The Chimney Sweeper – William Blake

 

The Chimney Sweeper – William Blake

 

"The Chimney Sweeper" is a poem by William Blake, published in his 1789 collection Songs of Innocence. The poem is told from the perspective of a young chimney sweeper.

 

The speaker in the poem is a young boy, probably not older than ten, who works as a chimney sweeper in the 18th-century London. He lost his mother while he was still an infant, and his father gave him away for money while the boy was still too young to pronounce his sibilants. He has become one of many poor orphans who must work for their upkeep.

He describes another such boy, fellow chimneysweeper Tom Dacre, crying because his hair was shaved. Hair from the head was removed off as the wool is shaven off from the lambs. The speaker comforts him by saying that now at least his hair will not be spoiled by soot.

That night, Tom has a dream in which he sees thousands of boys like him confined in coffins, but an angel unlocks the coffins and lets them out. The boys enjoy their freedom by running in a valley and laughing. After they wash in a river and dry in the sun, they rise on clouds and play in the wind. The angel tells Tom that, if he is a good boy, God will be his father and give him joy.

Tom awakes before dawn because he and the speaker must go to work. It is a cold morning, but Tom is warm and happy because of his dream. The last line of the poem spells out what appears to be its moral: Those who do their duty will be protected from harm

 

The Spectator Club – Sir Richard Steele

 

The Spectator Club – Sir Richard Steele

The Spectator Club, founded in 1711 by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele. The club's members, including notable writers, politicians, and thinkers, would gather to discuss and debate various topics, from literature and philosophy to politics and social issues. These discussions were later compiled and published in The Spectator, a daily newspaper that became a benchmark for literary and intellectual excellence. The club members are Sir Roger de Coverley,  the Templar, Sir Andrew Freeport, Captain Sentry, Willy Honeycomb, The Clergyman and  the Spectator.

Sir Roger de Coverley is portrayed as a kind-hearted, eccentric country gentleman, representing the values of rural England. His character embodies simplicity, kindness, and traditional values, contrasting with the more modern, urban attitudes of other club members. Sir Roger often provides humorous, unconventional insights, which endear him to readers and reveal the charm of rural wisdom.

Sir Andrew Freeport, the next member, is a merchant of great eminence. He is a hard-worker. He thinks that one can become rich by hard work. He says England can become richer by plain labour and honest methods.

The Templar, another club member, represents the legal profession and the intellectual pursuits of the time. His character adds depth to the club, offering insights into the educated and professional classes. Through the Templar, Addison and Steele highlight the importance of intellectual growth and the role of law in society.

Captain Sentry is a sensible and disciplined character, embodying the values of duty and respectability. His character represents the military’s honorable qualities, providing a steady presence within the club. Captain Sentry’s outlook reflects the importance of self-discipline and responsibility, highlighting the value of integrity in society.

Will Honeycomb, a fashionable and charming bachelor, represents the lively, sophisticated side of city life. Known for his social skills and knowledge of trends, Will adds humor and style to the club.

The Clergyman represents the moral and spiritual side of society, embodying values of piety and ethics. His presence in the club brings a perspective of faith and moral guidance, emphasizing the role of religion in everyday life.

There is another character of the club, who speaks about others but seldom speaks about himself. He is the spectator

 The Spectator Club was a groundbreaking institution that left an indelible mark on English literature and culture. Its legacy continues to inspire writers, thinkers, and intellectuals to this day, reminding us of the power of intellectual curiosity, witty conversation, and literary excellence.

The Ant and the Grasshopper - Somerset Maugham

 

The Ant and the Grasshopper -  Somerset Maugham 

Somerset Maugham’s ‘The Ant and the Grasshopper is a story about two brothers. They are the representation of ant and the grasshopper of Aesop’s Fable. In this story, the writer reversed the moral of the traditional fable. In the fable, the ant gathered food during the summer, whereas the grasshopper wasted time. When the rainy season came, the grasshopper begged the ant for food. But the writer was very skeptical about the moral of this fable and presented a different situation in his story.  

The story was narrated by an unnamed narrator. George Ramsey was a hardworking person. He saved money for his peaceful retired life. However, his brother Tom was a different personality. He did not go to work and preferred to enjoy life. He abandoned his wife and children. He borrowed money from many people, and Ramsey settled some of the debts in order to save the family's reputation. He expected his brother Tom to have an unpredictable future since he had no savings. 

However, Tom was engaged to an old woman who was old enough to be his mother. The lady died suddenly, from whom he inherited half a million pounds. Referring to this incident, Ramsey felt as though there had been an injustice done. It was very much like the ant (George) versus the grasshopper (Tom). As the grasshopper made no provisions for the winter, Tom too made no provisions for his future. But in real life, Tom enjoyed life better than his brother and was well-settled. 

When George was sharing about the new fortune of his brother, the narrator laughed heartily. His reaction to Tom’s success in life mirrored the attitude of society as well. The main idea of the story is to show that the way a person lives his life is only his decision. One should not interfere in others lives otherwise their life will become miserable. Be happy with what you have.