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The poem depicts a joyful scene, in which a nurse (something like a modern-day nanny) watches the children in her care as they play outside. Through the nurse's gentleness and warmth, the poem depicts a world that cherishes and prioritizes the innocence, curiosity, and freedom of childhood. "Nurse's Song" is one of seven poem titles to appear ...
In the Innocence version of the poem, a nurse (something like a modern-day nanny) finds joy in watching the children in her care play in a field at the end of the day. In this "Nurse's Song," by contrast, the nurse takes no such pleasure in childhood innocence. Instead, she seems to resent the way the children remind her of her own youth and ...
- Stanza One
- Stanza Two
- Stanza Three
- Stanza Four
This first stanza wastes no time in bringing the focus directly to the children and their happiness by diving right into the sounds of their “voices”as they enjoy the day. The scene is officially set as taking place on a hill, which in itself could be conceived as another means of showing the heightened levels of joy the children experience. Rather...
The perspective of ‘Nurse’s Song remains on the nurse for this second stanza as he or she beckons for the children to “leave off play”for the sake of going home. Night has come, and as can be expected from a rational adult, the nurse knows the practical thing to do is to end the games the children had relished in during the daytime. The language wi...
The perspective in this stanza shifts to the children as they reply to the nurse with their arguments as to why their play should be allowed to continue. In contrast to the nurse’s earlier declaration that “The dews of night arise,”the children are arguing that night is still coming. This differentiation of argument could be a number of things. Per...
Once more, the nurse is the speaker, and he or she submits to the children’s whims to allow them to play longer. Within this stanza, we find evidence that the children were not, in fact, lying about it still being day because they’re now instructed to “play till the light fades away.”With that in mind, either the nurse has succumbed to their untrut...
- Female
- Poetry Analyst
Jul 31, 2024 · Innocence vs. Experience “Songs of Innocence”: Celebrates the simplicity and joy of childhood. The nurse’s gentle acquiescence to the children’s wishes symbolizes trust and freedom. “Songs of Experience”: Presents a stark contrast. The nurse’s feelings of envy and regret highlight the loss of innocence and the inevitable ...
The theme of the poem is the children’s innocent and simple joy. Their happiness persists unabashed and uninhibited, and without shame the children plead for permission to continue in it. The sounds and games of the children harmonize with a busy world of sheep and birds. They think of themselves as part of nature, and cannot bear the thought ...
Feb 28, 2023 · February 28, 2023 by Minnie Walters. “A Nurse’s Song” is a poem by William Blake that was first published in 1783. The poem tells the story of a nurse who cares for a sick child. The nurse is shown to be very compassionate and loving towards the child, and she does everything she can to make the child feel better.
People also ask
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Poetic Techniques in ‘Nurse’s Song (Innocence)’ Repetition: Adds emphasis and enhances the sing-song lullaby style. Apostrophe: Direct address to ‘my heart’, evoking intimacy and emotion. Understanding the plot of ‘Nurse’s Song (Innocence)’ Story of a nurse and children: The poem centers around a nurse watching over children in ...
