Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers by Adrienne Rich
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
The poet addresses the
difficulties of a married woman. She spends good amount of
time in embroidering panel of tigers prancing across the screen. The
tigers are fearless creatures pacing elegantly and majestically. They symbolize
the spirit of freedom.
Aunt is a victim of male chauvinism (male domination). Aunt
Jennifer is so oppressed and terrified that she finds it hard to pull the needle. The
“weight of Uncle’s wedding band “expresses how victimized and oppressed she is.
It implies that
aunt Jennifer has to work hard to meet his expectation. She
spends her life in fear but she embroiders on the panel the fearless tigers to express her secret
longing for a life of freedom and confidence. Even her death
does not end the problem and torture which a married woman experiences.
NCERT
Book Solution
Think
it Out (Page No: 104)
1.
How do 'denizens' and 'chivalric' add to our understanding of the tiger's
attitudes?
Answer: Like all beasts of prey, the tigers are the denizens of forest. They
live far away from human settlements. They are called 'chivalric.' This
indicates the majestic and honourable position that they occupy in the world of
animals. So the use of the words 'denizens' and 'chivalric' adds to our
understanding of the tigers' attitudes.
2.
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?
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer has a troubled married life with a domineering and
oppressive husband. She tries to find refuge in art, but even here, she cannot
leave behind the weight of her conjugal life. Thus, her hands quiver so much
that she cannot pull even the needles through the base cloth.
3. What is suggested by the image 'massive weight of Uncle's wedding band'?
Answer: The
'wedding band' that the poet talks about was the wedding ring worn by Aunt
Jennifer. The image 'massive weight of Uncle's wedding band' suggests that she
was overburdened with duties and responsibilities, post her marriage.
4.
Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified with in the third stanza?
Answer:
Even after death, Aunt would carry her fear of her domineering husband
as she would yet bear the burden of the wedding band on her finger. The ordeals
faced by her in an oppressive marriage would continue to terrify her.
5.
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?
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer has been living her life in accordance with the rules laid
down by her husband. Her life lacks expression and is overburdened by the
demands and duties of her married life. Although old and weak, she still has to
face oppression by her husband. These are the ordeals that the poet talks
about.
The use of word 'ringed', in the poem, is
significant and appropriate because it correctly represents 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.
6. Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals that are so different from her own character? Answer: The timid and fearful Aunt Jennifer creates an alternative world of free and fearless tigers to express her longing for freedom, a medium of escape from her grim marriage.
The ironical contrast underscores a warning
by the poet against acceptance of subjugation by women as it crushes their
dreams, individuality and a full life.
7.
Interpret the symbols found in this poem.
Answer: Wedding band is a symbol of oppression in an unhappy marriage. Marriage
is socially and legally binding, making women silently accept their subjugation
and male domination, especially in a patriarchal society. Its weight refers to
the burden of gender expectations. Ringed means encircled or trapped, losing
individuality and freedom.
Aunt Jennifer is a typical victim of male
oppression in an unhappy marriage, who suffers loss of individuality, dignity
and personal freedom silently. She becomes dependent, fearful and frail.
Tigers symbolize untamed free spirit. Here
they are antithesis of their creator’s personality. The use of colours implies
that Aunt Jennifer's tigers and their land are more vital and enjoy a sense of
freedom far greater than her. Yellow (bright topaz) connotes the sun and fierce
energy, while green reminds one of spring and vitality. Embroidery is a symbol
of creative expression. The artwork expresses the Aunt’s suppressed desires and
becomes her escape from the oppressive reality of her life.
8.
Do you sympathise with Aunt Jennifer? What is the attitude of the speaker
towards Aunt Jennifer?
Answer: Yes, the character of Aunt Jennifer wins our sympathy as a reader. Her ordeals and sufferings move the reader. Even the speaker in the poem shows sympathy and pity towards her. The speaker says that even after Aunt Jennifer's death, she will be terrified of her husband and the ordeals of her marriage.
Q.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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. (2019
Sample Paper)
(i)
Name the poem and the poet of the above stanza.
Answer:
Poem-
Aunt Jennifer‟s Tiger, Poet- Adrienne Rich
(ii)
What lies in store for the Aunt?
