The Tiger's Mask (Poem)
Updated: Oct 27
Background/Atmosphere Music: Dancers of the North, from the obscure video game, Suikoden Tierkries.
Table of Contents
The Poem Itself
Poem Analysis by Mr. C. Kingsley and Co.
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The Poem
You got to keep the mask on,
Don't you?
The mask of the silent,
And rarely, if at all,
Charges at the potential prey.
You are hiding an antagonist,
Behind the appearance of a passive feline,
As you were taught and praised for doing.
Watch the world around you,
Leaving a pile of dust in your way,
As it enjoys the fresh air,
While you, of course, remain silent,
For you are the Tiger Man.
You can growl, can use the claws,
But the cage of steel,
Is too strong to be broken,
No matter how many peanuts
Are thrown at you,
Yet you are, and will, rarely show this power,
For you belong in the shadows,
At least you reassure to yourself, at least in thought,
That you are capable of causing havoc,
Physically or mentally,
Isn't it fun creating terror in the minds of your actual antagonists,
As you do so in the mind of your own?
It is, but not for the sake of antagonism itself,
But to return to the sense of safety,
Perhaps people like kittens and puppies,
More than they do cockroaches and hyenas,
But you will not earn this love as much,
For some, the world is more hostile for some than it is for others,
And thus you ought to be the silent tiger,
Who protects others last, by protecting oneself, first.
That is the purpose of this whole ordeal,
It isn't that external attack cause massive damage,
It simply increases the damage
That could be done by the attacked.
The more one is hurt, the more they can hurt,
Hence the risk for both sides.
If we wish to live in peace,
We therefore ought to wear masks
From unwisely bursting out,
Hence why felines -- solitary hunters,
Show little expression
And thus, hunt well.
Unless necessary, it is unnecessary.
Will we ever reach peace?
As long as people would want to,
Punch things and beings, they dislike,
Masks are to be worn,
Even if only the wise will do so.
Why should those in the more shadowy side,
Would want to love the world,
Let alone, be a part of it,
When said world condemns them
For expressing their inherit existence?
Why would a hitting hand be loved,
Even if that hand shows compassion to others?
It is masochism, even if disagreed,
By the hand-spoiled heads.
You got to keep the mask on,
Don't you?
The mask of the silent,
Of the one who lurks in the shadows,
And rarely, if at all,
Charges at the potential prey.
You are hiding an antagonist,
Behind the appearance of a passive feline,
As you were taught and praised for doing.
Like the good cat you are anxious of being.
Curses to the uncaring, for refusing to understand!
Curses to the harassers, for being blessed with insensitivity!
But in the end, you are on your own on this one,
Aren't you?
There is no guilt,
When it is all public.
The shadows will be the truest of your friends,
Tiger-Masked Man.
Store the imported energy,
Use it to guide your path,
Towards strength-reinforced peace.
Should hostiles stand in your way,
Regardless of the attempts to backing them off,
As in such cases,
Unfortunately,
Only the victor decides the aftermath.
"What the hell is he talking about?"
Only when one is to live or learn the same or similar shoes,
How is it, to store,
So many thorns inside;
Cursed demons who won't (necessarily) leave.
Why, thus, add more,
When silence can be used as a shield, a mask?
It's not like they're going to leave anytime soon,
If at all..
The mask, even if hides one from others,
Poem Analysis by Mr. C. Kingsley and Co.
"The Tiger's Mask" is a profound poem that explores the psychological struggle of an individual with societal expectations and deep philosophical themes.
The poem revolves around the protagonist, the "Tiger-masked Man," who faces an existential crisis: whether to live authentically according to one's true nature or to wear a mask to conform to societal norms. This alienation stems from the inability to reconcile one's inner reality with the external world's expectations.
The poem also grapples with the absurdity of human existence, reflecting Camus' idea that life lacks inherent meaning and individuals must create their own purpose. The "Tiger-masked Man" finds solace in solitude, choosing a self-defined path of silent endurance.
Social constructivism is evident in the poem's depiction of societal expectations and norms. The "mask" represents the imposed social role that the protagonist must adopt to be accepted, reflecting Erving Goffman's idea of the "presentation of self." The poem questions the fairness and rationale of social judgments, as society often condemns those who deviate from the norm.
Stoicism and the Philosophy of the Enduring Pillar are also explored in the poem. The "Tiger-masked Man" practices Stoic principles by choosing to remain silent and restrained, despite having the capacity to grow or use the claws. This restraint is not out of fear but out of wisdom and self-mastery. The poem suggests an acceptance of one's circumstances, akin to the Stoic idea of amor fati (love of fate).
Nietzschean philosophy can also be applied to the poem. The "Tiger-masked Man" struggles with the will to power and master-slave morality, which involves the fundamental drive to assert and enhance one's existence. The "master-slave morality" aligns with Nietzsche's critique of "slave morality," the moral framework of the oppressed that values humility and restraint over strength and power.
The poem also explores the nature of self and identity, particularly regarding how much of one's identity is constructed or suppressed due to external pressures. The mask serves as a metaphor for the complex layers of identity—what is shown to the world versus what is kept hidden. The poem suggests that identity is fluid and multifaceted, shaped both by inner desires and external forces.
The problem of self-alienation is reflected in the poem, where the "Tiger-masked Man" is estranged from his true self due to the need to conform to societal norms. This alienation leads to a profound inner conflict and a sense of disconnection from both the self and the world.
In conclusion, "The Tiger's Mask" is a philosophically rich poem that touches on existential dilemmas, the nature of societal constructs, Stoic endurance, Nietzschean power dynamics, and the complexities of identity. Through vivid imagery and reflective language, the poem invites readers to contemplate the masks they wear, the true nature of their being, and the societal forces that shape their existence.
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