A Synopsis of Lasting Themes Found in “The Child by Tiger”

A Synopsis of Lasting Themes Found in “The Child by Tiger” In Thomas Wolfe’s carefully constructed short story, “The Child by Tiger,” excerpts from William Blake’s poem “Tiger” and the King James Bible enrich the central themes of the plot. Although “The Child by Tiger” is very cryptic in revealing its purpose, several important concepts may be inspected to aid the reader in discovering Wolfe’s meaning. The stirring first stanza of “Tiger,” …

…that could be concealed behind many symbols and cryptic themes. His use of William Blake’s “Tiger” and the psalm from the Bible were chosen for their symbolic imagery and lasting impression upon the reader. Dick Prosser was alive in both the poem and the psalm, and as Wolfe forged his character into shadowy and grizzled detail, it can be inferred that perhaps we, or a hidden part within us, also dwell in such darkness.