London, by William Blake, was written in 1794. This poem describes how people within a society react, or don't react, when they are subjected to unethical and immoral socially accepted norms. William Blake wrote an earlier version of the last stanza in London, which he later adjusted. The second version is more effective, and dramatic for the reader.

The first change Blake made was to "midnight harlot's curse." He changed this to "midnight streets" (13). The first version, "midnight harlot's curse", pertains more to the evil that results from a harlot's curse. Their disease of syphilis, or "curse", blinds their baby, or the baby that results from their customer and his lawful wife. By changing this verse to "midnight streets," Blake implies that the evil of the harlot's curse is everywhere he turns. The curse is...