Intelligent Design has always been a controversial topic. In both “The Tyger” by William Blake and “Design” by Robert Frost, the idea of “Intelligent design” is the central theme for these two poems. Although both poems suggest opposing views, both poets use similar method; each poet uses a species of the naturalistic world to reverberate a resounding theme throughout the poem, and each poet also raises rhetorical questions throughout; poising a theme of ambiguity, Blake and Frost seemingly intends the reader to decide on their beliefs themselves, however is in actuality subtly guiding the reader towards their beliefs.
Similarly, while Blake starts off his poem with a Tyger, Frost starts with “I found a dimpled spider” (line 1). Then both poets go on to describe the creature: “[the tyger] is burning bright”, while “[the spider] is fat and white”. So far, both creatures are well off, having great characteristics attributed to them; “burning bright”, a picture of a tyger with a glowing aura comes to the reader’s mind, while the color “white” might represent purity, virtue, and all that is just. However, here is where Frost and Blake contrast. A white spider would look rather creepy, and the fact that it is a spider cannot be changed. Many people tend to fear spiders, while a tyger is the embodiment of majesties. We see this contrast in the choice of creature and the evident attributes society has for them, as well as the context of the poem. Blake seems intrigued by the creation of the tyger (“In what furnace was thy brain?”.), whereas Frost seems to see the spider “like the ingredients of a witches’ broth”(Frost , line 6). Blake clearly supports design, while Frost opposes it, although both try to mask themselves through ambiguous symbolism.
Additionally, not only do Frost and Blake hide under their symbols, they also hide within their rhetorical questions. “What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry?” (Blake, Lines 3-4). Here we see immortal could be speaking about God and symmetry has a connotation of being perfectly shaped. Eventually, Blake reveals that he is talking about God when he asks “Did He who made the lamb make thee?”(Blake, 5th stanza line 4). The lamb is often referred to as a symbol of the Christian God for those who are unaware. The “H” in “He” is also capitalized, and that is another sign that “He”, must be referring to God, as it is like so in the Bible. By asking about symmetry, and referring to God, Blake seems to genuinely marvel at intelligent design, whereas Frost asks questions that he later on answers with just the tone of his diction.
Ex: “What but design of darkness to appall? If design govern in a thing so small.” (Frost, line 13-14).
Frost purposefully placed these lines at the ending of the poem, as if to conclude his statements. As if to say that design is only a minute part of our life, which may not even exist in the macro world we live in. The line “Design of darkness to appall”, probably mean the limits and fear that Design plays on us, that is the thoughts of hell and devils possibly? Frost says we do not need these superstitions in this line.
Both poets also use meter in their poems: Frost with iambic pentameter, often seen with sonnets, while Blake uses trochaic tetrameter in his villanelle. It is easily seen that the poems are organized starting with a description and ending with a series of questions. It is quite fascinating how two poets could have different views about a subject matter, yet use such similarly striking styles.
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