Patriarchal Systems of Power in Visions of the Daughters of Albion

            The relationships between characters in Blake’s Visions of the Daughters of Albion represent the different patriarchal systems of power prevalent during the late eighteenth century.  Oothoon, Bromion and Theotormon’s intertwining relationships symbolize to oppressive systems of power: the chattel slave system and the morals associated with Christianity. The relationship between Oothoon and Bromion represents the relationship between a slave master and his female slave. Blake’s descriptions of Oothoon reinforce the stereotypes associated with female slaves. The Daughters of Albion observed that “Oothoon weeps not: she cannot weep! her tears are locked up” (2.11). During the time it was commonly believed that slaves, female slaves in particular, were immune to feeling pain, compared to white women who were perceived as being fragile and delicate. This belief strengthened the idea that slaves were merely animals and property, not humans. Bromion is also represented with the persona of a slave master. Bromion is introduced into the poem when he “rent [Oothoon] with his thunders” (1.16). He violently ripped her apart. She was simply acted upon and had no agency during the act. When describing Oothoon and others like her Bromion said, “they are obedient, they resist not, they obey the scourges” (1.22). Oothoon and other slaves were represented as being subservient to their masters. The patriarchal slave-master relationship is represented both through Bromions rape of Oothoon and the language used by the Daughters of Albion and Bromion himself, which reinforced popular, preconceived notions.

            The second patriarchal system of power represented in Visions of the Daughters of Albion is the Christian Church and their ideas of morality and virtue. Theotormon was grief stricken when he discovers Bromion deflowered Oothoon. The dominating doctrine of the time was that virginity and chastity were to be protected by a young woman. Once a woman’s virginity was compromised she was considered a “harlot” (2.1) and a “whore” (5.12). In plates five through seven, Oothoon reveals the hypocrisy with organized religion. Christianity was meant to teach virtue and morality to achieve happiness. Yet, Oothoon revealed Christianity is actually quite contradictory. At the beginning of plate 6 Oothoon says “Infancy, fearless, lustful, happy! nestling for delight/ In laps of pleasure; Innocence! honest, open, seeking” (6.4-5), revealing how contradictory and hypocritical religion can be. Although the poem began with Oothoon distraught over her encounter with Bromion and pleads to take it back, by the end she self reflects and accepts the hypocrisy of Christian virtues. Oothoon’s idea of love and happiness transformed from the traditional views to a more self-loving and spiritual Oothoon rejected the dominant patriarchal stance on love and virtue.