"Introduction" from Songs of Innocence

With the use of the images of a child, and the Lamb (which is an allusion to Jesus Christ, because He is the Lamb of God) and not to mention the pastoral language these elements establish the tone of the entire work of “The Songs of Innocence” as being just that innocent, guiltless, free from harm and sin. However, many of the songs are full of injustice, evils and suffering of the world.
Even the plate that corresponds to the introduction gives this pastoral feeling as it shows a woman with children gathered round looking at a book she has on her lap. Resting on the “I” of the word innocence leans the piper.
Interesting to note that the introduction has a piper and children, which reminds me of the story of the Pied Piper, where he was hired to lead the rats out of town. After he performed this task the townspeople refused to pay, thus he lured the children away and none were seen again.
Thinking of this the Piper in the introduction is luring this child by his stories and songs, he has captured his interest.

Monica Sandoval section 1B TA Waldo