The Clod and the Pebble is a poem that Blake wrote to show the stark contrast between two very different personalities. This poem exemplifies Blake's usage of dialectic opposites, the extremes of two sides, but specifically in the same poem. The clod and the pebble have extremely contrasting views on love – the clod views it as altruistic and compassionate while the pebble sees love as a selfish emotion.
             The clod is described as "trodden with cattle's feet" meaning that he has been repeatedly trampled on, yet he does not seem to mind that this is going on. He accepts that the purpose of his very existence is to be stepped on by higher beings. The clod's song of love is full of optimism and hopefulness. He is the voice of innocence in the poem. He sings that "Love seeketh not itself to please, Nor for itself hath any care", indicating to us that he thinks love is selfless and that a lover would do many things just to please the people he loves. Love to the clod is good, and forever giving. The clod goes further to explain that love "for another gives its ease", he is telling us that a lover would give up many aspects of his life to be with the one he loves. Love is altruistic in this situation and no other feeling or emotion can distract it. Then the Clod says "And builds a Heaven in Hell's despair", he means that love can overcome anything. In hopeless situations and despair, love can be the saving grace, the silver lining behind the dark cloud – it is the antithesis of the evils in life, the creator of home.
             The pebble on the other hand, is the total opposite of the clod. Love to the pebble is deceiving and selfish. The pebble warbles his verse about love, "But a Pebble in the brook Warbled out these meters met". This means to yodel. This does not sound like the song of the Clod. It is not nearly as jubilant. The pebble lives in a brook; containing clean, clear water. This i...