The Sick Rose

The Sick Rose

         “The Sick Rose” is one poem from the “songs of experience” collection, written by William Blake. It begins with apostrophe “O rose, thou are sick” in a very pathetic tone. However, it seems that this poem is not really about a sick rose and a flying worm which destroyed this rose. Thus, there are so many different interpretations for this poem. Therefore, we, as readers, have to understand it through understanding two of its possible symbolism.

       The first possible symbolism is about the industrial revolution. The sick rose could mean the countryside under the destructive-industrial life. The life of comfort and calm turned to be a life of machines and noise. The roaring of machines are like monsters that break the silence of the countryside. Men were replaced by machines; otherwise, they leave to the city to work in factories. Poets also were affected since they need not borders in front of their eyes. Their imagination could be limited by the limited borders forced by the industrial life. Therefore, everything is under this “dark secret love” since it come to make our life easier under the term “love”, yet it is a false love which seeks not for our advantages. People start to feel the “crimson joy” for it makes life easier to them, but they have to pay much and leave their normal life to up-normal one.

       The second possible symbolism is about the illegal relationships. The rose, then, would be either parents or their children. All of them will be sick and devastated under this destructive marriage. At the beginning, the parents may think it is a joy while it will turn to be a “crimson joy”. They will end up by its “invisible worm” i.e. death. The parents will possibly be sick of so many diseases because of such illegal relationship. Moreover, the children will not have the needed care, and they will possibly be criminals. Otherwise, they will work anything to survive, yet the long hours of work will lead them to death.

       Indeed, William Blake`s “the Sick Rose” has so many interpretations. It could symbolize the industrial revolution, the church corruption, the illegal relationships, and the weak people under the tyranny mankind. The more we read, the more we can have different explanations.

Written by:

Sahar Yassin Alshobki