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Aunt Jennifer's Tigers RTC
Aunt Jennifer's Tigers RTC
e) How do the words, ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of Aunt Jennifer’s tigers?
‘Denizens’ means that the tigers inhabit a green world where they are free from any restrictions.
‘Chivalric’ means that they are brave and courageous.
d) Why has Aunt Jennifer created the tigers so different from her own character?
The tigers created by Aunt Jennifer are an expression of her desire to free herself from the
constraints of her married life. She aspires to be bold and fearless like her tigers.
Aunt Jennifer’s efforts to get rid of her fear proved to be futile. Comment.
Although Aunt Jennifer tried her best to conquer her fear, she continued to be traumatised and
oppressed by her husband. Her act of embroidering fearless tigers, prancing across the screen could
only give her a temporary release to her pent-up feelings of liberation.
Why does Aunt Jennifer create animals that are so different from her own character?
In creating animals that are different from her own character, Aunt Jennifer found a means of living
an alternate life that is denied to her, a life that is proud, free and fearless.
Through this difference, the poet suggests Aunt Jennifer’s suppressed desire to become bold and
fearless, and free from oppression.
What are the difficulties that Aunt Jennifer faced in her life?
Aunt Jennifer was probably a victim of oppression at the hands of the patriarchal society. She was
subjugated by her husband and was not free to do what she wished. She was in no position to end
her relationship and liberate herself from her unhappy marriage.
How does Aunt Jennifer express her bitterness and anger against male dominance?
Aunt Jennifer expresses her bitterness and anger against male dominance silently through her art.
She creates tigers on her tapestry; animals that are unafraid of men and are symbolic of bravery,
fearlessness and strength.
Why has Aunt Jennifer made ‘prancing proud and unafraid’ tigers?
Aunt Jennifer lived a fearful and restricted life. She expressed her desire of being free, unafraid and
proud by knitting tigers that were ‘prancing, proud and unafraid’.
What do the symbols, ‘tigers’, ‘fingers’ and ‘ring’ stand for in the poem, ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’?
The ‘tigers’ are symbols of bravery and courage and also of Aunt Jennifer’s desire for freedom. The
‘fingers’ are symbol of fear experienced by Aunt Jennifer and ‘ring’ symbolises an oppressive and
binding marriage.