William Blake's The Tiger is often hailed as one of the finest mystic poems ever written in English language. The poet uses the symbol of the tiger to probe into the mystery of creation. Question after question arises from his truth-seeking mind but no answer he gets. The mystery 'the sublime beauty of creation is nevertheless felt along the heart but it leaves the poet in utter awe and bafflement. Audio Books
Shoving aside the symbolism and the mystic overtones the poem can be considered as a piece written for nursery children. Such a poem should necessarily be picturesque. It should also have come moral to convey to child's mind.
Viewed thus, The Tiger becomes a picture poem, it gives the child the striking picture of a ferocious tiger.
The terrible beast is lurking in the bush in darkness. The fierce glittering eyes capture the fancy of the child and it is filled with wonder.
Curiosity makes the child ask question after question in its unconscious effort to know the truth. His intuition helps him to realise the truth. Just like the meek little lamb, this ferocious creature also is the work of the creator. It is also part of the dualistic nature. It is beautiful because all nature's creations are beautiful. The child comes to know or rather feel all these things. Audio Books
A small child is not likely to ask the type of questions posed in the poem. Nevertheless questions of a different type do arise in its mind. For these questions he wouldn't get the answers.
The Tiger is not as good a Sunday school poem as The Little Lamb. This is certainly because the former is a song of experience and the latter a song of innocence. Innocence any child has in abundance, experience is something which all children lack.
The Tiger could well be a Sunday school poem for children though not entirely.
