Updated on 27/12/2021
Poem 6. 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.
6. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers (Adrienne Rich)
Very
Short Type Q-Ans.
1. Who is the
poetess of the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers?
Ans. Adrienne Rich
2. Where has
Aunt Jennifer created tigers?
Ans. On a strip of woolen cloth/on the panel of a
screen
3. What are the
tigers not afraid of?
Ans. The men beneath the tree
4. How does
Aunt Jennifer seem to be?
Ans. Weak and old
5. What sits
heavy on Aunt Jennifer’s hand?
Ans. Uncle’ wedding band
6. How do the
tigers look?
Ans. Proud and fearless
7. How will her
hands appear after her death?
Ans. terrified
6. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers (Adrienne Rich)
Short Type Q-Ans.
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. Massive weight of 'Uncles 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 brief summary of the poem
‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers.
Ans. In the poem a woman expresses her deep feeling 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’s is in the grip of ordeals which have crushed her life.
Important Spellings & word-meanings
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