Oothon's Symbolism

Blake creates a dichotomy of symbolism in his character of Oothoon throughout Visions of the Daughters of Albion. Oothoon primarily represents the oppressed woman. This is most evident in some of the early lines of the poem when "Bromion rent her with his thunders" (plate 1, 16). Oothoon is subject to the most critical form of submissiveness and yet is still deemed a "harlot" (plate 1, 18) and impure by both male figures. Blake portrays her as the portrait of women's sexuality in the 18th century and yet seeks a society resembling America in which, its citizens, both male and female, can openly express their sexuality. This is most evidently presented through Oothoon's closing remarks on "happy copulation" (plate 7, 1) and "lustful joy" (plate 7, 6).

However, while seeking the liberation that exists in America, Blake acknowledges the imperfections of a country where slavery still exists. In that regard, Oothoon represents those enslaved. This is of course brought to the reader's attention with the opening line, "Enslav'd" (plate 1, 1). Oothoon's rape by Bromion becomes an allusion to slavery. She has become "stampt" with his "signet" (plate 1, 21) in parallel context to a slave and his owner.

While Oothoon exists in this duality of oppression, she simultaneously stands for the sexually free woman. In plate one, Oothoon traverses the line between innocent and experienced, to use Blakeian terms. In a literal sense she forcefully loses her virginity; however, this loss of innocence occurs before the rape. She debates whether or not to "pluck" the flower from its "dewy bed" (plate 1, 7) which can be read as Oothoon's internal struggle with her own sexuality. However, before Bromion enters the stage Oothoon arguably takes charge of her sexuality by plucking the flower and placing it between her breasts, an overtly sexual act. This scene coupled with Oothoon's closing statements is indicative of Oothoon's dichotomous role as both the oppressed and the liberated.