William Blake’s The Little Black Boy and Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Women Essay Example

The Romantic Era is admired for its large number of time-defining works. Authors used their experiences to express their understanding of the world, and the events happening around them. There were many major historical events taking time during this era. Some of the most well-known would be the urge for justice for women and the presence of racism throughout the world. William Blake’s “The Little Black Boy” and Mary Wollstonecraft’s “A Vindication of the Rights of Women” are some examples of authors using their crafts to showcase their perception of the issues. These works set up the author's morals and ideas about how society works.

William Blake tackles the issue of racism in his poem “The Little Black Boy.” Racism was very prominent during this time, and many black people were exposed to it. This poem is told through the memory and comprehension of the things the mother, of the little black boy, told him about the color of his skin. The little boy struggles to understand why people treat him differently due to his skin color. He understands that when it comes down to it, he is the same as the English boy. This idea is suggested when he states, 

“And I am black, but O! my soul is white;”(Black, line 2). 

While Blake could be making the connection to religion, I believe it can also be connected to the idea that we are the same on the inside. The only difference is purely the color of the little boy’s skin. This idea gives a preview to Blake’s beliefs on racism. While the quote can interprated as simple, it also shows that Blake sees everyone as equals. My interpretation stems from the idea that he is limiting their differences to face value: the fact that on the outside they seem completely different. He states that the subjecting people due to their physical features is the cause for racism. 

They may learn to bear the beams of love,

And these black bodies and this sun-burnt face

Is but a cloud, and like a shady glove. (Blake, lines 14-16)

This quote further shows that Blake understands that racism is rooted in the physical differences of black and white people. He shows how the color of the little boy’s skin acts as a  cover to who he truly is. Racism limits others from seeing the true him, which is represented by the beams of love. I believe Blake chose to tell the story through the point of view of  a little boy because of the connection it could form for people. The idea that a child can see the racism that is going on around him. Blake takes the stance that the differences should not be penalized but rather embraced between the two-differing people. Allowing the two to benefit from one another. Blake uses this poem to bring to light the issues of racism and the wide effect that is having on black people. Showing his values and morals on the issue when many may have disagreed. 

Mary Wollstonecraft advocated for better education for women. She believed that women were stuck in the mindset that their purpose was solely based in the household jobs. She believed that women should not be subjected to only playing a role around the house. “I earnest wish to point out in what true dignity and human happiness consists—I wish to persuade women to endeavor to acquire strength, both of mind and body, and to convince them that the soft phrases, susceptibility of heart, delicacy of sentiment, and refinement of taste, are almost synonymous with epithets of weakness and that those beings who are only the objects of pity and that kind of love, which has been termed its sister, will soon become objects of contempt” (Wollstonecraft 225). This quote further shows Wollstonecraft’s stance on the push for the betterment of women’s education. She understands that women are staying in these roles because this is what’s expected of them. However, she knows that women could do so much more than solely functioning for the pleasure of their husbands and their families. Many would disagree with Wollstonecraft’s claims. During this time, women were subject to one way of life if they wanted to fit into society. Their education should be mainly focused on housework. They were not able to explore and expand their knowledge past those topics. Society put them in a box. Educated women were not desirable, and this caused women to, in a way, limit their own education. The desire to form a family out shinned their desire to become more educated. There were some who believed that women should stick to this way of life, while others believed they should have the right to expand their knowledge. 

All in all, the Romantic Era is one filled with works representing differing opinions on situations. These works are based on the author’s perspective, and they used their talents to showcase said perspectives.