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Poet: William Blake
Poem: The Echoing Green
Volume: Songs of Innocence
Year: Published/Written in 1789
Comment 12 of 12, added on July 30th, 2006 at 9:21 PM.
I would have to agree that this poem does have a certain forboding nature to it. During his time, there were many problems with the government and belief that the Church of England was corrupt. This gives the sense of nostalgia for a past of 'good,' or if anything, what could have been an ideal past, if not for the corruption of higher powers on the people. With the setting of the sun, it can be seen a tyranny falling down upon this innocent land, thus darkening it. I would see this poem, although indirect, as connected in terms of these ideas to Wordsworth's -London, 1802- and and Shelly's - Sonnet: England in 1819-.
Katherine from United States
Comment 11 of 12, added on July 19th, 2006 at 5:27 PM.
I have enjoyed reading all of the comments posted! Blake's poetry has so many layers, that the fun is in pulling out the meanings. To begin, just the title, "The Ecchoing Green" gives a sense of repetition, of something that is faintly heard or seen as time/space expands. The usage of the old folks as images and recollections, as in stanza 2, gives further credence of a past (or a flashback) feeling.
Sounds come for the voices of nature, the children and adults, and the bells. There is a strong bond between the family members (lines25-26). Note there is no sound of machines; no intrusion from clergy; no postings around. Everyone just enjoys themselves with harmless fun and remembrances of how things were. The older ones really enjoy watching the children playing. When it is time to go, everyone leaves together. There is no indication of crime or danger. The only thing left is the darkening Green.
If Blake means for this to be a flip side of "The Garden of Love", then he has done a great job! The stage has been set--and this poem could serve as a type of prologue (to borrow Shakespeare's technique a moment). The stage has been set for the image of innocence--a world, a small community, where all ages are present.The church still has a cheerful ring to those at the Green, and there is space for people to relax, to unite, and to enjoy a life without imposed rules. There is no clear narrator, since there are subtle shifts. Line 15 states "they laugh at our play", which refers to the old folks. Line 24 indicated that when the little ones weary, then the sports and being at the Green ends. No clear voice or narrator calls attention to this fact.
One last thing to point out. On the Ecchoing Green is repeated three times, as a title, line 10 and line 20. Blake then changes it to the darkening Green, line 30. Um. It is changing. Like an echo. Subtle change. Thus, sadness may be shifting the once idyllic lifestyle.
dallas from United States
Comment 10 of 12, added on July 2nd, 2006 at 12:22 AM.
Poems are my least favourite forms of self expressions and 'the echoing green' has only consolidated this felling.
Jack from Australia
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I would have to agree that this poem does have a certain forboding nature to it. During his time, there were many problems with the government and belief that the Church of England was corrupt. This gives the sense of nostalgia for a past of 'good,' or if anything, what could have been an ideal past, if not for the corruption of higher powers on the people. With the setting of the sun, it can be seen a tyranny falling down upon this innocent land, thus darkening it. I would see this poem, although indirect, as connected in terms of these ideas to Wordsworth's -London, 1802- and and Shelly's - Sonnet: England in 1819-.
Katherine from United States