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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
Comment 9 of 12, added on May 31st, 2006 at 9:22 AM.
I don't think that the last stanza is sinister in nature. At the start of the poem we are introduced to the beginning of the day, "The sun does arise." This then develops into the natural cycle of morning to night, at the end, "On the darkening green." Within the poem there is also another natural cycle - age, childhood to adulthood. Blake could be illustrating nature in terms of these natural cycles and with this, suggesting that we should all stay in one place (therefore arguing against the industrial revolution). Morning to night, childhood to adulthood in the same place.
Kayla Jay from United Kingdom
Comment 8 of 12, added on November 10th, 2005 at 4:42 AM.
this poem is a metaphorical representation of blakes inner most desire to remain in the world of innocence for a prolonged period of time. there is the religious conotations and layers of historical background to the poem, which highlight blakes thoughts and emotions to his childhood memories. its amazing init bo!!!!!
tash and g unit from Azerbaijan
Comment 7 of 12, added on October 12th, 2005 at 8:11 PM.
This poem coinsides with The Garden of Love. I am taking a romantic Poetry Course and this poem does indeed mean death is ahead. Blake explains how they sit with Jon with under the oak and it's from his point of view as a child however if you read The Garden of Love you will soon see it is his point of view when he is old and he is at the green land that has now become a graveyard of dead friends. any questions feel free to e-mail me.
Allie from United States
Comment 6 of 12, added on October 10th, 2005 at 4:05 PM.
I think the poem is trying to reach out to people. During Blake's years living conditions were really hard, with a lot of poverty. I think in this poem, Blake suggests the ideal life that could be lived with the right opportunities. It has a very light and care-free mood until the last stanza, which becomes slightly sinister perhaps suggesting that as the night comes and the Sun sets, so does corruption and maybe even a threat on his beautiful homeland.
Overall I enjoyed reading the imagery of nature and symbolism of innocence.
Vanja from United Kingdom
Comment 5 of 12, added on May 24th, 2005 at 8:44 PM.
This poem sounds nice, it's meant to. The closing scene of darkness is not death, but encroaching age. Blake creates a cyclical poem, but it's somewhat ironic because in the rest of his Songs of Innocence and Experience he explains how both the Puritanical and 'Enlightenment' mindsets obstruct peaceful liberty.
Shaky from Australia
Comment 4 of 12, added on April 10th, 2005 at 4:35 AM.
the poem shows the songs of innocence view..as seen fromm a childs perspective..blake might be telling us that this is how we should be living our lives
karim watfa from Qatar
Comment 3 of 12, added on April 7th, 2005 at 8:50 AM.
I think this a lovely poem about life. It expresses that not only the young can enjoy playing in the sun but the older generation can too, whilst reminising about their child hood. xxxx
Hannah from United Kingdom
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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