Writer: William Blake (1757-1827) 

Title of the Author: English poet and painter

Full Title: The Chimney Sweeper: A little black thing among the snow

Original Title: The Chimney Sweeper: A little black thing among the snow 

Published Date: 1794, Songs of Experience. 

Tone: Anger, Indignation, and social criticism

Genre: Poetry

Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme in the poem is AABB – CCDD – EEFF. "The Chimney Sweeper" consists of three quatrains or four-line stanzas.

Total Lines: 12

Setting

Time Setting: Late 18th and 19th centuries.

Place Setting: The poem is set in England. 

Important Note: Both “The Chimney Sweeper” poems portray the suffering of little children. They are sold into child labor at such a tender age. They are forced to clean people’s chimneys. This is a very difficult and deadly job. The little chimney sweepers sleep in soot. They have completely lost their childhood joy. In the Innocence version, Tom, a little chimney sweeper, believes that if he obeys orders, God will protect him. He will always be happy. However, in the Experience version, this chimney sweeper is too experienced to believe that. He knows full well that his parents, society, and religion are responsible for his suffering.