In the poems "London" by William Blake and "Iguana Memory" by Grace Nichols there are many different ideas and themes which are expressed in different ways

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“The kind of feelings and ideas explored in a poem are always determined by the poet’s use of form” Examine the different ways poets explore ideas and feelings.

In the poems “London” by William Blake and “Iguana Memory” by Grace Nichols there are many different ideas and themes which are expressed in different ways, however the form of the poem is not the only method used to convey these to the audience.

In “London” Blake uses a conventional rhyme scheme throughout, there is an ABAB pattern.

“…cry of every man….voice in every ban”

By using this simple scheme the poem seems to be repetitive and regular. This may be used to illustrate London in terms of the city being quite dull and without life. This idea is also put across by use of adjectives and the other words used to describe the setting.

“Every black’ning Church appals”

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“Runs in blood down Palace walls”

Words such as this have negative connotations as blood is related to pain and violence. This depicts what life in London was like. Similarly Nichols uses descriptive words to express the idea of children and childlike thoughts. By doing this we as the reader can imagine what it was like for her, as a child, to see the iguana.

“..rustling…”

Also we gather the impression from the form of the poem that it was deliberate written by Nichols in the style of a child. For example there is no ...

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