“The Human Abstract”

“The Human Abstract”

       “The Human Abstract” is a poem, written by William Blake. He wants to create a transcendental world or even a utopia. Thus, He offers the four virtues, mercy, pity, peace, and love which are considered as pillars for this utopia. Before that, he discussed these values in his poem, “the Divine Image”.  In this poem, however, he describes the same values but when they are misused by the church men. This appears from the title, the ideologies of the church men, and the symbolism in this poem.

       First of all, the title of this poem indicates two things. First, it suggests the theme of theory and application. The title is only like a theory because the church men do not apply the values of mercy, pity, peace and love in their reality. Therefore, they are still abstract ideas and images without any practicing or without any ornamentation. Second, since these values are not applicable in that society, it would not be human values anymore. It suggests the opposite. Thus the title itself indicates monster’s values. The contradiction and the misused of these values could only suit monsters not human.

       Secondly, the ideology of the clergy men is corrupted, so they misuse every good value. They put false justifications in order to silence people as they say, “pity would be no more if we did not make somebody poor, and mercy no more could be if all were as happy as we”. They give justifications of poverty, sufferings and inequality in the society. It is fair enough for them to be themselves happy, and let the rest of the “all” sacrifice. As a result for this misuse of values, the society will be fragmented. Even love will be distributed, where there is no love except personal love as Blake describes it, “selfish loves”. Those corrupted clergy are pretending the “the holy fear”. They pretend to cry, but they are totally hypocrites.

       Finally, there are three symbolisms that refer to the misuse of values and the results from it. First, the tree symbolizes the church itself. It is full of mysterious aspects, and it is a source of corruption at that time. Second, the “caterpillar” and “Fly” symbolize the clergy men who feed the church. This choice of these insects, in particular, indicates that they are a source of destruction on the church and on the whole society. Thus, the outcome of this tree would be “the fruit of deceit”. It is totally poisoned though its deceptive appearance. Third, the “raven” is a symbol of death. This indicates that anyone would oppose the church or the clergy men, will be punished by disease, poison and death.

       In a nutshell, William Blake is known by his humanitarianism. Almost in all his poems, he notes to this theme. In his poem “the Human Abstract”, he portrays how the society would be if the love, mercy, pity and peace values are misused. The result will be absolutely a fragmented and ruin society. This is shown through the title, the views of clergy men and the symbolism in this poem.

  Written By,

Sahar Yassin Alshobaki