Updated on 06/06/2026
Poem-5 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers (Adrienne Rich)
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.
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.
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.
5. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers (Adrienne Rich)
Very Short Type Q-Ans.
1. Who is the poet of the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers?
Ans. Adrienne Rich
2. Where has Aunt Jennifer created the tigers?
Ans. On the panel of a screen (using wool and ivory needles).
3. What are the tigers not afraid of?
Ans. They are not afraid of the men beneath the tree.
4. How does Aunt Jennifer seem to be?
Ans. Weak and old
5. What sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand?
Ans. The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band.
6. What does the "wedding band" symbolize in the poem?
Ans. It symbolizes the harsh ordeals, bonding, and restrictions of her unhappy married life.
7. How do the tigers look and move?
Ans. They look like bright "topaz denizens" and move with proud, chivalric certainty.
8. How do the tigers look?
Ans. Proud and fearless
9. How will her hands appear after her death?
Ans. terrified
10. Why are Aunt Jennifer's fingers fluttering through her wool?
Ans. Because she is physically weak, terrified, and traumatized by the oppressive weight of her married life.
11. How will Aunt Jennifer's hands appear after her death?
Ans. Her hands will appear "terrified," still ringed with the ordeals that mastered her life.
12. What is the contrast (irony) between Aunt Jennifer and her tigers?
Ans. Aunt Jennifer is weak, suppressed, and terrified, whereas her created tigers are bold, free, and fearless.
13. Will the tigers change after Aunt Jennifer's death?
Ans. No, the tigers on the panel will go on prancing, proud and unafraid, surviving long after her death.
Textual Questions
1. How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tigers’ attitudes?
Ans. The denizens of the world of green–tell us that the tigers are the inhabitants of forests. They live in forests and walk freely. Chivalric means the majestic and worthy position. They are known for their strength and fearlessness.
2. What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight’s wedding band’?
Ans. The poet uses many images and symbols to describe the unpleasant experience of Aunt Jennifer's married life. The massive weight of 'Uncle's wedding band' is a symbol of harsh and bitter experiences of her married life.
3. Where are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers and how does she create them?
Ans. Aunt Jennifer's tigers were created on the panel. They appeared to be prancing (jumping) across a screen. They are powerful, free and fearless. The tigers are not afraid of the men.
Long Answer
1. Write a brief summary of the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers.
Ans. In the poem a woman expresses her deep feelings through her art. She (Aunt Jennifer) is prey of male dominant society. There is no one with whom she can share her physical pain. So she makes a picture to describe her deep feelings. She created the tigers on a panel. The tigers are free and fearless. On the other hand, Aunt Jennifer is in the grip of ordeals which have crushed her life.
Important Spellings
Adrienne
marriage
torture
strength
denizens
beneath
certainty
fluttering
ivory
Wedding
Word-meanings
prance - jump
fluttering - trembling
topaz - a gem
massive - heavy
denizens - residents, citizens
ordeals - difficult task
pace - walk
chivalric - brave, courteous