"The Chimney Sweeper" poems in Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience are alike in being narrated by a young chimney sweep and focusing on the misery of that life. However, the innocent chimney sweep still believes that the adults and their institutions will look out for him as long as he behaves. The experienced chimney sweep is bitterly aware that the powerful have turned their backs on children like him.

"Infant Joy" by William Blake celebrates the pure happiness of a newborn. The poem is structured in two stanzas: the first features the infant expressing joy and blessing the listener, while the second reflects the parent's delight in the child's presence. The poem highlights a harmonious, joyful relationship between parent and child. It contrasts with its companion piece, "Infant Sorrow," which portrays a more troubled birth experience, emphasizing Blake's theme of duality in human existence.

The "Introduction" to Blake's Songs of Experience contrasts with Songs of Innocence by presenting a more complex vision. Instead of cheerful songs requested by a child, the poet commands the reader to listen, positioning himself as a timeless figure present at humanity's fall. Blake calls for a return to imagination and insight, balancing innocence with mature understanding, thereby advocating for progression through recognizing both good and evil.

William Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper" poems in Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience illustrate contrasting perspectives. In "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Innocence, a young boy, sold into chimney sweeping, finds solace in dreams of angelic freedom despite his harsh reality. Conversely, the version in Songs of Experience presents a bleak outlook, condemning parental neglect and societal hypocrisy, as the child is abandoned to labor while his parents pray, highlighting loss of innocence and hope.

The poem "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Experience by William Blake depicts a young chimney sweep weeping in the snow, abandoned by his parents who are at church. Sold into labor because he was once happy, the boy now wears "clothes of death" and sings "songs of woe." The poem critiques child labor and the hypocrisy of religious and societal structures that exploit the poor, creating a "heaven of misery" for the ruling classes.

The purpose of "Songs of Innocence" is to present a child's pure perspective, highlighting innocence and trust in a benevolent world and God. It acts as a counterpoint to "Songs of Experience," which reveals the harsh realities of life. Through poems like "The Chimney Sweep" and "The Lamb," it teaches that goodness exists but is only part of a broader reality where good and evil coexist, emphasizing the complexity of the human condition.

William Blake's Songs of Innocence and of Experience employs contrasts and duality to emphasize the coexistence of joy and suffering. The "Songs of Innocence" often depict a world of purity and happiness, while the "Songs of Experience" reveal a darker, more complex reality. This duality underscores Blake's message about the complexities of human nature and society.

In the two paired poems, Blake creates a stream-of-consciousness flow of images that is unusually consistent in both poems. We find, for example, that all of the mothers are shown in exactly the same pose, with arms folded in front and hands resting on their breasts. The mothers all appear to be pensive or perhaps sad but not necessarily so. In fact, they may be neutral or even indifferent to their babies who are depicted as disturbing or unhappy. Although there are no angels present in "Infant Joy," we find one in "Infant Sorrow."

William Blake's "The Clod and the Pebble," from his Songs of Experience, contrasts two perspectives on love. The clod represents selfless love, creating heaven from despair, while the pebble symbolizes selfish love, turning heaven into hell. The poem poses a dilemma about whether selflessness, despite being trampled, is preferable for nurturing growth, or if selfishness is too dominant, leading to despair. Blake leaves the reader to ponder these opposing views.

William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience contrasts themes of childhood purity and adult cynicism. Poems like "The Lamb" and "The Tyger" explore creation's duality: one as benevolent, the other as ambiguous and fearful. "The Chimney Sweeper" poems shift from hopeful innocence to bitter social critique. "The Nurse's Song" contrasts children's carefree play with the nurse's awareness of danger. In "London," adult awareness of social ills contrasts with children's naive hope.