A Little Boy Lost

By William Blake

William Blake (1757-1827) was an English poet, painter, and visionary, whose work combines profound spiritual themes with intense, often mystical imagery. Blake’s unique style blends poetry and visual art, making him a pioneer figure in Romantic literature and art. His work, though underappreciated in his lifetime, is now celebrated for its originality and depth. The poem is a part of William Blake’s collection of poems “Songs of Experience” first published in 1794. The poem critiques oppressive religious institutions, portraying a priest’s zealous reaction to curiosity. A child’s innocent questions challenge the authority of the religion which leads to brutal consequences. The tragic fate of the child symbolizes the tragic clash between innocence and authoritative orthodoxy. Blake explores the darker and more cynical aspects of human life and society, critiquing institutionalized religion, social injustice, and the loss of innocence.

Text of the Poem.

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 things done on Albion’s shore?

First Stanza

In this stanza, a little boy voices a profound philosophical thought. He suggests that individuals are inherently self-centered, unable to love or revere others as much as themselves. This could be interpreted as a critique of human nature or societal conditioning that promotes selfishness. The boy’s assertion challenges the idea of selfishness and questions whether humans can truly recognize something greater than their own self-interest.

Second Stanza

The boy directs his question to a father figure, possibly representing God or an authority figure. He confesses that his love for his father and brothers is akin to the love a bird has for crumbs, suggesting it is based on basic needs and survival rather than deeper emotional bonds. This comparison highlights the boy’s struggle to reconcile his feelings with the expectations of love and duty imposed by society or religion.

Third Stanza

A priest overhears the boy’s questioning and reacts with “trembling zeal,” a mix of fervor and fear. The priest’s reaction to the boy’s innocent query is extreme-he physically grabs the boy and leads him away. This suggests that the priest views the boy’s thoughts as heretical or dangerous. The admiration of the onlookers for the priest’s “care” underscores the societal approval of suppressing dissenting voices, particularly those that challenge religious or moral dogma.

Fourth Stanza

The priest, from a position of authority on the altar, denounces the boy as a “fiend,” or devil. He accuses the boy of using reason to judge religious mysteries, which the priest and, by extension, the religious institution, consider sacred and beyond question. This highlights the tension between rational thought and blind faith, and the dangers of questioning established beliefs in a society that values conformity over critical thinking.

Fifth Stanza

The boy’s cries and those of his parents go unheard, suggesting a lack of empathy and the overpowering force of institutional authority. The imagery of stripping the child and binding him in iron chains evokes a sense of brutal punishment and dehumanization. It reflects the harsh consequences faced by those who dare to question or deviate from the accepted norms and beliefs.

Sixth Stanza

In the final stanza, the boy is burned at the stake in a “holy place,” indicating that such acts of violence and punishment are sanctioned by religious authority. The repetition of “weeping parents wept in vain” reinforces the futility of their sorrow against the relentless machinery of institutional power. The rhetorical question, “Are such things done on Albion’s shore?” serves as a powerful critique, suggesting that such injustices occur even in a supposedly civilized and enlightened society (Albion being a poetic name for Britain).

Conclusion

Blake uses this poem to convey his disapproval of the way society, particularly religious institutions, supress individuality and critical thinking. Blake criticizes the oppressive nature of organized religion, which punishes questioning and dissent. He shows how innocence and curiosity are stifled by societal and religious norms. The reaction of the priest and the community’s acceptance of his actions highlights the power dynamics and the dangers of authoritarian control. The conflict between the boy’s rational inquiry and the priest’s demand for blind faith underscores the tension between reason and religious dogma.