William Blake's “London” takes place in the city; there is a sense of criticism that the speaker advocates upon entering the city. The initial setting of the poem is: “Near where the chartered Thames flows” (line 2). The speaker gives readers a picture of confinement. He says the river, buildings and people are restricted and there is little freedom. The Charter is a document issued by the government that gives rights to people. The speaker depicts a sad society by telling readers that people have expressions of "marks of weakness" and "marks of misfortune" (line 4). Blake illustrates that the limitations of the people of London led them to be unhappy. Blake seeks to impress upon us this sense of restraint and confinement by stating that "In every voice: in every ban, / The mind-wrought manacles I hear", he believes the citizens of London are forced to a similar way. in handcuffs (line 8). The poem moves on to how children are affected by the restricted society. “How the chimney sweeps cry/All blackening Church is dismaying” (line 9) emphasizes that children are subject to a life of limitations from a very young age. This limitation in children leads to a more corrupt society. Children no longer play outside and are no longer in contact with nature. Instead, children are forced to work as chimney sweeps and lead lives that do not promote creativity. Chimney sweeping is considered a dangerous job due to soot and carcinogens. Children are forced into a darker life, in the sense of less innocence, and have little imagination to do what they want. Lack of freedom and confinement lead to corruption in the city. “But it is especially in the midnight streets that I hear/How the young prostitute curses herself” (Lines...... middle of paper......Foundation. Fondation Poésie, nd Web. May 20 2014. - Blake, William. "The Sick Rose". - Blake, William. May 20, 2014. - Wordsworth, William. Foundation, May 20, 2014. - Wordsworth, William. Academy of American Poets, nd Web, May 20, 2014. - Wordsworth, William.. 2014. .