What are the "mind-forged manacles"?

Question

From "London", a short poem in William Blake's *Songs of Experience* collection ([free to read online](http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1934/1934-h/1934-h.htm)):> In every cry of every man, In every infant’s cry of fear, In every voice, in every ban, The mind-forged manacles I hear:**What are the "mind-forged manacles"?**I think understanding this should be the key to appreciating the whole poem. The first verse is mostly scene-setting, and the last two are about specific examples of misery in London. The phrase "mind-forged manacles" seems to be the core of this poem. How are the metaphorical manacles forged by minds - and by whose minds? The people's themselves, or their oppressors'?

Answer 1

As Curt H. says, there is no "right" answer, only one that best suits your reading of the poem. Whether the poem overall is a treatise on the evils of capitalism, I won't venture to say, but it is clear that Blake sees a great deal of misery in London but believes that that misery is because we have created mental systems that enslave us: our minds have created the manacles (handcuffs, chains) that create the misery we feel.

Answer 2

It seems as though Blake is lamenting the effects of the industrial revolution on his beloved city of London, and therefore I think that it is the yet-to-be-named Capitalism that is forging these manacles in the collective mind of society. Capitalism is responsible for the horrible working conditions of the chimney sweep. Capitalism is responsible for the outward (and inward) blackening of the church. Capitalism brings ever higher body counts in war making the hapless soldier sigh. Capitalism has also brought the seedy underbelly of midnight harlots, orphans, and the death of marriage. Now, I already know what you're thinking. I'm not claiming Blake should be read as a Marxist! However, it seems that he is lamenting the result of explosive industrial expansion in his city. What do you think? Are there some other possible meanings here? There's no real "wrong" answer.