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Which poem by William Blake makes a plea for racial equality?

User Vietvoquoc
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Final answer:

The student's question does not directly correspond to a specific William Blake poem, though Blake's works, such as 'London,' often addressed social issues. The provided text references Phillis Wheatley's 'On Being Brought from Africa to America,' which makes a clear argument for racial equality.

Step-by-step explanation:

The poem by William Blake that makes a plea for racial equality is not explicitly named in the given text, but Blake's body of work often confronted the social issues of his time, including those of freedom and equality. One such poem, "London," from his Songs of Experience, critiques the social and political institutions that perpetuated inequality and oppression.

However, the excerpt from Phillis Wheatley's poem, "On Being Brought from Africa to America," offers a clear plea for racial equality during the period Blake was writing. In Wheatley's poem, she addresses the discriminatory views of African-Americans and underscores the shared humanity and potential for salvation regardless of skin color.

It is important to also acknowledge the analyses by academic scholars like James Levernier, Charles Scruggs, and others who have explored the subtle critique of slavery in Wheatley's work, her acknowledgment of African heritage, and her use of biblical references to critique slavery and imagine freedom.

User Akuma
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