Saturday, August 8, 2009

The Lamb and the Tyger

Blake is actually making a point by asking a question that many of us ponder at some point in our lives. Is the same god who created all the wondrous good in the world, which in this poem is represented by the lamb, also the creator of the Tiger, which in this poem represents the brutal, predatory side of nature, and, by extension, reality. In short god created all these wonderful things together with the not so beautiful things maybe to remind us that life isn't fair. Life is not always about being happy, there is a relentless struggle to overcome the odds.

The symmetry between the lamb and the tyger is important because Blake is making a reference here to the Lamb, the counterpart of the Tyger. They are the same in that they are both part of god's creation. They are both equally important tools of nature, the lamb and the tyger, however they are different in that the lamb represents innocence, youth, and pleasant aspect of nature, where as the tyger is representing the more powerful, brutal, fearful part of nature Though both can be beautiful in their own way, the Tyger is beautiful in a more experienced light, as one recognizes the striking colors and form of this graceful, yet deadly beast, where as the Lamb is seen in a more childish, cute fashion.

Tyger! Tyger!Burning bright
Little Lamb, Who made thee?
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee!
Little Lamb, God bless thee.

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