"The Chimney Sweeper"

1. Yes, I do agree that Blake’s poetry had the power to enact social change by appealing to the imagination of the reader. Imagination can draw quicker conclusions by demonstrating to the public positivity and negativity from similar situations. In Blake’s first poem he represents optimism towards child labor law, which may enforce children to work harder. In Blake’s second poem he represents hopelessness towards child labor laws, which may cause people’s sympathy to emphasize change on the laws. Either way, imagination is encouraging the public for social change.

2. The editors might have included the Parliament transcript as a primary source document in order for the reader to refer to the historical background of child labor laws. The document can show the audience the facts and the reality of how harsh the laws actually were. This can also give readers greater dramatic effects when reading the poem because then they can only imagine that person’s feelings in that moment. Blake’s work affected my reading emotionally because I pictured myself in that position and made me feel great sympathy for those children who had to live through this situation.