Welcome to Poem of the Day – The Human Abstract by William Blake.
William Blake’s The Human Abstract is a profound critique of the way abstract virtues—such as pity, mercy, and humility—are often distorted by human nature and society. Through his use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Blake explores the ways in which these virtues, while seemingly benevolent, can lead to cruelty, deception, and corruption when they are tied to human desires and social structures. The poem, part of his Songs of Experience, underscores Blake’s belief in the inherent flaws of institutionalized morality and the human condition. This essay will break down the poem’s themes, structure, and symbolism to offer a comprehensive analysis of its significance.
The Human Abstract
Pity would be no more
If we did not make somebody Poor;
And Mercy no more could be
If all were as happy as we.
And mutual fear brings peace,
Till the selfish loves increase:
Then Cruelty knits a snare,
And spreads his baits with care.
He sits down with holy fears,
And waters the grounds with tears;
Then Humility takes its root
Underneath his foot.
Soon spreads the dismal shade
Of Mystery over his head;
And the Caterpillar and Fly
Feed on the Mystery.
And it bears the fruit of Deceit,
Ruddy and sweet to eat;
And the Raven his nest has made
In its thickest shade.
The Gods of the earth and sea
Sought thro’ Nature to find this Tree;
But their search was all in vain:
There grows one in the Human Brain.
The Human Abstract Explanation
The poem follows a regular rhymed structure, consisting of nine quatrains with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The regularity of the rhyme scheme contrasts with the unsettling and profound message of the poem. The rhythm and rhyme give the poem a song-like quality, which creates an irony—Blake uses the musicality of verse to deliver a disturbing message about the distortion of virtue. The calm, almost hymn-like structure lulls the reader into a false sense of security before the darker themes are revealed.
Blake’s language is direct yet rich in metaphor, reflecting the deep philosophical and spiritual undercurrents of the poem. Each stanza builds upon the last, creating a gradual unraveling of the dangers posed by human abstraction and societal norms. The use of personification in the poem—such as the personification of “Cruelty,” “Humility,” and “Mystery”—gives the abstract concepts a tangible form, turning them into forces that manipulate human behavior.
Themes and Analysis
The Corruption of Virtue
One of the central themes of The Human Abstract is the corruption of virtues such as pity, mercy, and humility. Blake presents these virtues not as natural, pure forces, but as ideas that are twisted by human desires and society’s inequalities.
In the opening stanza, Blake writes:
Pity would be no more
If we did not make somebody poor;
And Mercy no more could be
If all were as happy as we.
Here, Blake asserts that virtues like pity and mercy only exist because of inequality and suffering. If all people were “as happy as we,” there would be no need for pity or mercy. These qualities, then, are not inherent moral goods, but rather constructs that thrive on the existence of suffering and hardship. Blake’s critique suggests that these virtues are not altruistic, but are rather tools that society uses to manage and justify the suffering of others.
Blake’s implication is that pity, mercy, and charity are, in fact, born out of human selfishness. The idea of helping others may feel virtuous, but when it is not rooted in true empathy, but in a system that perpetuates inequality, it becomes a tool for social control.
The Role of Fear and Cruelty
Blake goes on to explore how fear and cruelty function within the human psyche, often masquerading as virtues or necessities for societal peace. He writes:
And mutual fear brings peace,
Till the selfish loves increase:
Then Cruelty knits a snare,
And spreads his baits with care.
Fear, which is often considered an essential emotion for survival, is shown here to be a key player in the development of cruelty. Mutual fear—perhaps fear of the “other” or of societal collapse—can bring people together and create a fragile peace. However, when fear is fueled by selfish desires, it leads to cruelty. Blake describes how cruelty “knits a snare” and spreads “baits with care,” suggesting that cruelty is not an impulsive act, but one that is calculated and deliberate. It is a form of manipulation that lures people into maintaining systems of injustice.
Blake’s exploration of fear as a breeding ground for cruelty reveals how abstract concepts like “peace” or “security” are often tied to the preservation of power structures. Instead of achieving true justice or harmony, fear creates a cycle of oppression that is difficult to break.
The Corruption of Humility and Mystery
As the poem progresses, Blake introduces “Humility” and “Mystery” as further examples of virtues and ideals that, when misused or misunderstood, lead to corruption and deceit. He writes:
He sits down with holy fears,
And waters the grounds with tears;
Then Humility takes its root
Underneath his foot.
Blake suggests that humility, a traditionally virtuous trait, is not always an expression of genuine spiritual humility. Instead, it can be a form of self-subjugation that grows out of fear and sorrow. The individual’s tears represent a false or performative humility, watered by the desire for spiritual or social approval rather than an authentic connection with others.
Blake continues:
Soon spreads the dismal shade
Of Mystery over his head;
And the Caterpillar and Fly
Feed on the Mystery.
Here, Blake uses “Mystery” as a metaphor for the hidden and deceptive nature of human existence when governed by abstract virtues. The “dismal shade” of Mystery symbolizes ignorance and spiritual darkness, which obscure the truth. The caterpillar and fly, which feed on the “Mystery,” are images of decay and corruption, feeding on what should be pure but is now corrupted by human desire and social manipulation.
This section of the poem portrays how ideals that seem noble—such as humility—can become twisted and lead to further deceit and darkness. In Blake’s worldview, these abstract virtues have the potential to perpetuate cycles of suffering and spiritual decay.
The Tree of Deceit
The final stanza introduces a striking metaphor: the “Tree of Deceit.” Blake writes:
And it bears the fruit of Deceit,
Ruddy and sweet to eat;
And the Raven his nest has made
In its thickest shade.
The “Tree of Deceit” is a symbol of how abstract concepts, when detached from human experience, can bear fruit that is outwardly appealing (“ruddy and sweet to eat”), but ultimately leads to spiritual and moral corruption. The raven, a bird often associated with death and decay, nests in the tree’s shade, signifying that deceit leads to destruction and the eventual downfall of society.
Blake emphasizes that while deceit may appear sweet and desirable, its ultimate effect is toxic. The raven’s presence suggests the inevitability of death and decay when deception is allowed to thrive unchecked.
The Origin of Deceit
The closing lines of the poem present the most shocking and unsettling idea of all: the “Tree of Deceit” does not exist in the physical world, but “in the Human Brain.” Blake concludes with:
The Gods of the earth and sea
Sought thro’ Nature to find this Tree;
But their search was all in vain:
There grows one in the Human Brain.
This startling revelation points to Blake’s central argument: the source of human corruption lies within the mind itself, within the very nature of human consciousness. The “Tree of Deceit” is not a natural phenomenon, but a product of the human psyche, a manifestation of our tendency to create abstract ideals that distort and pervert the truth. Blake’s insight suggests that the very structures of morality, virtue, and social order are constructed in the human mind and, when misguided, lead to destruction.
Conclusion
In The Human Abstract, William Blake critiques the traditional understanding of virtue and morality, revealing how abstract ideals such as pity, mercy, and humility can be corrupted by human nature and societal structures. The poem is a scathing attack on how these virtues, when detached from authentic human experience, become tools for perpetuating injustice, cruelty, and deceit.
Blake’s use of rich symbolism and metaphor, such as the “Tree of Deceit” and the raven’s nest, creates a vivid picture of how the human mind, when governed by abstract concepts rather than genuine spiritual insight, can lead to moral and spiritual decay. Ultimately, The Human Abstract invites readers to reconsider the moral structures that govern their lives and to question the foundations of the virtues they hold dear. It serves as a powerful reminder that true virtue is not something abstract and distant, but something deeply rooted in human experience and compassion.
