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," chosen by Wolfe to precede his story, braces the reader for the darker imagery to follow. The vivid words of Blake's poem are put to work as underlying themes in "The Child by Tiger," including images of darkness, shadows, fear, and the fire-like burn of the tiger's eye that haunts the rest of the plot. It is in this imagery that perhaps Wolfe's primary theme is founded: what is human nature and what are its capabilities for both good and evil?The character Dick Prosser is upon introduction a deeply religious, gentle, and multi-talented man. Almost immediately in the story, Wolfe begins a consistent reference to Dick as very cat-like in nature, drawing on his cunning prowess, speed, and agility. It can thus be gathered that the tiger illustrated in Blake's poem is symbolic of Dick.
He met death with no fear, showing the same indifference to his own demise as when he calming killed so many of the townspeople. Did Wolfe purposely include this excerpt to chart Dick's transformation, or was it rather a satire on the hypocrisy possessed by man? Following the passage of the Bible very closely, Dick emerges from the dark forest much like the dark tiger in Blake's poem, and makes his way across the pasture farmland and stops before the river to face death. " Thomas Wolfe certainly made a point of crafting for his short story a purpose that could be concealed behind many symbols and cryptic themes. Comparing basic human nature to that of an animal, it is much easier to relate to Dick feeling trapped. Upon the narrator's discovery of the open Bible passage after Dick's violent death, his massacre no longer seems unprovoked or spontaneous. Either way, the excerpt from Exodus eliminates all possibility that Dick simply began his spree because he was a "crazy nigger. Thus develops the author's lasting theme. 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. Night, darkness, and shadows emerge as crucial themes, once again drawing their power from the introductory stanza from "Tiger. 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. Comparing Dick to a shadow or something "moving in the night," both disturbs the reader and causes one to question first impressions. Symbols from the excerpt taken out of Exodus are again very cryptic. The events that follow in the narration of Dick's final days is so sudden, and ends so abruptly that Wolfe's purpose is lost somewhere between South Dean Street and the undertaking parlor. The narrator paints an illustrious image of Dick Prosser in the early stages of the story, creating an instant admiration for what the reader first believes to be the protagonist; however, it is soon noted that Dick "went too softly, at too swift a pace", marring the seemingly flawless character and casting a shadow of doubt over the almost-hero.
Common topics in this essay:
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Child Tiger,
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Acceptance Essays
