God's Grandeur and The Tyger in Conversation

The Grandeur of God

“God’s Grandeur” by Gerard Manley Hopkins introduces God’s glory through his creation and in support “The Tyger” by William Blake, uses an example of the hand of God to exemplify spirituality. Through both poems, a common issue arises that seeks to point out religion as a connecting factor while utilizing the creation itself. The prevalence of religion as an attribute of both poems allows the simple words to make a humongous impact on the way people perceive the work of God.

The content of “God’s Grandeur” defines the strength of the natural environment since the beginning of time defeating the opponents of various generations. In the beauty of nature, a constant battle emerges from those who want to use it for their own benefit and God who watches over it, “Generations have trod, have trod, have trod” (Hopkins 5). This simple use of repetition expresses the severity of men’s power over this world. His creation turned to beaten ground, is overwhelmed by the non-stop approach of the abuse of nature. However, no matter how long nature is in persecution through the passing of time, God’s grandeur shines through the darkness to reveal an everlasting beauty. As darkness covers part of nature, there is the light in another, “Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, spring ---Because the Holy Ghost over the bent” (Hopkins 12-13). The presence of God is able to bring protection to the worst of situations where He shows his passion for His creation no matter what happens. Nature in a sense believes in the deliverance of its distress by knowing that God is the creator of all things. While nature is a vast topic that involves numerous living organisms, Blake delves into the power of one specific being.

One of God’s specific works lies in the meaning of “The Tyger”, where God makes everything, whether fierce or calm. Blake uses the method of his lines being various questions that imply a speculation of God. A line within the poem expresses the awesomeness of God’s ability to do great things, “Did He who made the lamb make thee” (Blake 20)? The lamb symbolizes a creature of God that shows innocence and safety while on the other hand, the tiger blares ferocity and even danger. Looking into this one animal allows one to think about the power of God making all things. Acknowledging God’s grandeur, the introduction and conclusion gives insight to all the amazing things God is able to accomplish. From start to finish, the tiger remains as the main focus of the poem releasing a sense of spirituality, “Tyger, Tyger, burning bright – In the forests of the night – What immortal hand or eye – Dare frame thy fearful symmetry” (Blake 21-24)? By contrasting the brightness of the tiger and the night, Blake gives an invitation to visualize this particular moment of power. God’s spirituality flows through the tiger giving it this distinction from its surroundings making it the center of a religious symbol.