Aunt Jennifer's Tigers

RSKV PATPARGANJ 1002031
CLASS XII ENGLISH

POEM – AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS
ASSIGNMENT
ABOUT THE POET –
ADRIENNE RICH (BORN 1929) was an American poet. She was
widely known for her involvement in contemporary women’s
movement as a poet. The usual themes in her works were
women’s role in society, racism and the Vietnam war. Her
works reflect her love for telling the real truth in a powerful
manner.
BASIC IDEA OF THE POEM –
• The poem addresses the constraints of married life a
woman experience.
• It brings forth the message that women need to live for
themselves and not be dependent on men.
• The tigers symbolize the spirit of freedom which the
Aunt herself lacks. They are ferocious and fearless, stark
contrast to aunt’s suppressed personality.
• ‘Massive weight of uncle’s wedding band’ symbolizes
male dominance. Ringed' refers to the confines,
constraints and the demands of marriage that bind a
woman, within the vicious grip of her unhappy married
life.
• Even after her death she would feel terrified by the
trauma which she faced due to her dominating
husband/male dominated society.
• Aunt Jennifer's tigers will survive even after her death.
The tigers she knitted on the panel will remain fearless,
brave and majestic. The aunt herself will remain alive
through her art form.
POETIC DEVICES
Alliteration - fingers fluttering, prancing proud
Imagery - bright topaz denizens
Symbolism – Tigers - freedom of spirit
Aunt Jennifer - women suppressed in a patriarchal
society
Wedding band - oppression in marriage
Uncle - male chauvinism
REFERENCE TO CONTEXT –
When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.
The tigers in the panel that she made
Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.
a) What is Aunt Jennifer’s death symbolic of?
Ans. Aunt Jennifer’s death is symbolic of her complete
submission to her suppression.
b) Explain ‘terrified hands’.
Ans. Aunt Jennifer is terrified of her husband and hence
her hands are shivering.
NCERT QUESTIONS –
Q1. How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our
understanding of the tiger’s attitudes?
A1. The word ‘denizens’ is used for those animals who are
found in a particular place. The word ‘chivalric’ is used for
fearlessness and gracefulness. Thus, these words reveal
tiger’s attitude of living in a particular place and of being
fearless and graceful.
Q2. Why do you think Aunt Jennifer’s hands are ‘fluttering
through her wool’ in the second stanza? Why is she finding
the needle so hard to pull?
A2. Aunt Jennifer’s hands are fluttering because she is
afraid of her husband. She could not even work properly. It
signifies her mental condition which makes it difficult for
her to even pull an ivory needle while embroidering.
Q3. What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of
Uncle’s wedding band’?
A3. The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band points
out the burdened and unhappy married life of Aunt
Jennifer. She was overburdened with duties and
responsibilities after her marriage.
Q4. Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified with in
the third stanza?
A4. Aunt Jennifer is terrified of the oppression caused by
her marriage and husband. She lives under constant
pressure of marriage ordeals or duties. The image of the
wedding ring, even after her death, suggests that there is
no escape from the conventions of marriage.
Q5. What are the ‘ordeals’ Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by,
why is it significant that the poet uses the word ‘ringed’?
What are the meanings of the word ‘ringed’ in the poem?
A5. Aunt Jennifer has been living her life in accordance
with the rules laid down by her husband. Her life is
overburdened by the demands and duties of her married
life. These are the ‘ordeals’ that the poet talks about.
The use of the word ‘ringed’ is significant and appropriate
because it correctly represent the vicious circle from which
Aunt Jennifer is unable to free herself. The word ‘ringed’
not only indicates that she is wearing her wedding ring but
also that she is bound by the responsibilities, fear and
oppression of her marriage for entire life, and probably,
after it too.
Q6. Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals that
are so different from her own character? What might the
poet be suggesting, through this difference?
A6. The tigers created by Aunt Jennifer were brave and
confident. They did not fear the men. These animals
express her desire. She wanted to be free and graceful like
these tigers. They represented her suppressed feelings.

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RSKV PATPARGANJ 1002031

CLASS XII ENGLISH

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