The Tyger Flashcards
William Blake
What is the central question asked in The Tyger?
How could the same God who made something innocent (like the Lamb) also create something as powerful and terrifying as the Tyger?
What does the poem explore through the symbol of the Tyger?
The duality of creation — beauty and terror, good and evil, innocence and experience.
What does “burning bright” suggest about the Tyger?
It evokes fire, danger, intensity, and divine or hellish energy — a symbol of the sublime.
What is meant by “fearful symmetry”?
It’s an oxymoron showing the Tyger is both beautiful and terrifying — a symbol of divine paradox.
What’s the effect of the metalwork imagery (e.g., “hammer,” “chain,” “anvil”)?
Suggests violent, industrial creation — God as a blacksmith, not a gentle creator.
How does Blake use repetition and rhetorical questions?
To express awe and uncertainty — the poem doesn’t give answers, only deepens the mystery.
What are the key themes in The Tyger?
- The nature of creation
- Innocence vs. experience
- The sublime
- Religion and morality
- Limits of human understanding
How does the poem link to The Lamb?
It contrasts innocence (The Lamb) with experience (The Tyger) to show both are essential parts of life and creation
What is the form of the poem?
Six quatrains in rhyming couplets (AABB) — creates a rhythmic, chant-like effect.
What meter is used, and what effect does it have?
Trochaic meter (stressed-unstressed) — gives a pounding, urgent rhythm like a blacksmith’s forge.
Why is the first and last stanza nearly identical?
Creates a circular structure — reflects the eternal, unanswered mystery of the Tyger’s creation.
Who was William Blake, and what did he believe?
A Romantic poet, engraver, and visionary; rejected institutional religion, supported imagination and spiritual freedom.
What historical context shaped the poem?
Written during the Industrial Revolution and post-French Revolution — reflects fears of uncontrolled power and man-made destruction.
How does Blake present religion in the poem?
As complex and contradictory — God is both creator of innocence (Lamb) and terror (Tyger), challenging traditional Christian views
