The Tyger

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1794

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Summary

Background

Poem Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Form and Meter

“The Tyger'' follows a formal structure with six stanzas of four lines, all mostly end-stopped. Its syllabic structure is consistent, although it varies randomly between seven and eight syllables per line. Almost every complete sentence is a question. This pattern of questioning projects a tone of mystery and doubt, which represents the divine mystery of God and the creation of the universe. The poem’s consistency reflects the perfection of God’s work and Blake’s mastery of language. Like God’s creations, the poem is deliberate and in order, aligning itself with traditional forms in poetry instead of an unconventional approach. The poem showcases its symmetry and artistic skill, which the poem claims are key components of the creative process.

Rhyme

The poem is written in couplets, following an AABB rhyme scheme, and each stanza has its own pair of rhymes that follow the scheme. The reliable rhyme maintains the poem’s momentum, facilitating recitation and memorization. Rhyme increases accessibility in poetry, and almost none of the rhymes in this poem are slant rhymes, or rhymes that aren’t quite perfect. In addition to adding a lyrical quality to the poem, the rhyme scheme represents God’s perfect and deliberate creation. The couplets are also important because they too reflect the symmetry of God’s work.

Refrain

A refrain in a poem or a song is a line or group of lines that regularly repeat, usually at the end of a stanza in a poem or at the end of a verse in a song. In Blake’s “The Tyger,” there is one refrain, which is the repetition of the first and last stanza. The last stanza of the poem is almost identical to the first, with one key exception: The word “could” replaces the word “dare.” The poet’s word choice here highlights the boldness of a God who would create such a creature. The speaker moves from asking what kind of being has the ability to create the great and powerful tiger, to what kind of being would dare to do so, which elevates the creative endeavor to a feat of courage. The significance is not God’s ability to create but that he was brave enough to invent such a beast. The poem is concerned with symmetry; therefore, in framing the poem with these nearly identical stanzas, the poem itself becomes symmetrical, looping back on itself like a circle but with new understanding of the tiger and its creator.