Songs of Experience: The School Boy 1789 - 1825

William Blake created "The School Boy," part of his "Songs of Experience," using illuminated printmaking, a technique he innovated during the late 18th century. This period was marked by significant social and political upheaval, including the French Revolution and burgeoning industrialization, all of which deeply influenced Blake’s artistic and philosophical vision. The poem laments the loss of childhood joy and freedom under the rigid structure of formal education. Blake intertwines themes of nature and oppression, presenting the schoolboy as akin to a caged bird, his natural vitality stifled by the demands of the classroom. As Blake wrote, "How can the bird that is born for joy/Sit in a cage and sing?" This resonates with broader critiques of institutional power and its impact on individual spirit. The imagery of a "cruel eye outworn" suggests a critique of authority that represses youthful exuberance. Blake's integration of text and image underscores his romantic ideals, advocating for emotional and imaginative liberation.