Close Reading For Symbols Practice

Symbolism and Allegory in Blake's "The Tyger" & Other Symbolist Painting

Life of Pi Project, Practice Close
Reading

Open Ended

LIFE OF PI Project DAY 2, Practice Close Reading for Symbolism and Allegory

09/27 - BELLRINGER: Use you words! After reviewing the information below, use at least two of your Unit 2 vocabulary terms to make a statement regarding the ways in which this painting is a strong example of allegorical painting.

I. About the Painting, & Categories of Symbol

This painting is called "The Garden of Earthly Delights" and it was painted around 1504 to be put on display for a religious audience. It's symbols falling the following categories:
A. Character

B. Object

C. Color

D. Animal

E. Setting

II. How Allegories Use Symbolism

Allegories use symbolism in all sorts of ways. While the types of symbols in allegories are so varied that it's not possible to categorize them all, it is possible to group them into two broad categories. Characters, events, locations, and objects in allegories usually symbolize:

• Virtues, vices, or other abstract ideas. For instance, a crooked banker might symbolize greed, while the character of Mr. Legality in the allegory Pilgrim's Progress symbolizes a viewpoint that prioritizes the law over faith in Jesus Christ.

• Real people and specific historical events. For example, one character might symbolize Queen Elizabeth I, or two characters might symbolize opposing sides in the American Civil War.

Although the symbolism in some allegories can be quite subtle, it's more often the case that the symbolism is clear or even heavy-handed. For example, Mr. Legality, who symbolizes a mindset focused around the law, is named Mr. Legality! Similarly, in Geoffrey Chaucer's House of Fame, Lady Fame is the name of a character who determines the social reputations of others.

Name:

Class:

"Tiger" by Lefteris Katsouromallis is licensed

under CC BY-NC 2.0.

The Tyger

By William Blake

1794

William Blake (1757-1827) was an English poet during the Romantic era who wrote extensively
about God, nature, and the beauty of the human imagination. "The Tyger," published alongside
another poem called "The Lamb" in Blake's poetry collection Songs of Experience, is one of the
most anthologized poems in English. As you read, take notes on how the poem discusses the
human condition and the question of existence.

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 sinews1 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 Lamb2 make thee?

[1]

[5]

[10]

[15]

[20]

1. Sinew (noun) a tendon or ligament uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone
2. In Christianity, the lamb is often a symbol for Jesus Christ. William Blake also has another

poem in Songs of Experience titled "The Lamb."

1

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Close Reading - Symbolism and Allegorical Meaning in "The Tyger"

​Instructions:
Use the instructions in this activity to annotate the poem in your private Jamboard.

When you are finished, answer the question at the end of this activity.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements best describes the author's purpose in this poem?

• A. The author aims to explore the question of existence and how things came to be as they are.

• B. The author aims to talk about biology and evolution by posing questions in a spiritual way.

• C. The author aims to reveal a gap in human knowledge regarding where life came from.

• D. The author aims to prove that only a higher power could create such a magnificent creature as the tiger

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements best summarizes how Blake describes the tiger?

• A. Blake depicts the tiger as a fearsome, dangerous animal that should be avoided.

• B. Blake describes the tiger in terms of its light and dark elements.

• C. Blake depicts the tiger as an awe-inspiring creature made artfully with powerful elements.

• D. Blake describes the tiger as a peaceful part of nature that is unchallenged by its own origins.

Multiple Choice

How does the line "Did He who make the Lamb make thee?" (Line 20) contribute to the the development of the poem?

• A. It implies that the tiger is actually a gentle creature like the lamb's namesake, Jesus Christ.

• B. It implies that God is cruel for making a dangerous tiger that can tear an innocent lamb to pieces.

• C. It questions the judgment of a creator that would create such vastly different animals with such different components.

• D. It reveals the creator's incomprehensible motivation to create both a powerful creature like the tiger and a weak creature like the lamb

Open Ended

How does the speaker's use of imagery and descriptive language to describe the tiger being "made" affect the mood of the poem? Discuss how the imagery and tone evolves from the start to the end. Cite evidence from the poem in your response.