The Chimney Sweeper

The poem’s ("The Chimney Sweeper") main tension (conflict) comes from:

• The natural world of sheep and fields and the dirty, sooty world of the city

• The painful world of human beings and the heavenly world of God and the angels

• The innocence of the boy chimney sweeps and the financial and social circumstances that create their misery

• The comforting world of sleep and dreams and the harsh realities of the waking working world

How did the speaker of "The Chimney Sweeper" get his job?

• he ran away from home to take it up

• his father sold him into it

• he was discovered by a talent scout

• it is the family business

The poem ("The Chimney Sweeper") resolves itself by saying:

• That life as a chimney sweep isn’t as bad as Tom originally thought

• That consolation can be found through religion and duty, even in a miserable situation

• That as long as you do your job correctly, you can avoid workplace injuries

• That life as a chimney sweep, while it may be difficult, gives you the opportunity to make friends

What is the main idea of the poem "The Chimney Sweeper"?

• Children had to work dirty jobs in the 1800s

• This poem is a harsh and justifiable critique of child labor.

• William Blake did not like chimneys

• Chimney sweeps were always children

In "The Chimney Sweeper," where does Tom Dacre dream the various chimney sweepers are kept?

• in a grand palace

• in their master's basement

• in a fine hotel

• in black coffins

In "The Chimney Sweeper," when does Tom Dacre start crying?

• when he gets up in the morning

• when he enters a dark chimney

• when his head is shaved

• when he thinks of home

In the first stanza of the poem ("The Chimney Sweeper"), Blake uses alliteration to highlight:

• The youth of the speaker

• The sad situation typical of chimney sweeps

• The poverty of a typical chimney sweep

• All of the above

What is the (a)  theme of "The Chimney Sweeper?"

• Chimney sweeping

• Suffering / Death

• Childhood

• Being dirty

Who is the speaker in "The Chimney Sweeper"?

• a young child

• Tom Dacre

• an old man

• a chimney sweeper man

Which two phrases from "The Chimney Sweeper" reveal how poor children were valued in Blake’s time?

• . . . my father sold me . . .

• . . . he open’d the coffins . . .

• . . . in soot I sleep.

• . . . Tom was happy & warm;

• They rise upon clouds . . .