Blake and The Lamb

William Blake’s poetry is unique because he incorporates illustrations to go along with the words that were etched into metal plates and printed onto the pages. This style of writing is reminiscent of children’s literature because children’s books often include pictures that relate to the words on the page. Blake used this style to recapture the innocence of childhood that was opposite of the style of writing that was being printed at the time. In “The Lamb,” Blake uses the lamb as a symbol of a child or God and it has many biblical connotations. By writing a simple poem, Blake is able to convey a profound message. Not only does he provide imagery of Jesus Christ as the lamb, but he also asks that the reader reflect on himself as a child of God and to fully be aware of the moral, the reader must discern between what is right and wrong. Overall, I think Blake’s style is refreshing considering the pieces of literature that were coming out at this time.