-Adrienne Rich
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Summary:
"Aunt Jennifer's Tigers" by Adrienne Rich is a poem which describes the inner desire of the female section of the society to gain liberty from the clutches of an abusive society which is also patriarchal.
Stanza-1:(Aunt Jennifer's....chivalric certainty.)
In the 1st stanza,the poet is describing a lady whom she addresses as Aunt Jennifer.She says that Aunt Jennifer is doing embroidery on a screen.With her embroidery,she has designed beautiful tigers on the piece of screen she has got.These tigers are sprinting forward fearlessly in the forest with the green forest in the background.She has tried to describe their beauty by comparing them with a precious yellow stone called as Topaz.These tigers are said to be fearless beasts.However,here there is an irony.Although the tigers were not affected by the presence of humans,their creator was not like them.Aunt Jennifer was afraid of his husband.
Stanza-2(Aunt Jennifer's fingers....Aunt Jennifer Hand.)
In the 2nd stanza,the poet has described the fear of Aunt Jennifer towards her husband.She says while even doing embroidery,her fingers are quivering with the fear which is inspired by her husband.Her husband doesn't approve of her hobby of embroidery.Because of the abusive nature of her husband,she trembles every moment and it becomes difficult for her to glide her needle on the screen properly.Then,Aunt Jennifer describes her wedding ring given by her husband.The ring which could have easily become a material object to cherish forever has now been a piece of burden on her and her mental self.So many difficulties in her married life has now forced her to imagine the ring to be a heavy band.The wedding ring has become a bad omen for Aunt Jennifer in the form of bad experiences.
Stanza-3:(When aunt is dead....prancing,proud and unafraid.)
In the 3rd stanza,the poet says that one can easily sense aunt's intense will to get liberty which is also kind of reflected in her designs.The poet thinks that it is not possible for her aunt to achieve freedom in this lifetime.Even after death,her hands with the wedding ring on will remain as a proof how she was tortured and dominated by her husband.On the other hand,the tigers she embroidered will remain as an eternal depiction of her desire to live a fearless life.
Rhyme Scheme:
aa bb
Difficult Words:
i)Prance:Walk or move around with high springy steps.
ii)Topaz:A bright yellow coloured stone.
iii)Denizens:Animals who live in dens.
iv)Chivalric:An act of a gentleman.
v)Ordeals:Extremely severe tests or experiences.
vi)Fluttering:To move in quick,irregular motions as if being agitated.
About Author:
Adrienne Cecile Rich was an American poet and feminist.She has been widely credited with bringing "the oppression of women and lesbians to the forefront of poetic disclosure".Born on May 16,1929 in Baltimore,she is one of the trailblazers of the feminist movements across the world.
Literary Devices:
i)Anaphora:Use of same word in two consecutive lines( they don't.....they pace in.)
ii)Metaphor:Use of topaz to describe the yellow colour of the tigers.
iii)Alliteration:'f' sound is repeated in finger fluttering.
NCERT Questions:
A)Think it Out.
1)The word 'denizens' means that these beasts live in dens and are proud of their home.Tbey feel safe,in their house,there is also a sense of belonging attached to it.
The word 'chivalric' is used to show that they have a majestic and worthy position like knights.
2)Aunt Jennifer's hands were trembling because she is very much apprehensive of her husband who could come anytime and reprimand her for sitting idle and wasting her time on embroidery which is unnecessary. While Jennifer had always cherished doing embroidery,her husband thought it to be of no use and absurd.Due to all the difficulties in her life,she is burdened and finds it even difficult to even pull the needle.
3)"Massive weight of Uncle's wedding band" suggests that this marriage has become extremely bad for her because of her abusive husband.The bond which was supposed to be full of love and to be cherished forever have become a relationship which has only given her stress and burden.
4)In the 3rd stanza,she is terrified of her husband who has abused her a lot.
5)Because of her husband,Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by various ordeals.Some of these are:obeying her husband's orders,fear of men and giving in to his dominance and commands.In the poem,"Ringed" means an entrapment.As a ring encircles a finger,her husband has completely encircled her life with all sorts of difficulties which has not only trapped her body but also her soul.She has kept struggling for freedom and fearlessness.
6)Aunt Jennifer hobby was to do embroidery.Aunt Jennifer's intense desire for freedom and fearlessness from her partner came out through her creativity.The probable reason for Aunt's embroidering animals different from her character is that she is not actually what she is portrayed as.Her circumstances have made her like a timid cat but she also has an intense will to live life with respect and pride.
7)There are various symbols in the poem:
•'Denizens of a world of green' refers to inhabitants of the forest.
•'Massive Weight of Uncle's Wedding band' refers to all the burdens she has been lifting because of her marital obligations.
•'Sits heavily upon Aunt' means has laid stress upon her.
•'Ringed with ordeals' means to get entrapped in hardships and sufferings.
8)Yes,I symphatize with Aunt Jennifer.The speaker is also sympathetic towards her and by tones,it is evident she despises dominating men.
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