Human Nature by Definition Is Corrupt

When it comes to the topic of the human condition most will agree that it takes an entire society to cause the damnation of the individual. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question if an individual should take responsibility for their barbaric actions. In their works, William Blake and Mary Jo Salter offer harsh critiques of the power individuals and social institutions have over the effects on the human condition. Blake’s “London” and Salter’s “Welcome to Hiroshima” both examine human beings’ capacity for astonishing acts of cruelty as well as the crucial function of memory in human history, demonstrating the physical and mental harm individuals inflict upon themselves and to society. Both Blake and Salter use a variety of techniques, namely: imagery, repetition, and alliteration in order to portray the wicked nature of humanity and to stress that time does not erase barbaric actions of the past.

Firstly, “London” illustrates an apocalyptic vision of humanity due to the negative effects social institutions have over the human condition. Within the first two lines freedom is juxtaposed to the restrictions imposed by authority, as Blake states, “I wander through each chartered street, / Near where the chartered Thames does flow,” (Blake 1-2). The repetition of the word “chartered” emphasizes that property is corrupt because governments undermine the principles of freedom by having regulations over the streets and river that are supposedly free. Moreover, the description of London gives readers an understanding of how institutions enslave the people they oversee. Given these restrictions human morale inevitably weakens, as Blake observes, “And marks in every face I meet / Marks of weakness, marks of woe” (Blake 3-4). Once again Blake’s use of repetition of the word “marks” reinstates that the actions of the government impacts human morale. It is through Blake’s use of alliteration with the words “weakness” and “woe” that stresses the misery social institutions inflict onto society. Essentially, Blake highlights and is afraid of how civilization controls the individual; as if the more civilized a society is the more inhuman people become.

Similarly, Salter’s intentions are to expose institutions for concealing cruel acts done to humanity because the ones with authority pose as a threat to society. Salter’s pleasant descriptions subtly allude to horrific actions done in the past, as she says, “a billboard brought to you in living English / by Toshiba Electric…” (Salter 2-3). One can see the irony in the “Welcome to Hiroshima” billboard since it suggests a peaceful and welcoming city; yet, at one point it was the location where governments contributed to the destruction of humanity. In fact, Salter carefully chooses the words “English” and “Toshiba Electric” because they represent the United States and Japan, both institutions that conceal