Throughout history how human beings treat others has been a difficult problem. I have always been taught to treat others how I would like others to treat me and that all human beings are equal. Realities on earth including slavery, war and chimney sweeping are all human conditions that are not treating others with kindness, respect and equality. Chimney Sweepers are individuals who clean chimneys for a living. The conditions are horrific and workers are exposed to dangerous working conditions and diseases. This is not a problem that is as well known as war and slavery but needs to be stopped. To what extent do certain individuals need to be placed in unsafe working conditions and treated horribly before the world puts inequality to an end? Chimney sweeping needs to be put to an end and all human beings need to be treated equally.
The realities and reactions of child chimney sweeping are strongly expressed in the poems “ The Chimney Sweeper” by William Blake. William Blake wrote two poems titled “The Chimney Sweeper”, one published as songs of innocence and the other as songs of experience. The first poem classified in songs of innocence would be strongly supported by a romanticist. A romanticist values feelings, intuition, and individualism. Personally I agree that feelings, and intuition are more important then reason and logic. I try and make my choices based on how I feel on the inside over the logic of others. Honestly, I understand my perspective on life and ideas will change over time and maturity but currently my perspective is feelings, intuition and individualism are more important then reason and logic. In this first version of “The Chimney Sweeper”, a child chimney sweeper dreams that an angel releases all the chimney sweepers. The angel tells Tom that if Tom listens to demands asked of him on earth, afterlife will be wonderful. The boy chooses to be happy with his horrific reality as a chimney sweeper because of the realization of a happiness beyond his human form. Tom has decided to be happy and obey orders for the chance of happiness and love from God, his father, in his afterlife. I read this poem numerous times before I began to understand the meaning of the poem, and I reacted strongly to the message. A romanticist would support the ideas behind this version of the “ The Chimney Sweeper”. Tom did not choose happiness, obedience and love for God because of the way he was treated as a chimney sweeper. Tom is looking past the reality and facts and looking into his beliefs, intuitions, and feelings. Tom feels that his current life is not the end and after death freedom and happiness take precedence. Tom is living a horrible life with no parents, horrific living and work conditions but has chosen to be happy proving his romanticist way of thoughts. Honestly to others this does not make sense but to a romanticist Tom’s choices are admirable. Others are treating Tom and the other chimney sweepers unequally and logically happiness is difficult in this situation. Looking at feelings and intuition can lead to happiness when logic and facts may not.
Though the titles and author of the poems “The Chimney Sweeper” are the same the message and interpretations of each poem are completely different. A romanticist would agree strongly with the songs of innocence chimney sweeper but not with the songs a experience. The songs of experience poem would be supported by a neoclassical. A neoclassical beliefs are opposite of a romanticist. While a romanticist values feelings a neoclassical values logic, reason and facts. In the second poem a child was living a happy childhood with his parents until one day his parents sold him to be a chimney sweeper. The child felt as though he was being punished for his happiness. The child’s parents after having sold the child were at church praying. The child was angry with God for sitting back watching all these children go through misery and pain as chimney sweepers. This child is not looking into his feelings and intuition but only at facts and reason. This child is looking at the fact that he is going through this misery and is angry at life and God. A neoclassical would support this poem because the boy is not looking deeper into his heart and feelings but only at his physical reality and the reason behind that reality. I agree that if I was personally in this situation my first reaction would be that I was being punished for my happiness and that God is sitting back watching my misery. There is more to life then facts and times occur that facts overrule feelings but overall only looking at facts will lead to unhappiness. This child chimney sweeper is right in the fact that his working conditions are unfair and need to be stopped but this reality does not make God evil.
If I am completely honest, I can say that I did not know nor look into the working conditions and realities of chimney sweeping. Both poems emphasize on the realities of child chimney sweeping. The reactions and how each child deals with reality differentiate but both poems show that these children are being treated unfairly. William Blake wrote his poems based on different perspectives of thinking involving the same situation. A romanticist views life not on the reason but of the beauty in life. Every aspect of life is not logically explained but beauty and feelings are involved. A neoclassical views life like a mathematician. Every aspect of life is based on logic and rules. A situation occurs because pieces match together like a math problem. Reason is behind each aspect of life. If I was to view life like a neoclassical I would never enjoy life to life’s fullest potential. Judging experiences based on rules and reason causes a distraction from natural beauty. The views of a romanticist and a neoclassical are completely opposite but neither is correct. The main message of each poem is to portray the fact that child chimney sweeping is a horrific reality needing to be stopped. Views differ depending on philosophical beliefs in each poem but in neither poem is chimney sweeping portrayed as positive.
All human beings are considered equal and the reality of chimney sweeping should be banned and put to an end. I cannot express fully how appalling the reality and lifestyles are for chimney sweepers. Not one individual can learn about the lifestyle of chimney sweeping and argue the positive affects of the job. Views and reactions will differentiate but the fact that these workers are being treated unfairly is clear. The poems ” The Chimney Sweeper” by William Blake shows that reactions change depending on the workers view of life. In the songs of innocence the child had a romanticist view of life whereas in the songs of experience the views were classical. Decisions based on pure reason or based on inner feeling will change how I will react to a situation but the poems by William Blake are showing the appalling lifestyles of the child chimney sweepers. All individuals need to be treated with respect, love and equality therefore chimney sweeping should no longer exist.
I personally have grown up with an extremely open family in which I have been exposed to situations and ideas that others my age have not. My parents have challenged my beliefs, and I can honestly say I am growing up open-minded and ready for all what life brings my way. I remember just the other day a friend and I were talking about some of our beliefs on life and afterlife. I understand that my beliefs are not that of a traditional Catholic and it can be hard to open up to my ideas. I could tell he was struggling with my beliefs though he said he believed me. I do not wish to change the beliefs and thoughts of my friends but only to open minds to new possibilities. I honestly do consider myself as an open minded individual but what surprised me was my initial reaction to my friends’ beliefs. When he would state ideas in which I do not agree with, my first thought was to tell him he was wrong. As I listened I realized it was not my place to tell him what to believe in and instead of arguing I just listened trying to maintain that open mind. Discussing life with other individuals helps youth develop into more of a unique individual and creates maturity. I have learned that asking questions is not a weakness but strength.