Whats did William Blake mean when he said?

Question

Both read the Bible day and night, but thou read black where I read white.

Answer 1

Hello Calmness,

Poetry is always subject to interpretation. If the poet isn't around to ask, then you just have to take your best shot at it..

I look at the line and interpret it this way:

It's the mindset with which you read the bible. Some will read it and see the restrictions and shalt-nots and sins and trying to impose societal restrictions on others so that people obey the rules and behave according to the precepts that they profess to believe.

Whereas others will read the bible for the good, the transcendent, the upliftingness, and look for the spiritual path in the words to create of themselves a better human being.

That's the way I view it. Blake was commenting on how two people could read the same bible and come up with different interpretations depending on their mindset.

Just my two cents worth. Hope it helps.
Tara

Answer 2

The psycology of religious belief
sort sounds like Rorschach inkblot test

Answer 3

Maybe how some people read the bible and see war murder, killings desecration of property and lies, Other people read the bible and see love, and grace and beauty and forgiveness.

Answer 4

Maybe some see the Wrath of God (black), but those who are positive thinking and always want to see God in a good light see the Mercy of God (white).

What do you think?

Answer 5

Readers will have various interpretations of the same material.

Answer 6

People read "interpretations" into it, ones they have been told by unworthy teachers. ~ : )