Background and Summary of America: A Prophecy: By Makenna Childers

America: A Prophecy, the poem by William Blake, was written in two parts; "Preludium" and “A Prophecy”. The “Preludium”, the first part of the poem, explains how the prince of England is a dragon, and how literally speaking in stories the dragon is slayed by the hero, as well as biblically the dragon is also defeated. But also for tells part of the prophecy, buy telling the myth of the Orc. “A Prophecy” the main portion, was inspired by the American Revolution, although it’s not rewriting the history, but emphasizes the glory of the spirit that is the revolution. It examines the controversies between the Angel of Albion (England) and several aspects that deal with the American Colonies. These controversies escalated to the point that George Washington made an impacting speech to warn Americans that the Angel of Albion was going to come and imprison them all. After this speech, the founding fathers didn’t have to do much against the angel. The Orc intervened between the Angel of Albion and the American Colonies in a fiery burst. Most of this battle was then fought between the Orc and the Angel of Albion. The Angel of Albion then goes on to gather the “Thirteen Angels” that represent the original thirteen American Colonies, although these said Angels revolted and refused to be obedient the Albion. Instead, they dropped their scepters and united with the founding fathers to stand against Albion. In anger, the Angel of Albion sent plaques to the American Colonies hoping to get back for “taking” their Angels. But the Orc stopped the plagues before they reached the colonies and sent them back toward England. These plagues then sickened and defeated the Angel of Albion. Blake shows the rebellion of the Thirteen Angels as natural fight to end the oppression and renew their society to move forward.

In 1793 William Blake painted the picture above to go with his “America: A Prophecy”, one of his continental prophecies. This piece expresses his feelings towards the 18^th century rigid structural life and art forms. He goes for the more soft and rounded lines and edges to create this beautiful piece of work.