The Influence Of Perceptions In William Blake's Poetry

All humans are born with a natural and distinct inclination toward imagination. Each soul knows what makes the heart sing and ought to follow that passion. However, societal expectations can deter an individual from following their passion. William Blake proposes that humans require different experiences for fulfillment and that these experiences produce a difference in perceptions. Because there is a difference in perceptions among people, Blake proves that perceptions are not accurate measurements of the world. More so, he believes that society limits the imagination and in doing so, limits humans’ perceptions of the world. Throughout his poetry collections, Blake conveys that humans have a natural inclination toward imagination, but experience and society shape our perceptions and cause limited interactions with the world. According to Blake, …show more content…
According to "There is No Natural Religion," Humans make decisions based on what they know because “none can desire what he has not perceiv’d” (86). When an individual is innocent of the effects of society, their natural state predetermines their perception of everything they encounter, as shown in “The Clod and the Pebble.” The “clod of clay” possesses a natural disposition to be moldable and open minded, while the pebble is naturally hard and uninfluenced by others (5). Because of their genetic makeup, humans feel more inclined to act one way rather than another. Furthermore, experiences influence humans’ perceptions of the world. The clay “trodden with the cattle’s feet” is accustomed to being sacrificed for others benefits (6). Meanwhile, the pebble maintains itself in the brook. Consequently, the pair develops their own definitions of love based on their being and experiences. Likewise, humans gain more insight and develop a new or strengthen a current perception based on their