To love or not to Love
In William Blake's "The Clod and the Pebble," the Clod of Clay and the Pebble have opposing views of love. The Clod sees love from an optimist's view while the Pebble sees love from a pessimist's point of view. The Clod of Clay sings his verse about love; "So sung the Clod of Clay" (347). This gives a sense of jubilation. The idea of song is associated with happiness and glee. This gives the impression that the Clod is happy and that the things of which he is singing are also happy. The Clod of Clay is also described as "Trodden with the cattle's feet" (347). The Clod has been stepped on, though he does not seem to mind. The Clod is very optimistic. He knows that his purpose is to be stepped on. He doesn't resent his place in the world. He can see past his purpose and find meaning in his life beyond his job. The Clod's song about love says love is a wonderful and beautiful thing. He says "Love seeketh not itself to please, / Nor for itself hath any care"
The Clod sings, "But for another gives its ease" (347). Bibliography Blake William. This means, in general, to sing, but it is more like a yodel. Love, in the midst of pain and suffering, can build a grand palace of happiness and hope. The Pebble is a pessimist who sees love as a dismal illusion that only brings heartache and pain. When the Pebble says "And builds a Hell in Heaven's Despite" (347), he means that love disturbs a peaceful life. The Pebble enjoys a life that is more peaceful than the Clod's. He does not understand that being a pebble in a brook is his purpose in life and is his position in the universe. He expects to have an undisturbed life. When a person is in love, he or she desires only to be made happy by his partner. This means someone in love expects his partner to give up her simple life of being alone to share it with him.
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