Infant Joy
Infant Joy - context Summary
Published in Songs of Innocence
William Blake's short poem stages a tender exchange between a newborn and an adult about naming. The infant answers that it is "Joy," and the adult echoes and blesses this identity. In plain, songlike language the poem focuses on birth, selfhood, and immediate happiness, offering a simple celebration of innocence and the power of naming to affirm a child's being within Blake's collection of pastoral, child-centered poems.
Read Complete Analyses"I have no name; I am but two days old." What shall I call thee? "I happy am, Joy is my name." Sweet joy befall thee! Pretty joy! Sweet joy, but two days old. Sweet Joy I call thee: Thou dost smile, I sing the while; Sweet joy befall thee!
Feel free to be first to leave comment.