Lesson 2: "The Tyger" and "The Lamb"

William Blake (Image: Wikimedia)

Lesson 2: "The Tyger" and "The Lamb"

For our first literature reading for this unit over postmodernism, we are returning to a poem we read at the beginning of this semester. This poem is "The Tyger" by William Blake, who, as you may remember, was a poet of Romanticism. Through our study of this poem and its companion poem, "The Lamb," I hope that you will be able to see its connections to themes in Life of Pi. Blake's poem "The Tyger" is frequently anthologized in English literature. 

"The Tyger" (Image: British Museum)

It is important to know that William Blake was an artist as well as a poet. He illustrated both "The Tyger" and "The Lamb" and included both poems in his book, titled Songs of Innocence and Experience: Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul. 

"The Lamb" (Image: British Museum)

Lesson 2: Guiding Questions

Now that you have read "The Tyger" and "The Lamb," study both of Blake's illustrations and consider the following questions as you write your first forum post. 

1. The poem "The Lamb" discusses the nature of the lamb. However, the poem "The Tyger" discusses the nature of the tiger in comparison to the lamb and questions how two completely different creatures could come from the same creator. 
2. Why do you believe Blake called his book of poems Songs of Innocence and Experience: Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul?
3. Predict how you think both of these poems may be related to our study of Life of Pi.

Lesson 2: Readings and Instructions

Read "The Tyger" twice. The first time you read the poem, read it for comprehension and enjoyment.

Then, read "The Tyger" a second time, while following along with Tom O'Bedlam, who does an excellent reading in thisYouTube version of the poem. His reading captures the mood and tone of the poem. Here is the video: 

Finally, after you have read "The Tyger," read "The Lamb." Both "The Tyger" and "The Lamb" can be found on the the Poetry Foundation website, which is an excellent source for many poems. 

Lesson 2: Assignment-Forum Post 1 

Your first forum discussion will be over both "The Tyger" and "The Lamb."

Place your first forum post below. These are the rules for your forum post: 

1. Post an original question designed to provoke discussion with your classmates.
2. Comment on at least one of your classmates' original posts about the poems.
3. Always give evidence from the text when you ask questions or when you respond to a classmate.

I will be grading the quality and depth of both your questions and responses with the grading rubric posted below. (10 points for original post; 10 points for follow-up response)

Online Discussion Rubric

Criteria	Exemplary=2	Proficient=1.5	Limited=1	Unsatisfactory=0
Critical Analysis (Understanding of Readings and Outside References)	Discussion postings display an excellent understanding of the required readings and underlying concepts including correct use of terminology. Postings integrate an outside resource, or relevant research, or specific real-life application (work experience, prior coursework, etc.) to support important points. Well-edited quotes are cited appropriately.  No more than 10% of the posting is a direct quotation.	Discussion postings display an understanding of the required readings and underlying concepts including correct use of terminology and proper citation.	Discussion postings repeat and summarize basic, correct information, but do not link readings to outside references, relevant research or specific real-life application and do not consider alternative perspectives or connections between ideas. Sources are not cited.	Discussion postings show little or no evidence that readings were completed or understood. Postings are largely personal opinions or feelings, or "I agree" or "Great idea," without supporting  statements with concepts from the readings, outside resources, relevant research, or specific real-life application.
Participation in the Learning Community	Discussion postings actively stimulate and sustain further discussion by building on peers'  responses including — building a focused argument around a specific issue or — asking a new related question or — making an oppositional statement supported by personal experience or related research.	Discussion postings contribute to the class' ongoing conversations as evidenced by — affirming statements or references to relevant research or, — asking related questions or, — making an oppositional statement supported by any personal experience or related research.	Discussion postings sometimes contribute to ongoing conversations as evidenced by — affirming statements or references to relevant research or, — asking related questions or, — making an oppositional statement supported by any personal experience or related research.	Discussion postings do not contribute to ongoing conversations or respond to peers' postings. There is no evidence of replies to questions.
Timing of Post	Discussion postings are distributed throughout the module (not posted all on one day or only at the beginning or only on the last day of the module).	Discussion postings respond to most postings of peers within a 48 hour period.	Discussion postings respond to most postings of peers several days after the initial discussion.	Discussion postings are at midpoint or later in the module or contributions are only posted on the last day of the module.
Etiquette in Dialogue with Peers	Written interactions on the discussion board show respect and sensitivity to peers' gender, cultural and linguistic background, sexual orientation, political and religious beliefs.	Written interactions on the discussion board show respect and interest in the viewpoints of others.	Some of the written interactions on the discussion board show respect and interest in the viewpoints of others.	Written interactions on the discussion board show disrespect for the viewpoints of others.
Quality of Writing and Proofreading	Written responses are free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing facilitates communication.	Written responses are largely free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing generally facilitates communication.	Written responses include some grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors that distract the reader.	Written responses contain numerous grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing does not facilitate effective communication.
Total Possible = 10

Rubric adapted from a rubric created by Lynn E. Nielsen at University of Northern Iowa-Cedar Falls.
A+ Rubric, Joan Vandervelde (2015) University of Wisconsin-Stout. https://www2.uwstout.edu/content/profdev/rubrics/discussionrubric.html


Begin Forum Discussion Over "The Tyger" and "The Lamb" Here: