The Chimney Sweeper MCQs and Summary

Summary:

“The Chimney Sweeper” is a powerful and emotional poem written by William Blake. There are two versions of this poem—one from Songs of Innocence (1789) and another from Songs of Experience (1794).

  1. Version from Songs of Innocence:
    • The poem is told from the perspective of a young chimney sweeper who was sold into labor by his father.
    • The boy comforts his friend Tom Dacre, who has his head shaved. Tom has a dream of an angel setting chimney sweepers free, giving them hope for a better afterlife.
    • The message of this version is hope despite suffering and innocence in the face of oppression.
  2. Version from Songs of Experience:
    • This version is darker and more critical of society.
    • The speaker denounces religious hypocrisy, pointing out how churches and parents ignore child labor and suffering.
    • The tone here is angry and bitter, showing how experience and reality destroy innocence.
    • It criticizes institutions like the Church and monarchy for ignoring the struggles of the poor
The Chimney Sweeper
The Chimney Sweeper
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1. : Who wrote The Chimney Sweeper?



2. : In which poetry collection does The Chimney Sweeper appear?



3. : What is the central theme of The Chimney Sweeper?



4. : What does the angel promise Tom Dacre in his dream (Songs of Innocence)?



5. : How does the Songs of Experience version differ from Songs of Innocence?



6. : What happens to Tom Dacre in the poem?



7. : What is the significance of “So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm” in Songs of Innocence?



8. : What literary device is used in “black coffins” in Tom’s dream?



9. : Which institution is criticized in the Songs of Experience version?



10. : What does Blake criticize in The Chimney Sweeper?



 

Question Answer
Poem Name The Chimney Sweeper
Poet William Blake
Year Published 1789 (Songs of Innocence), 1794 (Songs of Experience)
Poetry Collection Songs of Innocence & Songs of Experience
Main Themes Child Labor, Innocence vs. Experience, Religious Hypocrisy, Oppression
Famous Line “So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.”
Symbols “Black coffins” (death & oppression), “Angel” (hope & religion), “Snow” (innocence)
Literary Devices Imagery, Symbolism, Metaphor, Irony

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