1. Symbolism:
* "The Lamb": The lamb is a central symbol representing innocence, purity, and Christ-like qualities. It asks the question "Little Lamb, who made thee?" which symbolizes the search for understanding and a creator.
* "The Shepherd": The shepherd represents God or a benevolent figure who guides and protects the innocent.
* "The Flowers": Flowers are often associated with beauty, fragility, and the transient nature of life.
* "The Sun": The sun symbolizes the divine light, knowledge, and enlightenment.
2. Imagery:
* Visual Imagery: The poem is rich in visual imagery, creating vivid pictures in the reader's mind. For example, "He is meek and mild," "He is white as snow," and "The flowers are lovely, the trees are green."
* Auditory Imagery: Blake uses sounds to create a sense of peace and tranquility, such as "The birds do sing, the lambs do play."
3. Personification:
* The lamb is personified by giving it the ability to speak and ask questions.
* Nature is personified as it "laughs and dances."
4. Repetition:
* Repetition of words and phrases emphasizes key ideas. For instance, "He is meek and mild" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the lamb's innocence.
* The poem uses the anaphora "Little Lamb, who made thee?" to create a sense of wonder and curiosity.
5. Alliteration:
* The use of alliteration, such as "white as snow" and "birds do sing," creates a musical effect and reinforces the poem's themes.
6. Simple Language:
* Blake uses simple language and syntax, making the poem easily accessible to readers of all ages.
7. Contrast and Binary Oppositions:
* The poem subtly contrasts innocence and experience, as the child's wonder contrasts with the shepherd's wisdom.
8. Rhetorical Questions:
* The poem features rhetorical questions, such as "Little Lamb, who made thee?" This encourages the reader to engage with the poem's themes and reflect on the nature of creation.
9. Pastoral Setting:
* The poem is set in a pastoral setting, which reinforces the themes of innocence and peace.
These poetic devices work together to create a powerful and moving poem that celebrates innocence, simplicity, and the search for meaning.