to thinking poetry,
             which causes us to realize our own expectations, urging us to examine
             ourselves. Stanley Gardner points out that Blake's poetry forces us to
             "recognize our own adult anticipation, which caresses the infant inevitably
             towards Experience" (Gardner 124). From Blake's point of view, the
             experience is our enlightenment--the anticipation is reaching our
             potential. With these thoughts in mind, we can read Blake and comprehend
             how he grappled with one of society's most complex movements of
             consciousness. The feminine identity finds a voice in "The Visions of the
             Daughters of Albion" and traditional social and religious custom are
             challenged in "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell."
             "The Visions of the Daughters of Albion" has been described as
             "prophetic" by biographer Jay Parini because Blake wrote the work a
             "mission to awaken his audience to vital truths" (Parini 39). The poem is
             certainly an advocate for the freedom of women in areas of love and
             marriage. Although the poem is structured around only three mythical
             characters, Blake makes a powerful statement about the current social
             In the beginning of "The Visions of the Daughters of Albion," Oothoon is
             convinced that "the soul of sweet delight/Can never pass away" (I.9-10).
             She also believes that being involved in a "true" marriage will not harm
             her innocence. Bromion's vicious act of rape changes her perspective.
             This violent scene introduces us to Blake's central argument. We now have
             a slave owner raping his slave in an attempt to raise her value. We must
             look closely to understand Blake's message regarding the nature of a lawful
             marriage that is, in every sense of the word, a loveless marriage that only
             exists to serve social customs and masculine desires.
             The character of Oothoon bravely represents every woman and her struggle
             for freedom. She strives throughout the poem to convince Bromion and
             ...