Since we didn’t get a chance to discuss it in Monday’s class, I’d like to address my interpretation of “Earth’s Answer.” The answer to the Bard’s plea, (“O Earth O Earth return!”) lies somewhere between a “no” and a “not yet.” Blake describes Earth as being trapped by darkness/night, which is an antagonist to fertility, birth, spring, etc. The Father of the ancient men, which I took to mean God, is doing the imprisoning. Thus, the relationship between Earth and God is under great strain, presumably since the Fall of man. Earth cannot heed the Bard’s call of returning to Eden until LOVE conquers the bondage of night. Once love reigns, spring, buds, blossoms, and seeds will grow, and Earth will be rid of her despairing darkness.
I also think it is worth noting that the Bible does not foretell a return to paradise on Earth, therefore we can assume that Earth and humanity is doomed to endure the darkness.
I agree with your interpretation of the poem. In addition, bringing up the Bible, I have noticed that in Revelations, a "New Earth" is discussed (along side that of a "New Heaven"), which seems to be a pure, untainted form of our current Earth. Undoubtedly, Blake had to be exposed to the Bible and Revelations, which leads me to wonder why he ends the poem in such a dark way instead of looking to a more hopeful future (if Christianity serves as an underlying theme in the poem)?
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