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Angel Quote by William Blake

“My mother bore me in the southern wild, And I am black, but O! my soul is white; White as an angel is the English child, But I am black as if bereaved of light.” quote by William Blake
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“My mother bore me in the southern wild, And I am black, but O! my soul is white; White as an angel is the English child, But I am black as if bereaved of light.”

William Blake

About This Quote

Source Poem: "The Little Black Boy", Songs of Innocence and Experience, 1789

He contrasts external skin color with inner purity, challenging racial prejudice by equating moral worth with spiritual whiteness.

In simple terms: Inner purity transcends skin color.

Key Takeaway

Value inner virtue over appearance.

Themes

race identity spirituality prejudice

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • education on race
  • interfaith dialogue
  • personal reflection
  • literary analysis

Key Concepts

equality innocence human dignity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does society define purity?
  • Can literature change racial attitudes?
A Different Perspective

Prejudice persists despite moral arguments.

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