In 2020 there were 7 posts on the topic of READING WITCUTT. Blake: a Psychological Study is a small book written by William Purcell Witcutt in 1946. In his Introduction Witcutt calls Blake's work 'a veritable jungle of symbols.' Witcutt proposes to 'provide a plan of the maze' encountered when studying Blake's Prophetic Books. An understanding of mythology, symbolism and psychology are the keys he supplies to unlocking Blake's dense poetry.
We had the good fortune to come across this book in the Arlington County Library in 1978. This was the beginning of Larry's interest in Blake. The linking of Blake with Jung made a profound impact on Larry and redirected his studies in the direction of Blake.
Perhaps Witcutt's book is flawed in some ways, but there seems to have been few other scholars who pursued the connections between Jungian psychology and Blake's poetry as thoroughly. As Witcott explores Blake's characters, they seen to be active and recognizable in our own psyches, expanding our consciousness. Blake and Witcutt pursued their own paths as their own consciousness expanded. Would that we could do likewise.
Letters, To Thomas Butts, (E713)
"In his beams of bright gold
Like dross purgd away
All my mire & my clay
Soft consumd in delight
In his bosom sun bright
I remaind. Soft he smild
And I heard his voice Mild
Saying This is My Fold
O thou Ram hornd with gold
Who awakest from sleep
On the sides of the Deep
On the Mountains around
The roarings resound
Of the lion & wolf
The loud sea & deep gulf
These are guards of My Fold
O thou Ram hornd with gold
And the voice faded mild
I remaind as a Child
All I ever had known
Before me bright Shone
I saw you & your wife
By the fountains of Life
Such the Vision to me
Appeard on the Sea" Links to posts in 2022.
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