KSEEB Class 9 · English (1st language) · KTBS Revised 2024-25
Tiger
Chapter summary, hard words and model exam answers for Karnataka Board Class 9 English.
Free online summary and notes (Karnataka Board Class 9 English). Read it here, no PDF download needed.
About the author
William Blake (1757–1827) was an English poet, artist, and visionary of the Romantic age. His "Songs of Innocence and of Experience" pair poems like "The Lamb" and "The Tyger" to explore creation's gentleness and terror. "Tiger" (often titled "The Tyger") is among the most famous lyrics in English.
Summary
The poet sees the tiger burning bright in forest night and asks what immortal hand could create it.
The poet sees the tiger burning bright in forest night and asks what immortal hand could create it.
Symmetry here means balanced terrifying perfection - claws, eyes, and stripes fitted for killing yet beautiful.
Symmetry here means balanced terrifying perfection - claws, eyes, and stripes fitted for killing yet beautiful.
Blake asks if the creator used hammer, chain, furnace, and anvil - industrial images for cosmic creation.
Blake asks if the creator used hammer, chain, furnace, and anvil - industrial images for cosmic creation.
Did the maker dare fly or weep when shaping the tiger? Creation involves risk and emotional cost.
Did the maker dare fly or weep when shaping the tiger? Creation involves risk and emotional cost.
When the tiger arose, did stars throw down their spears? Cosmic forces react to new violence entering the world.
When the tiger arose, did stars throw down their spears? Cosmic forces react to new violence entering the world.
The poem ends repeating the opening question, linking to "The Lamb" - innocence and experience share one mystery.
The poem ends repeating the opening question, linking to "The Lamb" - innocence and experience share one mystery.
Hard words & meanings
| symmetry | harmonious proportion in shape or design |
| immortal | living forever; divine |
| fearful | dreadful yet impressive |
| forge | place where metal is heated and shaped |
| anvil | heavy block on which a blacksmith works |
| dread | fear mixed with respect |
| cosmic | relating to the whole universe or heavens |
| visionary | seeing beyond ordinary reality |
| paradox | two opposite ideas that may both be true |
Model exam answers, grammar & audio
You have read the summary. The board-ready model answers, grammar notes, one-touch audio and writing practice for this chapter are part of Lipi.
Sign in to unlockSee it, understand it, hear it read aloud, then write the exam answer with confidence, for a fraction of a tutor cost.