Answer:
She would die as an oppressed and subdued woman. She would remain caught in the
ordeals of her marriage till her death.
(iii)
Explain “ringed with ordeals”.
Answer:
It means surrounded
by problems of her married life. The wedding ring symbolizes weight of her
marriage and ringed also means chained.
(iv)
Identify and name the poetic device used in the last line of the above stanza.
Answer:
“prancing,
proud”- alliteration.
Q.
Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,
Bright
topaz denizens of a world of green.
They
do not fear the men beneath the tree;
They
pace in sleek chivalric certainty. (2017
Delhi)
(a)
Why are the tigers called Aunt Jennifer’s tigers ?
Answer:
The tigers are called
‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ as these tigers are a creation of Aunt. She has
embroidered these tigers on a screen.
(b)
How are they described here ?
Answer:
Aunt’s tigers are described as fearless, strong and powerful.
(c)
How are they different from Aunt Jennifer ?
Answer:
The tigers are brave,
chivalric and confident unlike Aunt who is meek, timid and frightened.
(d)
What does the word, ‘chivalric’ mean ?
Answer:
‘Chivalric’ means to fearlessness, honour, bravery and majesty.
Q. 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. 2016,
Delhi, Comptt., SET I
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
Answer: The name of the poem is Aunt Jennifer’s
Tigers composed by Adrienne Rich.
(b) What was Aunt’s ordeal?
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by the ordeals of the heavy responsibilities
of her married life, towards the family and towards uncle. The poet used the
word ‘ringed’ to point that aunt was surrounded by the responsibilities which
encircled her like a ring that surrounds the finger.
(c) Why did she ‘make’ tigers?
Answer: Aunt Jennifer is a timid woman who
can’t stand against her tyrant husband. She bore all the suffering very meekly.
So she created tigers that represent her silent revolt against uncle’s marriage
bands and her sufferings.
(d) How were the tigers different from
her?
Answer: Aunt Jennifer was meek and submissive
whereas the tigers she embroidered were chivalric and liberated.
1. Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,
Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.
They do not
fear the men beneath the tree:
They pace
in sleek chivalric certainty
(a) How are
Aunt Jennifer’s tigers described?
Answer: Aunt’s
tigers are described as fearless, strong and powerful.
(b) Why are
they described as denizens of a world of green?
Answer: The
tigers are inhabitants of green forests so they are described as dwellers of a
world of green.
(c) Why are
not afraid of the men?
Answer: Their
courage and fearlessness gives them confidence due to which they are not afraid
of men.
2.
Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,
Bright
topaz denizens of a world of green.
They
do not fear the men beneath the tree:
They
pace in sleek chivalric certainty.
(a)
Why are the tigers called ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’?
Answer:
The tigers are called
‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ as these tigers are a creation of Aunt. She has
embroidered these tigers on a screen.
(b)
What does the phrase, ‘a world of green’ mean?
Answer:
The phrase, ’a world of
green’ means the green forest where tigers live.
(c)
How are tigers different from their creator?
Answer:
The tigers are brave,
chivalric and confident unlike their creator who is meek, timid and frightened.
(d)
Why are the tigers not afraid of the men beneath the trees?
Answer:
The tigers do not fear the
men beneath the trees because they are fearless creatures and are sure of their
power and the strength they possess.
3.
Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool
Find
even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The
massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band
Sits
heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand
(a) What is Aunt Jennifer doing with the wool?
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer was
embroidering a panel of prancing, sleek, chivalric tigers.
(b)
Why are her fingers fluttering?
Answer:
Her fingers are fluttering
because of her nervousness and timidity.
(c)
What does ‘wedding band’ mean?
Answer:
Here ‘wedding band’ is the
‘matrimony ring’ symbolic of burden and authority of her husband.
4.
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 was Aunt’s ordeal?
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by the ordeals of the
heavy responsibilities of her married life, towards the family and towards
uncle. The poet used the word ‘ringed’ to point that aunt was surrounded by the
responsibilities which encircled her like a ring that surrounds the finger.
(b)
Why did she ‘make’ tigers?
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer is a timid
woman who can’t stand against her tyrant husband. She bore all the suffering
very meekly. So she created tigers that represent her silent revolt against
uncle’s marriage bands and her sufferings.
