Figurative Language in “The Tyger”

writer-avatar
Exclusively available on PapersOwl
Updated: Dec 08, 2024
Listen
Read Summary
Download
Cite this
Figurative Language in “The Tyger”
Summary

This essay will provide an analysis of the literary devices used by William Blake in his poem “The Tyger.” It will explore the poem’s use of imagery, symbolism, and meter, discussing how these elements contribute to its overarching theme of creation and existential questioning. The piece will also delve into Blake’s use of rhetorical questions and the contrasting motifs of innocence and experience as seen in his collection “Songs of Innocence and of Experience.” PapersOwl offers a variety of free essay examples on the topic of Poetry.

Category:Literature
Date added
2023/08/18
Pages:  2
Order Original Essay

How it works

In poetry, mastering literary devices as techniques and tools helps readers see and feel the meaning behind a storyline. When examining the figurative language in "The Tyger," William Blake uses literary elements, such as alliteration, symbolism, figurative language, and personification, to deeply understand the story. Through these carefully chosen devices, Blake reaches and draws in readers so they can relate and connect to the story as they are reading. Deutsch, the author of "Poetry Handbook," says that "Alliteration, sometimes called head rhyme, is the echo of the first sound of several words in a line" (135).

Need a custom essay on the same topic?
Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and we’ll deliver the highest-quality essay!
Order now

This interplay of literary techniques creates a powerful tapestry of meaning throughout the poem.

Before delving deeper into the figurative language in the poem, let's examine how Blake uses alliteration to make specific lines stand out. For example, the first line of the poem starts out by saying, "Tyger! Tyger! burning bright." The author uses the repeated sound of the letter "t" to show intensity and tension. Like a drumbeat echoing through the verse, it's almost as if the speaker is speaking to the Tyger aloud. Another example of alliteration is in the second stanza: "distant deep." Blake emphasizes the distance by letting the reader know that the creator might be far away. This careful crafting of sound patterns, combined with other literary techniques, makes the poem memorable for readers.

Symbolism and Imagery

Building upon the foundation of figurative language in "The Tyger," Blake uses symbols throughout the story to help readers create images in their minds. According to Rohrberger, the author of "Reading and Writing about Literature," "symbolism refers to the use of symbols in works of art and in all other forms of expression" (21). Blake strikes the Tiger as a symbol of something that is evil. The words that are used to describe the Tyger, like "burning bright," suggest what a mysterious creature he is. These symbolic choices, combined with other literary devices, allow the reader to paint a picture of what the author is trying to portray. Another effective literary device is imagery. Preminger and Brogan, the authors of "The New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics," defined imagery as "the reproduction in the mind of a sensation produced in perception" (559). Through masterful use of figurative language, the imagery of "fire" brings out the possible danger of the Tyger. Blake, in a way, is allowing the reader to visualize Tyger as something that is scary and terrifying. Writers use images to help the readers understand what they are reading within their imagination. This intricate weaving of symbolism and imagery gives the reader a chance to gain deeper insight into the poem.

Figurative Language

The masterful use of figurative language in "The Tyger" deserves special attention. Eschholz, the author of "A Writer's Reader," explains that "figurative language grows out the writer's mind, reflecting the way he or she views the story" (115). To grab the attention of the readers, Blake started and finished the poem with the same line: "Tyger! Tyger! burning bright, In the forests of the night." This circular structure enhances the poem's impact, while he also uses personification by mentioning "what the stars threw down their spears." Clearly, stars can't carry spears, but he helps the reader create a mental picture in the mind of their own, using the speaker's point of view. Through such vivid figurative language, Blake allows readers to create images out of their thoughts and emotions, enabling them to relate to and experience the excitement of the poem firsthand.

Conclusion

When examining the figurative language in "The Tyger," we see how literary techniques work together to create a powerful effect. Imagery allows readers to paint mental pictures in their minds, while figurative language deepens their engagement with the text. Through his masterful command of poetic devices, William Blake creates a memorable work where alliteration creates rhythmic intensity, symbolism builds meaning, and figurative language brings the fearsome Tyger to life. The interplay of these elements - from the repeated sounds of "burning bright" to the vivid imagery of "fire" - allows readers to fully sense the Tyger's terrifying power. This sophisticated use of figurative language transforms simple words into an unforgettable exploration of creation and terror, demonstrating how poetry can create powerful experiences through carefully chosen literary devices.

The deadline is too short to read someone else's essay
Hire a verified expert to write you a 100% Plagiarism-Free paper
WRITE MY ESSAY
Papersowl
4.7/5
Sitejabber
4.7/5
Reviews.io
4.9/5

Cite this page

Figurative Language in "The Tyger". (2023, Aug 18). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/literary-devices-in-the-tyger-by-william-blake/