Veritas College of Irosin
San Julian, Irosin, Sorsogon
A.Y. 2023 - 2024
A Discourse Analysis of the
Poem “The Tyger” by William
Blake
Stylistics and Discourse Analysis
Submitted by:
Ms. Joy M. Albor
Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English
Student
Submitted to:
Mrs. Marilou Fulo
Instructor
I. Introduction
In the study of language, discourse often refers to the speech patterns and usage of
language, dialects, and acceptable statements in a community. Analysis involves breaking
down the subject into its parts. Discourse analysis, simply put, is the analysis of the language
used in a specific context.
This article presents an analysis of William Blake’s poem ‘The Tyger’ using a
sociopolitical approach. It will thoroughly evaluate the connection between the speaker’s
language usage and the social and political context prevalent at the time the poem was created.
II. Primary Questions
This analysis will seek to answer the following questions:
1. How were the social and political circumstances of the late 18 th century,
particularly the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution, reflected in
the imagery and themes of “The Tyger”?
2. In what ways did Blake use the symbols of the tiger and the lamb to comment
on the transformations and tensions in society during his lifetime?
III. Discussion and Analysis
The Tyger’s Discourse Analysis
William Blake's "The Tyger," published in 1794 within his collection "Songs of
Experience," is often viewed through a religious lens due to its probing theological inquiries
about creation and divine presence. However, this paper proposes a sociopolitical analysis,
considering the historical backdrop of the French Revolution and the onset of industrialization
in England. These events, characterized by drastic social upheaval and technological
advancement, influenced Blake’s portrayal of the tiger as a symbol of fearsome power and
transformative change. By contrasting "The Tyger" with "The Lamb" from "Songs of
Innocence," this analysis will explore how Blake used these animal symbols to comment on
the social and political dynamics of his time and how these themes retain relevance in
contemporary societal contexts.
The late 18th century was a period marked by intense social and political disturbance.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, symbolized a dramatic break from traditional
hierarchies and power structures, paralleling the industrial revolution’s transformation of the
British economy and social fabric. Most of the rural population migrated to urban areas,
seeking employment in newly established factories, thus changing the landscape of social
identity and economic power. Blake, living through these changes, crafted "The Tyger" as a
metaphorical reflection of this new, formidable world shaped by human ingenuity and its
potential for both creation and destruction.
"The Tyger" used words rich of industrial imagery: "hammer," "chain," and "furnace"
are not merely tools of creation but are also instruments of confinement and oppression,
reflecting the dual nature of technological progress. The poem’s opening and closing lines
("What immortal hand or eye / Could frame thy fearful symmetry?") question the origins and
implications of such power, challenging the reader to consider who, or what, has the authority
and audacity to shape a force as potent and terrifying as the tiger. This repeated questioning
highlights the mixture of emotions felt by the people about the human innovation and control,
mirroring contemporary anxieties about the scope and consequences of industrialization.
In "The Lamb," Blake presents a gentle, meek animal that symbolizes innocence, purity,
and divine creation, starkly contrasting with the fearsome, mighty tiger. This contrast between
the lamb and the tiger reflects the societal transformation from rural pastoralism to mechanized
urbanization. The lamb represents the idealized past, while the tiger embodies the formidable
future. Together, these poems critique the loss of innocence and the moral complexities
introduced by human progress and revolution.
"The Tyger" remains profoundly relevant in today’s context, where technological and
scientific advancements continually reshape societal norms and ethical boundaries. Modern
equivalents of the "fearful symmetry" include issues like genetic engineering, artificial
intelligence, and global industrialization, which, while promising tremendous benefits, also
pose significant ethical dilemmas and threats to traditional ways of life. Blake's poem invites
ongoing reflection on the balance between harnessing such powers and the responsibilities
entailed therein.
William Blake's "The Tyger," through its vivid imagery and thematic depth, offers a
powerful commentary on the transformations of the 18th century and prompts a continued
reflection on the impacts of human innovation. By examining the poem through a sociopolitical
lens, we uncover a critical dialogue about power, creation, and moral consequence that
resonates with the enduring challenges of the modern world.
This paper has explored how "The Tyger" serves as both a product of its time and a
timeless reflection on the human condition, advocating for a detailed view of Blake’s work that
encompasses the interplay of historical influences and universal themes.
The Tyger
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat.
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? What the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? What dread grasp.
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears
And water’d heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger Tyger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
