Symbolism in William Blake's "The Tyger"/ Use of Symbols in William Blake's "The Tyger", the theme poem of his 'Songs of Experience'
Question: Symbols in Blake’s poem The Tyger . Answer: William Blake, the precursor of Romanticism as well as a mystic, was the son of an engraver. The Lamb is the theme poem of his Songs of Experience while The Tyger is the theme poem of his Songs of Innocence . ‘Innocence’ and ‘Experience’ represent ‘the two contrary states of human soul’ altogether. The tiger in Blake’s poem is a ferocious beast and an apocalyptic animal. It is made of fire. It symbolises Experience. It is rather opposed to the meek and mild lamb symbolising Innocence. The tiger ‘burning bright’ is not evil. However, it fosters the force to conquer evil. He is rather symbolic of Christ as He fought against evil to achieve the higher state of Innocence. In utmost amazement and awe, the speaker utters, "Tyger, Tyger, burning bright/ In the forests of the night/In what immortal hand or eye/ Was framed thy fearful symmetry?" The Tyger is constructed in the form of a series of questions rather than