(c)
How were the tigers different from her?
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer was meek and
submissive whereas the tigers she embroidered were chivalric and liberated.
Q.
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each:
Q.
What will happen when Aunt Jennifer is dead? (2018
Comptt. Delhi)
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer cannot get
rid of her fear even after her death. The terrified hands will be ringed with
ordeals she was mastered by and she is still dominated by the uncle in other
words the ‘male dominated society’.
Q.
What picture of male chauvinism (tyranny) do we find in the poem, ‘Aunt
Jennifer’s Tigers’? 2016, Outside Delhi,
SET I
Answer: Aunt Jennifer lived a life weighed
down by gender bias and subjugation to males. All the time she is in grip of
ordeals and terrors. They have crushed her and affected her married life. She
had to put up with all the bullying of her dominating husband. The hardships
and sufferings were the parts of her married life. She is a victim of male
chauvinism.
Q.
How has Aunt Jennifer created her tigers? What traits of tigers do they reveal?
2010, OUTSIDE DELHI, SET II
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer’s tigers are
her own creation. She has worked with wool and ivory needle. The tigers are the
symbols of bravery, fearlessness and strength. These creatures are not afraid
of the men around them.
1.
Describe the tigers created by Aunt Jennifer. 2009, DELHI, SET I
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer created
mighty tigers on a panel of wooden cloth. The tigers are heroic, self confident
and free animal, moving freely in the forest. They have bright yellow coat with
stripes. They are proud of their freedom and physical strength. They are not
scared by men standing under the tree.
2. Why
did Aunt Jennifer choose to embroider tigers on the panel? 2009, OUTSIDE DELHI,
SET I
Answer:
The timid and fearful Aunt
Jennifer creates an alternative world of free and fearless tigers to express
her longing for freedom, a medium of escape from her grim marriage. The
ironical contrast underscores a warning by the poet against acceptance of
subjugation by women as it crushes their dreams, individuality and a full life.
3. What
will happen to Aunt Jennifer’s tigers when she is dead? 2013, Delhi, SET I
Answer: Aunt Jennifer's tigers will survive. The tigers in the panel
that she made with her hands will still remain there. They will go on prancing,
proud and unafraid. She will die but her creations survive.
4.
What lies heavily on Aunt Jennifer’s hand? How is it associated with her
husband? 2013, Outside Delhi, SET I
Answer: The weight that lies heavy on Aunt
Jennifer’s hand is the wedding band, which symbolises the weight of her married
life. Probably, the weight has burdened her so much that she feels subjugated.
Aunt Jennifer had a troubled married life with a dominating and oppressive
husband.
5.
What are the difficulties that Aunt Jennifer faced in her life? 2014, Delhi, SET I
Answer: Aunt Jennifer spent her life in accordance
to the rules laid down by her husband. Her life was overburdened by the demands
and duties and lacked self-expression. She was feeble and had to face
oppression by her husband.
6. How
does Aunt Jennifer express her bitterness and anger against male dominance? 2014,
Delhi, Comptt., SET I
Answer: Aunt Jennifer is too terrified to openly
resist the oppression that she is victim of. She expresses her bitterness and anger
against male dominance silently through her art. She creates tigers on her
tapestry; animals that are symbolic of bravery, fearlessness and strength.
Besides, she portrays these tigers as creatures unafraid of the men around
them. The tigers she creates are wild and free from any kind of bondage.
7.
Aunt Jennifer’s efforts to get rid of her fear proved to be futile. Comment.
2016 Delhi SET I
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer cannot get
rid of her fear even after her death. The terrified hands will be ringed with ordeals
she was mastered by and she is still dominated by the uncle in other words the
‘male dominated society’.
8.
How are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers different from her? 2014, Outside Delhi, SET I
Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s tigers are proud, free, dauntless and sure
of themselves. Unlike them, Aunt Jennifer is terrified and oppressed by her
chauvinist husband. She lived her life under constant burden of duties and
responsibilities of a married lady. Living a life on her own terms is a
far-fetched, dream for her.
Thankyou very much sir.
ReplyDeleteThese extra questions are very helpful for us to understand the minute points in the poem.