The Chimney Sweeper

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• Voortgezet speciaal onderwijs
• havo, vwo
• Leerroute H
• Leerroute V
• Leerjaar 4

The Chimney Sweeper

by William Blake 

Any idea what a chimney sweeper is?
Answer in English

First listen and read along

First listen and read along to The Chimney Sweeper 

from 'The Songs of Innocence' by William Blake.  

The Chimney Sweeper (1794)

from 'The Songs of Innocence

When my mother died I was very young,

 And my father sold me while yet my tongue,

 Could scarcely cry weep weep weep weep,

 So your chimneys I sweep & in soot I sleep

Which of the following best describes the speaker's emotional state in the first four lines of "The Chimney Sweeper" by William Blake?

1. Joyful and carefree
2. Resigned and helpless
3. Angry and rebellious
4. Hopeful and optimistic

There's little Tom Dacre. who cried when his head

 That curl'd like a lambs back, was shav'd, so I said.

 Hush Tom never mind it, for when your head's bare,

 You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair

Which of the following emotions does the speaker try to convey to Tom Dacre

1. fear
2. anger
3. comfort
4. resignation

And so he was quiet. & that very night.

 As Tom was a sleeping he had such a sight,

 That thousands of sweepers Dick, Joe, Ned & Jack

 Were all of them lock'd up in coffins of black,

What did Tom see in his dream?

1. Thousands of sweepers being punished for their misdeeds
2. Thousands of sweepers locked up in black coffins
3. Thousands of sweepers escaping from their master
4. Thousands of sweepers rejoicing in their freedom

And by came an Angel who had a bright key

 And he open'd the coffins & set them all free.

 Then down a green plain leaping laughing they run

 And wash in a river and shine in the Sun.

What do the sweepers do after being freed by the Angel?

1. They continue working as chimney sweepers
2. They rise upon clouds and play in the wind
3. They return to their homes
4. They seek revenge on their oppressors

Then naked & white, all their bags left behind.

 They rise upon clouds, and sport in the wind.

 And the Angel told Tom, if he'd be a good boy,

 He'd have God for his father & never want joy

What promise does the Angel make to Tom?

1. He promises to be Tom's father and provide eternal joy
2. He promises to grant Tom any wish he desires
3. He promises to make Tom famous
4. He promises to make Tom wealthy

And so Tom awoke and we rose in the dark

 And got with our bags & our brushes to work.

 Tho' the morning was cold, Tom was happy & warm

 So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.

What do the last four lines from "The Chimney Sweeper" suggest about Tom's attitude towards his work?

1. He is scared and fearful of the harm that may come from his duty.
2. He is indifferent and apathetic towards his responsibilities as a chimney sweeper.
3. He feels miserable and unhappy about his job.
4. He is content and satisfied with his work despite the cold morning.

First listen and read along

Now you're going to listen and read The Chimney Sweeper 

from 'The Songs of Experience' by William Blake.  

Look it up in Classroom

The Chimney Sweeper (1794)

from 'The Songs of Experience

A little black thing among the snow:

 Crying weep, weep, in notes of woe!

 Where are thy father & mother? say?

 They are both gone up to the church to pray.

What is the primary emotion conveyed by the "little black thing"

1. Happiness
2. Excitement
3. Sorrow
4. Anger

Because I was happy upon the heath,

 And smil’d among the winters snow:

 

The speaker in the first two lines expresses happiness while on the heath.

1. True
2. False

 They clothed me in the clothes of death,

 And taught me to sing the notes of woe.

The speaker describes being dressed in clothing that represents death.

1. True
2. False

 And because I am happy, & dance & sing,

 They think they have done me no injury:

And are gone to praise God & his Priest & King

 Who make up a heaven of our misery.

What is the speaker's attitude towards their situation?

1. The speaker feels indifferent and unaffected.
2. The speaker feels grateful and content despite their circumstances.
3. The speaker feels angry and resentful towards their oppressors.
4. The speaker feels fearful and hopeless about their future.

What do the children believe their parents are doing when they ask about their whereabouts?

1. They believe their parents are sleeping.
2. They believe their parents are attending a festival.
3. They believe their parents are working.
4. They believe their parents are praying.

What is a common theme shared between both versions of "The Chimney Sweeper"?

1. Economic exploitation
2. Childhood innocence
3. Religious hypocrisy
4. Environmental degradation