Aunt Jennifer's Tigers

AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS
-BY ADRIENNE RICH
THEME OF THE POEM
This poem reflects condition of the women ,who are the victims of
oppression at the hands of the patriarchal system. It highlights the struggles
and conflicts a woman, who has to go through in male chauvinistic society.
It symbolises the growing number of women in the world being oppressed,
marginalised and beleaguered.
Stanza-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”.
Explanation:
a) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers jump from the panel.
b) They are bright yellow in colour like the precious stone in the jewel. They are the
dwellers in the forest region
c) They are not afraid of the men under the tree
d) They move in an elegant manner very brave ,bold and courageously with
confidence
Stanza-2
“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”.
Explanation:
a) This stanza is a contrast of the tigers created by Aunt Jennifer
b) Here aunt is described as the protagonist , is symbolic of women all over the world, who are the
victims of oppression at the hands of the patriarchal system.
c) The Aunt appears to be creating beautiful images of the tigers by using wool.
d) Her fingers are shivering when she tries to pull the ivory needle which is very light because she is
subdued and suppressed and dominated by her husband .She is afraid that her husband may scream
at her for knitting without his permission
e) So the Uncle’s wedding band seems heavy on her hand.
f) It shows that the marital bond of Aunt becomes burden on her. She feels so subjugated it reflects the
marital constraints of a women. She wants to convey that a woman throughout her lifetime wants to
glorify ‘the tiger’ i.e., her husband.
g) This is the reality of Aunt Jennifer’s life.
Stanza-3
“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.”
EXPLANATION
a) The poet reveals the sad truth that even after aunt’s death her terrified hands are surrounded
or confined with the unpleasant or painful experiences that she was controlled by her
husband .
b) Her soul is waiting for the instructions from her husband to leave the body and move freely
like the tigers. This reflects the oppression that she was subjected to.
c) However, the tigers in the panel created by her are eternal and they move into the forest with
pride and unafraid and enjoy their freedom.
POETIC DEVICES
Imagery – Tigers, topaz, ring
Metaphor – Tigers, world of green
Alliteration- Prancing proud, chivalric certainty, fingers fluttering
Pun - Ringed
Irony - Weak submissive women knitting the tigers on the tapestry
KEY WORDS
• SUBMISSIVE
• SUBDUED
• DOMINATED
• MALE CHAUVINISM
Message the poet wants to convey- The poet has tried to depict the theme of
male chauvinism where a woman has no liberty, not even self- expression.
The poem emphasizes the value of freedom and brings out the message that
women need to be respected and should have liberty to live their life
according to their own desires.
Words Meaning
Prance (verb) Jump, move with springy steps
Bright Shining, glowing, rich, highly coloured
Topaz Yellow quartz, a gem stone, bright yellow colour
Denizens Dwellers, inhabitants , resides
World of green Forest
Beneath Under
Pace Step, footsteps, walk , speed or tempo of the

motion
Sleek Graceful, smooth in manner, elegant

Words Meaning
Chivalric Jump, move with springy steps
Certainty Confident
Fluttering Shivering , shaking , trembling with fear
Ivory needle Tusk of elephant which is very light in weight
Massive Heavy
Wedding band Wedding ring , a symbol of devotion and an
agreement between two parties to love and
cherish one another for the rest of their days.
Pace Step, footsteps, walk , speed or tempo of the

motion
Sleek Graceful, smooth in manner, elegant

Words Meaning
Ordeals Difficulties, painful, unpleasant experiences,
bitter
Ringed Encircled with, surrounded by
Mastered Dominated, controlled
Panel Board
Proud Highly confident, happy
Prancing Moving with freedom

Read the given extract and answer the following:
“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”.
1. Name the poem and the poet.

2. Are the tigers real ? Give reasons.
3. Why are the tigers not afraid of the men
4. Explain ’chivalric certainty’.
5. Mention the qualities of the tiger created by Aunt Jennifer.
6. What is the poetic device used in the second line and the last line ?
7. Describe the qualities of the tigers mentioned in the poem
8. Why did Aunt Jennifer compare herself with the tiger?
9. What do you understand by the words ’topaz’, denizens, sleek , prance
Thank You !

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AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS

-BY ADRIENNE RICH

THEME OF THE POEM

“Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,

“When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie

Bright Shining, glowing, rich, highly coloured

Topaz Yellow quartz, a gem stone, bright yellow colour

Denizens Dwellers, inhabitants , resides

World of green Forest

Pace Step, footsteps, walk , speed or tempo of the

Sleek Graceful, smooth in manner, elegant

Ivory needle Tusk of elephant which is very light in weight

Pace Step, footsteps, walk , speed or tempo of the

Sleek Graceful, smooth in manner, elegant

Mastered Dominated, controlled

Proud Highly confident, happy

Prancing Moving with freedom

“Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,

1. Name the poem and the poet.

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