poetry essay

The question of creation and origin of human kind has been the focus of conversation for centuries. Most of the population will agree that there is a higher power and even agree that they are religious. During the “enlightment period” of early America, many different opinions arose relating to our existence. William Blake confronts evil directly with truth by illustrating the “Tyger” searching for his creator using diction and repetition.

Blake cunningly draws us a picture of the tiger beginning with the whole, asking the tiger who could make his frame. Blake then moves to the eyes of the tiger, as he states, “burnt the fire of thine eyes”. He continues vividly drawing the picture for the reader taking the reader on a cosmic ride as the immortal hand creates its masterpiece. The creator of the tiger uses his imagination and creative thought to produce a one of the kind creation. The heart depicted as a powerful part that ordinary man cannot control nor would he dare bring to life. “The sinews of thy heart” generates us a word picture of only the strongest muscle used to create it; nothing spared in the formation of the heart. Once brought to life, there is no person that can contain its strength. Because of this, who would dare bring such strength to life uncontained? As the poem continues its description of the tiger it asks the question, “In what furnace was thy brain?” the bible consistently relates fire to purification. As he makes the tiger, it is created with a pure brain; therefore, it will have pure thoughts and clarity. The creation of the complete tiger is portrayed to the reader as a powerful, uniquely made, and pure creation. This creation is perfectly made and the creator approves of his work with a smile.

He starts...

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... things, “Did he who made the Lamb make thee?” Blake wants not only the tiger to recognize an almighty creator made him but also the creator made all things.

In conclusion, Blake draws a very distinct picture of God and his creation in the world today. People created by an Almighty Creator, are uniquely and specifically brought to life; he sees them as good and smiles upon them. The evil and dark world we live in has perverted our thinking and minds to the point where we have forgotten not only who had made us, but also how special and perfect he has made them. God delights in his creations and longs for them to know who He is. God is in complete control and over all things; he even controls the stars and the heavens.

Works Cited

Kennedy, X J., and Dana Gioia. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. 7th ed. Boston, MA: Pearson, 2012.