The Tyger (Richard Schweky)

Mary Shelleys depiction of the creature created in Frankenstein and the aftermath, can be compared to William Blake’s the Tyger in a few ways. Blake’s poem expresses a creation that is regretted in the world. As if to say its existence should not be. “And when thy heart began to beat, what dread hand? & what dread feet?”. This quote from his poem shows a similarity to that of Frankenstein. When Victor creates the creature, at first he is filled with emotion and excitement for bringing the creature to life, but soon he becomes fearful of his creation. Further to prove this point, later on in the poem Blake states, “In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? What dread grasp, Dare its deadly terrors clasp!”. This is describing how the being brings upon terror and instills fear among the one who created it. A similar story is told in Frankenstein where the creature haunts Victor after he creates it. I think the final similarity in this piece is when Blake talks about the creator seeing his work to see if he appreciates the “Fearful symmetry” that was brought about. In Frankenstein, this theme is also brought about. The fact that Victor spent his time in the study of science to find a way to reproduce life which can be analogous to the symmetry Blake was talking about, ends up leading him to fear his creation more than appreciate his work.

The Lamb(Sandy Cheng)

In Mary Shelley’s work Frankenstein’s monster is more like the Lamb that is being portrayed in in William Blake’s poem.  The lamb is being described as an innocent creature that is created “Gave thee life.” Also the lamb is born to be gentle and has “a tender voice”. “He became a little child.” I believe that Frankenstein’s monster was born like the lamb, an innocent child or blank slate. If Frankenstein were there to nurture him, to love him and to feed him he would have become like the lamb. Unfortunately he was abandoned by Frankenstein and was rejected by everyone even when he saved people with good intentions. That’s why he became a revenge seeking individual not because he was born evil.  Another moment Frankenstein’s monster was like an innocent child is when he described his encounter with fire. He had burned himself and he was mad but then he was delighted when he found out fire made food taste so much better.  Additionally in the poem by William Blake, the Lamb was asked do you know who made you. Whereas in the tiger was asked what could have made you. The lamb knows that god made him and likewise Frankenstein’s monster knew Frankenstein made him and abandon him. Another similarity is “Gave thee clothing of delight, Softest clothing wooly bright,” god gave the lamb the best wool to grow and keep himself warm. Frankenstein also chooses the best features, making him strong and fast to protect himself.  I believe Frankenstein’s monster was born innocent but due to the circumstances he became evil or revenge seeking.