The persona goes on to introduce his fellow chimney sweeper, Tom Dacre, "who cried when his head, That curled like a lamb's back, was shaved-(5-6). Although Tom is upset about getting his head shaved, the persona comforts him, with positive reinforcement, "You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair-(8). Tom's initially frightening dream, "That thousands of sweepers, Dick, Joe, Ned, and Jack, Were all locked up in coffins of black.""(11-12), demonstrates that he is worried about dying while being a chimney sweeper. Tom has this dream with images of hell out of fear and dread of continuing work as a chimney sweeper. As the dream continues, an angel appears with a bright key; "And he opened the coffins and set them all free-(17). Images are given of the young chimney sweepers, set free, running down to the river, and cleaning themselves of all the soot, then drying in the sun. As the dream continues, the Angel speaks to Tom and says, "if he'd be a good boy, He'd have God for his father, and never want joy-(19-20). The boy accepts what the angel says. This shows the true innocence of Tom to think that it is adequate to suffer now, because if he does what he is supposed to do, he will then be rewarded with heaven in the end. It is evident that the boys are comfortable with what they are being told from the sing-song like nature of the poem. Through out the poem, there is a nice rhythm, flow and happy tone showing their child-like innocence. They are extremely naive to accept performing this job and think they will be forever happy and free from harm, "So if they all do their duty they need not fear harm-(24). They enjoy the thought of God taking them in and being their father. The young chimney sweepers continue to go to work in innocently not objecting to the danger and iniquity of their lives. .
In The Chimney Sweeper (Experience), the experienced chimney sweeper realizes the terrible life-threatening situation that he is after being sold by his parents.
