Question

Read these stanzas from “The Chimney Sweeper.” What is the best summary of the events the stanzas describe?

Answer 1

Answer:

B) Tom dreamed that sweepers died and went to heaven.

Explanation:

William Blake's poem "The Chimney Sweeper" from his "Songs of Innocence" is a poem about young children who were hired as chimney sweepers during the 18th century English society. This poem delves into the unhealthy and deplorable conditions of children who had to earn a living doing a work that is risky and even dangerous to their well being.

In the given stanzas of the poem, the speaker talks about how Tom Dacre had a dream one night and saw an angel with "a bright key". This angel promised to set them free if they obediently do their work as chimney sweepers. In a way, the angel is justifying this child labor, which the author Blake strongly opposes. The poem is a critique of society where child employment occurs on a large scale and young people suffer the most. Thus, the best summary of the given stanzas is that Tom dreamed that many sweepers died and went to heaven.