little ones” is a form of chastisement or trial that reflects their innocence and societal helplessness.
- Example: “The little ones spend the day / In sorrow, and dismay.”
- Repetition
- Example: “Oh! what a sweet company!”
The repetition of “Oh!” here amplifies the speaker’s joy in nature and the sense of freedom he feels when not confined by the rules of schooling.
- Example: “Oh! what a sweet company!”
- Hyperbole
- Example: “It drives all joy away”
The exaggeration here implies that the child’s experience in school is not just unpleasant but wholly destructive to the joy and freedom found in nature.
- Example: “It drives all joy away”
- Symbolism
- Example: “The birds sing on every tree”
The birds here symbolize freedom, joy, and the carefree nature of childhood, contrasting with the control and sorrow associated with school.
- Example: “The birds sing on every tree”
- Personification
- Example: “The skylark sings with me”
The skylark is personified here as if it shares the speaker’s emotions. This symbolizes a harmonious connection between the child and nature, which is disrupted when they go to school.
- Example: “The skylark sings with me”
- Metaphor
- Example: “Under a cruel eye outworn”
The “eye” metaphorically represents authority, suggesting that the child’s view of the world is limited and controlled by the watchful eye of authority figures.
- Example: “Under a cruel eye outworn”
- Irony
- Example: “I love to rise in a summer morn”
The irony in this statement is subtle. It’s not that the speaker dislikes the morning, but that the joy of the morning is quickly overshadowed by the thought of school, which is ironically unpleasant for a child.
- Example: “I love to rise in a summer morn”
- Antithesis
- Example: “I droop my head” vs. “I love to rise”
The contrast between these two actions highlights the internal conflict of the speaker: the initial excitement of the day gives way to the sorrow of facing school.
- Example: “I droop my head” vs. “I love to rise”
- Euphemism
- Example: “Sorrow, and dismay”
The child uses these euphemisms to soften the intense feeling of being oppressed by school, though it implies a deeper sense of distress and hardship.
- Example: “Sorrow, and dismay”
Mood, Tone, and Language in The School Boy
- Mood: The mood of The School Boy is nostalgic, melancholic, and wistful. The speaker reflects on the freedom of childhood, contrasting it with the sorrowful experience of school, which stifles the joy of a summer morning.
- Tone: The tone of the poem is somewhat critical and discontented. Through the use of words like “cruel” and “sorrow,” the speaker’s tone expresses dissatisfaction with the formal education system and its limitations on a child’s spirit.
- Language: The language in The School Boy is simple, direct, and accessible, making it easy for readers to understand the deep frustration felt by the speaker. Blake’s use of vivid, nature-filled imagery evokes a sense of longing for freedom and the innocence of childhood.
Class Activities for The School Boy
- Poetry Reading and Expression
- Have students read the poem aloud, paying close attention to the tone and mood. Encourage them to express the emotions in their voice as they recite the lines, reflecting the contrast between nature and school.
- Figure of Speech Identification
- Assign students to identify and explain the various figures of speech used in the poem. They should analyze how these figures of speech contribute to the overall theme and meaning of the poem.
- Create a Nature vs. School Visual
- Have students create a visual representation of the poem, illustrating the contrast between the natural world (birds, summer mornings) and the confinement of school (classrooms, authority).
- Debate: Freedom vs. Structure
- Organize a class debate on the pros and cons of freedom versus structure in education. Students can argue whether education should be more relaxed or more structured, reflecting the themes of the poem.
- Writing Exercise: The Childhood of Freedom
- Ask students to write their own poem or short essay about a childhood experience where they felt free and unburdened by the rules of society, just as Blake’s speaker experiences joy in nature.
Class Assignments for The School Boy
- Poem Analysis Paper
- Write a paper analyzing the use of figures of speech in The School Boy and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
- Personal Reflection Essay
- Reflect on your own experience with school. Do you agree with Blake’s portrayal of childhood as a time of joy stifled by education? How can education be reformed to preserve the spirit of freedom?
- Comparative Poem Analysis
- Compare The School Boy with another poem by William Blake or a different poet that explores childhood. Discuss how both poems address the theme of education and freedom.
- Create a Poem About Your Own School Experience
- Write a poem reflecting your own thoughts on the schooling system. Does it reflect Blake’s criticisms or do you have a different perspective on education?
- Research Essay on Blake’s View of Education
- Write a research paper exploring William Blake’s views on education and childhood as reflected in his works. Include references to other poems or writings by Blake that discuss these themes.