“Jerusalem,” by William Blake, is a contemplative portrait of the development of England during the time period in question. This poem deals with the theme of England's loss of innocence; this is important because it shows that development is not, as is often perceived, beneficial for a country; rather, it destroys nature and corrupts humanity. Through the use of descriptive imagery, Blake conveys the "evil" transformation that nature and humans experience due to modernization. The use of anaphora and rhetorical questions accentuates the theme of lost innocence and reinforces the poet's desire to regain this innocence. Additionally, Blake's skillful use of figurative language enhances the reader's understanding of the poem. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Throughout the poem, Blake uses vivid imagery to describe England's loss of innocence due to industrial development. Blake begins the poem by painting pictures of the innocence of nature in the reader's mind, using words such as "green mountains" (2) and "pleasant pasture" (4). It portrays nature as peaceful and beautiful: as it has always been and as it always should be. In the second stanza, however, images of nature's innocence are lost and are replaced by images of "cloudy hills" (6) and "dark satanic mills" (8). These images suggest that the development of England causes the innocence of nature to be lost. The pristine beauty of nature is contaminated by industrialization; the hills that were once green become dim, and the mills that were once suppliers become satanic. Blake makes clever use of imagery to show the effects of England's development on nature. Additionally, Blake uses imagery to portray humans losing their innocence. Before the development of England people lived a simple life, the life of the "holy lamb of God" (3). The people lived a simple life similar to that of Jesus Christ, where there was no greed, jealousy or corruption. This innocence, however, was lost as a result of England's industrial development. The people took on the characteristics of "misty hills" (6). Those who previously lived honest lives were corrupted by greed and power. Their innocence was clouded by sin and was eventually lost. Blake also uses rhetorical questions to convey the theme of innocence lost. Blake begins the poem with four rhetorical questions, which he uses to illustrate the poem's main theme: "And did those feet in ancient times walk upon the green mountains of England?" (1-2). By wondering if the English mountains were green in the past, Blake evokes the theme of lost innocence in the reader's mind. The reader learns that England once had green mountains, but they have now been transformed into "cloudy hills" with "dark satanic mills" as a result of industrialization. Blake uses this question to accentuate nature's loss of innocence. Furthermore, Blake uses anaphora to emphasize his determination to regain England's innocence: Bring me my burning golden bow! Bring me my arrow of desire! Bring me my spear! Oh unfolding clouds! Bring me my chariot of fire! (9-12) To strengthen Blake's determination, strength, and desire to regain innocence, the speaker makes skillful use of anaphora. Through this type of repetition the poem rhetorically enacts Blake's sincere desire to regain innocence. The use of repetition also serves to imitate relentless effort and the,.