Comparing Themes in "The Little Vagabond," "A Little Girl Lost," and "A Little Boy Lost

The poems "The Little Vagabond," "A Little Girl Lost," and "A Little Boy Lost" by William Blake explore different themes. The Little Vagabond questions religious systems, A Little Girl Lost focuses on human passions and societal expectations, and A Little Boy Lost delves into children's inquiring spirits. Each poem presents a unique perspective on spiritual truths and societal norms through storytelling and vivid imagery.

• William Blake
• Themes
• Poetry
• Comparison
• Religious Critique

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1. COMPARISON The Little Vagabond A Little Girl Lost A Little Boy Lost (Not to be confused with THE Little Boy Lost)

2. POEM FOCI A Little Boy Lost Focuses on children as the inquiring human spirits, and presents an honest search for understanding. The Little Vagabond Questions a religious system that would denounce human reason as inadequate for apprehending spiritual truth. A Little Girl Lost Focuses on the tension human passions and societal expectations.

3. THE LITTLE VAGABOND Dear Mother, dear Mother, the Church is cold, But the Ale-house is healthy & pleasant & warm; Besides I can tell where I am use'd well, Such usage in heaven will never do well. But if at the Church they would give us some Ale. And a pleasant fire, our souls to regale; We'd sing and we'd pray, all the live-long day; Nor ever once wish from the Church to stray, Then the Parson might preach & drink & sing. And we'd be as happy as birds in the spring: And modest dame Lurch, who is always at Church, Would not have bandy children nor fasting nor birch. And God like a father rejoicing to see, His children as pleasant and happy as he: Would have no more quarrel with the Devil or the Barrel But kiss him & give him both drink and apparel.

4. A LITTLE BOY LOST Nought loves another as itself, Nor venerates another so, Nor is it possible to thought A greater than itself to know. 'And, father, how can I love you Or any of my brothers more? I love you like the little bird That picks up crumbs around the door.' The Priest sat by and heard the child; In trembling zeal he seized his hair, He led him by his little coat, And all admired the priestly care. And standing on the altar high, 'Lo, what a fiend is here! said he: 'One who sets reason up for judge Of our most holy mystery.' The weeping child could not be heard, The weeping parents wept in vain: They stripped him to his little shirt, And bound him in an iron chain, And burned him in a holy place Where many had been burned before; The weeping parents wept in vain. Are such thing done on Albion's shore?

5. A LITTLE GIRL LOST Children of the future age, Reading this indignant page, Know that in a former time Love, sweet love, was thought a crime. Tired with kisses sweet, They agree to meet When the silent sleep Waves o'er heaven's deep, And the weary tired wanderers weep. In the age of gold, Free from winter's cold, Youth and maiden bright, To the holy light, Naked in the sunny beams delight. To her father white Came the maiden bright; But his loving look, Like the holy book All her tender limbs with terror shook. Once a youthful pair, Filled with softest care, Met in garden bright Where the holy light Had just removed the curtains of the night. 'Ona, pale and weak, To thy father speak! Oh the trembling fear! Oh the dismal care That shakes the blossoms of my hoary hair!' Then, in rising day, On the grass they play; Parents were afar, Strangers came not near, And the maiden soon forgot her fear.

6. A Little Boy Lost Rhyme: ABCB 6 Stanzas Questions faith and how one can love God more than themselves. - Father trapped in archaic conservatism Punished by "Father" Ambiguous: father, priest or God. Ambiguity: Lost lost life v lost innocence Freedom Religiously Inquisitive "Blake exposes paternal tyranny masquerading as Christian love' Katelin E. Trowbridge Child protagonists transition from a state of innocence to a state of free experience Sexually Inquisitive No repercussions BUT Context: poem initially too subversive of authority --> omitted Childhood Loss of virginity 'tired of kisses' Questions why the church is 'cold' and why it cannot be more like the ale house Pursuit of the Degenerate: True freedom and happiness of child are found without constrictions of virtue. 7 Stanzas Rhyme: AABBB 4 & 7 imperfect AAAAA - 5 Rhyme: AABB First Stanza 4 Stanzas A Little Girl Lost The Little Vagabond