Blake and the Failure of Prophecy

This monograph explores Blake's prophetic mode as a dynamic response to historical change, challenging the reconciliation of foreseen future and actual reality. Blake's writing addresses the problem of text-to-action, presenting no definitive solution but continually seeking ways to fulfill prophecy's potential. Paul Ricoeur's hermeneutics offers a framework to analyze Blake's attempts, highlighting their connection with time, text, and action.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 225 pages
Publication date: 26 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This monograph takes a fresh look at Blake's prophetic mode, revealing it to be more than just a systematic framework. Instead, it emerges as a dynamic and human response to a period of profound historical transformation, where the future envisioned by Blake and the reality he faced were irreconcilable. Throughout his writing, Blake relentlessly confronts the central dilemma of politically engaged literature: how can texts inspire action? While he offers no definitive solution to this question, it is remarkable that Blake never ceased his quest to find ways to make prophecy truly relevant in the present.

Paul Ricoeur, a hermeneuticist of the twentieth century, shared a deep interest with Blake in exploring the intricate relationship between time, text, and action. Ricoeur's hermeneutics provide a novel theoretical framework for analyzing Blake's endeavors to fulfill his prophetic purpose.

In his visionary works, Blake sought to bridge the gap between the future he foresaw and the present reality, employing his prophetic mode as a means to inspire change and awaken humanity to its spiritual potential. He recognized the power of language and imagery to convey profound messages and ignite the imagination, using his poetry and art to challenge societal norms and challenge the dominant narratives of his time.

Blake's prophetic mode, however, was not without its complexities and challenges. He struggled with the limitations of human perception and understanding, recognizing that the future is always uncertain and unpredictable. He often depicted a world in chaos and turmoil, a reflection of the internal conflicts and struggles of his own era.

Despite these obstacles, Blake remained committed to his prophetic mission. He believed that prophecy was not just about predicting the future but about shaping it through the actions of individuals and communities. He encouraged his readers to embrace their creative faculties and use their imagination to create a better world, a world that was in harmony with nature and with the divine.

Through his hermeneutics, Ricoeur provides a valuable lens through which to examine Blake's prophetic mode. He explores the ways in which Blake's texts engage with the temporal dimension, the role of language in shaping meaning, and the relationship between action and interpretation. Ricoeur's insights help us to understand the complexities of Blake's vision and the enduring relevance of his prophetic message in contemporary society.

In conclusion, this monograph offers a new perspective on Blake's prophetic mode, revealing it to be a dynamic and human response to a period of historical transformation. Blake's writing confronts the central problem of politically engaged literature, how texts can inspire action, and he never ceased searching for ways to make prophecy truly relevant in the present. Paul Ricoeur's hermeneutics provides a fresh theoretical framework through which to analyze Blake's attempts to fulfill his prophetic purpose, helping us to understand the complexities of his vision and the enduring relevance of his prophetic message in contemporary society.

Weight: 318g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030676902
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021