The second part of the work is focused around a vision that Tom has in which an angel appears to set

them all free (SIE, Copy Z) from the oppressive conditions of chimney sweeping. A common motif in
Blakes works, angels mercifully bring death, particularly to children (Damon 22). Specifically, in "The
Chimney Sweeper," an angel unlocks the coffins of the chimney sweepers (Damon 22), signifying that
the angel is bringing death to the children, thus liberating them from their oppressed state. In his dream,
Tom dreams of the freedom to frolic in nature, to wash in a river and shine in the Sun (SIE,Copy Z).
Toms dream is the epitome of a childs innocence, as it shows that a child can still be optimistic, even
when in the worst of situations. This innocence can be both imaginative and pathetic at the same time
imaginative because the innocent child can transcend his outer environmentand pathetic because the
child so obviously suffers from that outward existence (Adams 260). Blake uses the fact that the child
must indulge in symbolic compensations for his real lot (Adams 261) to invoke sympathy in the reader
and develop a pitiful tone. However, Toms dream of death also represents the experience that comes with
the childrens exposure to death in their dangerous line of work. Thus, Toms dream embodies the
incredible coexistence of innocence and experience that Blake describes throughout the poem.
The Angels focus on being a good boy (SIE, Copy Z) and doing their duty (SIE, Copy Z) brings
about Blakes questioning of religion and the accusation that it brings about false hope. In context of the
poem, being good means continuing in Toms enforced labors (Essick 54), presenting an open-ended
conflict in the mind of the reader. Though Tom is reassured by the speakers efforts and the Angels
promise that if they all do their duty, they need not fear harm (SIE, Copy Z), the Angel is acting as an
agent to quiet revolt against the injustice of this oppressive labor. In essence, Blake is showing the
downsides of innocence, for the comforting sentiments of innocence will have terrible consequences for
these boys (Essick 54).
In addition to blaming religion for giving the sweeps false hope of a better life, Blake, as a part of his
social commentary, also blames humanity in general for allowing and encouraging such a dangerous and
inhumane practice. By using the word your in the line so your chimneys I sweep (SIE, Copy Z),
Blake implicates the reader in the circle of exploitation (Essick 53). Blake claims that by supporting the
sweeping industry, society as a whole is perpetuating and encouraging the oppressive conditions in which
the young sweeps live. The sweeps trust in the justice and benevolence of the very world that has
injured them is terribly pathetic (Leader 46); Blake invokes a feeling of guilt in the reader by juxtaposing
Toms dream with subtle accusations of societys betrayal of these young children.