“Acceptance to the Cruel Reality A Marxist Reading on...

Marxist views can be frequently spotted within William Blake’s works. The argument that â€Å"human interactions are economically driven and are based on a struggle for power between different social classes† is deeply rooted within the lines of Blake’s work. (Gardner, Pg. 146). In fact, â€Å"The Chimney Sweeper,† which was first published in 1789, a full half a century before Karl Marx first publicized his Marxist theory in 1848, has several instances of Marxist tones. Critic, Janet E. Gardner, argues that the theological similarities between the views expressed in the poem â€Å"Chimney Sweeper† and Karl Marx’s beliefs are easily found. For example, Karl believed that literary characters could be â€Å"divided into powerful oppressors and their powerless†¦show more content†¦In that, the work lends itself to a Marxist reading through the child-like form, but also through the sarcastic attack on the hierarchal system within the so ciety. To continue, Blake displays how the church or religion gives people a false hope, and perhaps even unfairly convinces them that they should be content with their lives and continue to work. The idea of blind faith and to obey without seeing the reality is what Blake’s government is advocating to Tom, and perhaps even convinces Tom to not question his faith. After the Angel speaks to Tom, the reader is presented with Tom and the two paths he can take. The â€Å"if† in the Angel’s response indicates that if Tom works hard without complaint will he end up in heaven. Further, the children respond by returning to work until â€Å"all do their duty, they need not fear harm.† The final line again presents a Marxist reading; moreover, it presents an almost cynical response to a religious ideology that some how justifies for the children’s suffering. Moreover, the idea that