Read the poem 'London' by William Blake and answer the question given below :

I wander thro' each charter'd street,
Near where the charter'd Thames does flow.
And mark in every face I meet
Marks of weakness, marks of woe.

In every cry of every Man,
In every Infants cry of fear,
In every voice: in every ban,
The mind-forg'd manacles I hear

How the Chimney-sweepers cry
Every blackning Church appalls,
And the hapless Soldiers sigh
Runs in blood down Palace walls

But most thro' midnight streets I hear
How the youthful Harlots curse
Blasts the new-born Infants tear
And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse

Which of the following is an example of an oxymoron ?

Question

Read the poem 'London' by William Blake and answer the question given below :

I wander thro' each charter'd street,
Near where the charter'd Thames does flow. 
And mark in every face I meet
Marks of weakness, marks of woe.

In every cry of every Man,
In every Infants cry of fear,
In every voice: in every ban,
The mind-forg'd manacles I hear

How the Chimney-sweepers cry
Every blackning Church appalls, 
And the hapless Soldiers sigh
Runs in blood down Palace walls

But most thro' midnight streets I hear
How the youthful Harlots curse
Blasts the new-born Infants tear 
And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse

Which of the following is an example of an oxymoron ?

Accepted Answer

Here's a detailed explanation justifying why "marriage hearse" is an oxymoron and why the other options are not:

**Why "marriage hearse" is an Oxymoron:**

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms. The power of an oxymoron lies in its ability to create a thought-provoking and often unsettling image by juxtaposing opposing ideas.

"Marriage hearse" perfectly exemplifies this. Marriage is traditionally associated with life, love, new beginnings, and the promise of a future. A hearse, on the other hand, is directly associated with death, funerals, and the end of life. By combining these two diametrically opposed concepts, Blake creates a powerful and disturbing image. The phrase suggests that marriage, in the context of the poem's bleak London, is not a source of joy and fulfillment, but rather a kind of death or a path to destruction. The contradiction highlights the corruption and despair that Blake sees permeating society, turning even the most sacred institutions into something morbid and tragic. The phrase is not simply a description; it's a commentary on the state of marriage within the poem's context.

**Why the other options are incorrect:**

*   **Blackening Church:** While "blackening" suggests a negative connotation (corruption, decay, loss of innocence), it doesn't directly contradict the concept of a church. Churches can be metaphorically or even literally blackened by smoke, soot, or the weight of societal ills. There isn't an inherent contradiction between a church and the idea of it becoming blackened. It's a description with a negative implication, but not an oxymoron.

*   **Hapless Soldier:** "Hapless" means unlucky or unfortunate. A soldier can certainly be unlucky or unfortunate, especially in the context of war and societal oppression that Blake portrays. There's no inherent contradiction between being a soldier and being hapless. It's a description of the soldier's condition, not a combination of contradictory terms.

*   **Harlot's Curse:** A "curse" is a wish for harm or evil to befall someone. A harlot (sex worker) can certainly utter a curse, driven by anger, despair, or resentment. There's no inherent contradiction between a harlot and the act of cursing. It's a statement about the harlot's potential actions or feelings, not a combination of opposing concepts.