![]() ![]() The poems in Songs of Experience, on the other hand, wrestle with issues of what happens when that innocence is lost. They also often take place in pastoral settings (think countryside springtime harmless, cute wildlife sunsets babbling brooks wandering bards fair maidens) and many times praise one or more of these things as subjects. ![]() Idyllic poems have pretty specific qualities: they’re usually positive, sometimes extremely happy or optimistic and innocent. In general, Songs of Innocence contains idyllic poems, many of which deal with childhood and innocence. Once Songs of Experience came out five years later, the two were always published together. ![]() Blake published an earlier collection of poetry called the Songs of Innocence in 1789. He wrote most of his major works during this time, often railing against oppressive institutions like the church or the monarchy, or any and all cultural traditions – sexist, racist, or classist – which stifled imagination or passion. Published in a collection of poems called Songs of Experience in 1794, Blake wrote "The Tyger" during his more radical period. Scholars debate about it because it connects to much of Blake's other work and its themes touch upon a lot of the central issues of Blake’s craft (marvelous!). High schoolers read it because their teachers want to give them something tougher to chew on (like a tiger!.OK, we’ll stop). Kids read it in elementary school because it rhymes and is about a tiger (yay!). "The Tyger" just might be William Blake’s most famous poem. ![]()
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