TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > English > Blake - A Level Past Questions
Here are some past exam questions from for the A2 English Literature topic of Blake.
- How do Blake’s Songs reflect the period of political and social change through which he lived? How effectively does he use language and form to convey his views about these changes?
- What influence did Blake’s interest in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible have on his Songs?
- How does Blake express in the Songs his thoughts and feelings about the loss of a happy natural life?
- How do the songs reflect Blake's criticisms of the church in his time?
- Rousseau, whose writings Blake studied, argued that one of the principles that motivated human beings was a revulsion at seeing fellow human beings suffer and die. How far do Blake’s Songs reflect this view of Rousseau in their themes and language?
- A contemporary who knew Blake described him as eccentric and wild, but not mad. How far do Blake’s Songs confirm this view?
- A French Romantic poet stated: “Romantic poetry springs from our agony and our despair.” Referring to relevant Songs, show how far this is true of Blake’s poetry.
- To what extent is it true that Blake’s revolutionary vision dominates his Songs?
- Illustrate from Blake’s Songs the ways the poet shows that the people of his time were alienated from their natural selves and from society by political, economic and religious repression.
- Show how Blake in his Songs displays his indignation about the brain-washing and exploitation of children by people in power.
- How does Blake present his views in the Songs on relationships between parents and children?
- How does Blake in his Songs present his vision of paradise on earth?
- What impression do you receive from the Songs of Blake’s own religious beliefs? In your answer, write about the themes, tone and style of not more than five poems.
- What features of subject matter and style have you found in the Songs to show that Blake may be described as a Romantic poet?
- How is Blake’s personal religion reflected in his Songs of Innocence and of Experience?
- How are Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience influenced by the spate of revolutions at the end of the eighteenth century?
- How does Blake portray his ideal world in Songs of Innocence and of Experience?
- How does Blake expose corruption at the end of the eighteenth century in his Songs of Innocence and of Experience?
Comments
These notes are aimed at A Level English Literature students at A2 level.
Originally written by Simon-J on TSR Forums.
