The Tyger is thought to have been inspired by the Newgate Prison riots of June 6, 1780 . During the Gordon Riots Newgate Prison was attacked and burned by rioters, and prisoners were freed. Blake is known to have been present and viewed the action of the rioters with much sympathy. In this interpretation The Tyger is seen as a metaphor for the power of popular sentiment as enacted by The Mob (aka The London Mob ,King Mob.