Question

What might be the poet's purpose in this poem?

The Little Boy Lost

by William Blake


Father, father, where are you going?

O do not walk so fast!

Speak, father, speak to your little boy,

Or else I shall be lost.


The night was dark, no father was there,

The child was wet with dew;

The mire was deep, and the child did weep,

And away the vapor flew

Answer 1

The authors purpose would be to evoke the feeling of being alone without any one to rely on.

Answer 2

In this poem, the author's purpose is most likely to convey the feeling of desperation that the child feels when left alone. We learn that he is very upset to see his father walk fast. We also learn that he fears being lost if the father does not slow down for him. This poem shows the importance that the father has on the life of the boy, and how desperate people can become when they fear loneliness.