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The Lamb
“The Lamb” a Poetry Essay

Mary Dixon
Liberty University
English 102 Composition and Literature B13
February 20, 2012

I. In Blake’s poem “The Lamb” it has two main themes childhood and spiritual development A. The poem starts with a simple question “Little lamb who made thee?” B. The poem has a childlike innocence II. Did Blake intentionally write this poem to have a spiritual effect? A. The entire poem focuses on the lamb and innocence B. The child is seeking knowledge about the lamb C. The child ends up answering his own questions III. The poem has a personal tone and sound effects A. The child is the main speaker B. There is a rhyme scheme of a song like quality C. Alliteration is used in the poem IV. “The Lamb” is full of symbolism A. The Lamb symbolizes Jesus the Lamb of God B. Jesus as a lamb reinforces the Christian ideals of tenderness, humbleness, and peace. V. Conclusion

In Blake’s poem “The Lamb” it has two main themes childhood and spiritual development. Throughout the poem Blake writes about a creator and innocence. The poem begins with a child asking a simple question of “Little Lamb who made thee”? (pg.134) As children we have all asked this question wanting to know where did we come from or how did we get here? Even after many years scientist and bible scholars still argue over this issue. The child in the poem wonders how the lamb got its wool coat and how it survives outdoors in the elements. He knows it is not by chance or luck. The child thinks that it must be someone greater who created him and the lamb. Did Blake intentionally write this poem to have a spiritual effect? I personally feel he did Blake’s religious views were expressed in many of his works. For Blake Jesus symbolizes the essential bond and unity between spirituality and humanity. The entire poem focuses on the lamb and innocence. The Lamb is mentioned throughout the entire bible mostly acknowledged in


Cited: Blake, W. Songs of Innocence and Experience: Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul, 1789-1794 Plate 8 Page 134 Kennedy, X. J. and Dana Gioia. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Compact Interactive Edition. 6th ed. New York, NY: Pearson, 2010. ISBN: 0558573002. Pages 413 and 430. Symons, A. The Symbolist Movement in Literature 1919 The New York Times Page 3 The Holy Bible: The King James Version page
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