CBSE Class 12 English HOTs Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Set 02

Question. How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitudes?
Answer: ‘Denizens’ means occupants of a particular place and ‘chivalric’ points to honour, bravery and fearlessness. These words characterise the tigers created by Aunt Jennifer. The tigers occupy their territory after much struggle and are very possessive about it. They live on their own terms and fear none, as they regard themselves to be superior in their domain.
These words choices underscore the tigers’ confidence and comfort in their environment, mirroring Aunt Jennifer’s desire for a similar sense of ownership in her life.

Question. Why do you think Aunt Jennifer’s hands are ‘fluttering through her wool’ in the second stanza? Why is she finding the needle so hard to pull?
Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s hands and fingers are fluttering and she is finding the needle hard to pull because she feels afraid. She is so traumatised by the ordeals of her marital life and a male dominated society that she cannot even use the light-weight needle properly.

Question. What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’?
Answer: The image of the ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’ in the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ suggests several things:
Symbol of Oppression: The wedding band symbolises Aunt Jennifer’s oppressive marriage. Its ‘massive weight’ conveys that her marital obligations and the expectations of her role as a wife are burdensome and suffocating.
Power Imbalance: The description of the wedding band as ‘massive’ implies a power imbalance within the marriage. It suggests that Uncle may have had a dominant or controlling role.
Emotional Burden: The ‘massive weight’ of the wedding band is a metaphor for the emotional burden that Aunt Jennifer carries due to her marriage.
Lack of Autonomy: The weight of the wedding band implies a lack of autonomy and personal freedom. Aunt Jennifer may feel trapped and weighed down by her marital obligations.
In sum, the image of the ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’ highlights the poem’s theme: the suffocating and constraining nature of Aunt Jennifer’s marriage and the societal expectations she grapples with.

Question. Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified with in the third stanza?
Answer: Aunt Jennifer is terrified of her husband or the male dominated society, who/which dominates her in her married life.

Question. What are the ‘ordeals’ Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by, why is it significant that the poet uses the word ‘ringed’? What are the meanings of the word ‘ringed’ in the poem?
Answer: The word ‘ordeals’ in the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ refers to the challenges, difficulties, and hardships that Aunt Jennifer faced throughout her life, particularly in the context of her marriage and societal expectations.
The poet’s use of the word ‘ringed’ is significant for several reasons:
Symbol of Confinement: ‘Ringed’ implies that Aunt Jennifer was surrounded and confined by these ordeals. It suggests that she was encircled by the difficulties, unable to escape them.
Symbol of Entrapment: ‘Ringed’ also conveys a sense of entrapment or being engaged, which aligns with the theme of Aunt Jennifer’s constrained existence.
Repetition of the Wedding Band: The word ‘ringed’ also serves as a subtle play on words, linking to the ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’ mentioned earlier in the poem. The repetition of the ring imagery reinforces the idea of the burden and oppression associated with her marital obligations.
In essence, the word ‘ringed’ highlights the theme of confinement, oppression and the emotional burdens that Aunt Jennifer endured.

Question. Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals that are so different from her own character? What might the poet be suggesting, through this difference? Or For Aunt Jennifer, what do the tigers symbolise?
Answer: Aunt Jennifer created tigers, which are a symbol of strength, fearlessness and confidence. These are the qualities that Aunt Jennifer lacks in her own self. These tigers represent Aunt Jennifer’s suppressed desires to become bold and fearless, and free from oppression.
The poet uses this contrast to convey several possible suggestions:
Desire for Freedom: Aunt Jennifer’s creation of fearless and majestic tigers may symbolise her inner longing for freedom and independence.
Artistic Liberation: Through her art, Aunt Jennifer can express aspects of herself that she might find difficult to manifest in her everyday life.
Sublimation of Desires: The tigers in her art can be seen as a way for Aunt Jennifer to sublimate (control) her desires for strength and autonomy.
Legacy of Independence: The poet may also suggest that one can leave a lasting legacy of strength and courage despite adversity and constraint. The tiger’s unafraid and proud demeanour in her art outlives her.
To conclude, the poet may be using the difference between Aunt Jennifer and her artistic creations to illustrate the power of art to express suppressed desires and seek personal liberation.

Question. Interpret the symbols found in this poem.
Answer: There are many symbols found in the poem. Tigers are a symbol of strength and fearlessness. They are also symbolic of Aunt Jennifer’s inner desire to be free from oppression. ‘Ring’ is another symbol which represents bondage. ‘Wedding band’ is a symbol of oppression. ‘Aunt Jennifer’ herself is a symbol of all women who are victimised.

Question. Do you sympathise with Aunt Jennifer? What is the attitude of the poet towards Aunt Jennifer?
Answer: Yes, we sympathise with Aunt Jennifer. She represents those women who are victimised by the male dominated society. She feels oppressed as the rules of society do not allow her to express herself freely. The poet herself is very critical of the treatment given to Aunt Jennifer. So, she wants women to fight for their rights rather than being silent victims of oppression.

Extract Based Questions

“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.”

Question. How are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers described?
Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s tigers have been described as bold, proud and self assured beings.

Question. Why are they described as denizens of a world of green?
(a) Because they eat the herbibores
(b) Because they are green in colour
(c) Because they live in dense green forests
(d) Because they are bright and beautiful
Answer: (c) Because they live in dense green forests

Question. Fill in the blanks appropriately.
The tigers are not afraid of men because ..........
Answer: they are bold, fearless and symbol of strength

Question. Complete the following analogy correctly.
Assonance : Men beneath the tree :: Rhyme scheme: ..........
Answer: aabb

Question. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to (1) and (2) given below.
(1) Aunt Jennifer is painting her tigers.
(2) Aunt Jennifer’s creations reflect her deepest desires.
(a) (1) is true but (2) is false
(b) (2) is true but (1) is false
(c) (2) is the reason for (1)
(d) Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.
Answer: (b) (2) is true but (1) is false

Question. Identify the phrase from the extract that suggests the following.
They are yellow coloured inhabitants of forests.
Answer: Bright topaz denizens of a world of green

“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 fluttered through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of the uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.”

Question. Denizens of the world of green refer to
(a) huntsmen
(b) Aunt Jennifer
(c) uncle
(d) tigers
Answer: (d) tigers

Question. Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in the second line of the extract.
(a) Heart of stone
(b) Trees sprouting
(c) Silver spoon
(d) White murder
Answer: (c) Silver spoon

Question. The men sitting beneath the tree are ..........
Answer: huntsmen

Question. What quality of uncle can be inferred through these lines?
(a) Compassionate nature
(b) Courageous
(c) Confident
(d) Dominating
Answer: (d) Dominating

Question. The tigers in the extract are symbolic of
(a) creativity and courage
(b) confidence and gentleness
(c) cruelty and fear
(d) aggression and starving
Answer: (a) creativity and courage

Question. Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across
(1) the screen (2) the fields
(3) the embroidered tunic (4) the cage
Which of the following is the most appropriate choice?
(a) (1) and (2)
(b) (2) and (4)
(c) (1), (2) and (3)
(d) (1) and (3)
Answer: (d) (1) and (3)

“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.”

Question. Which of the following themes is best represented in the given extract?
(a) The maturity of adulthood
(b) The glory of femininity
(c) Victim of male domination
(d) The superficial beauty
Answer: (c) Victim of male domination

Question. State whether the following statement is True or False, with reference to the extract.
Aunt Jennifer is nervous and traumatised because of the constraints of her marriage.
Answer: True

Question. Complete the following sentence appropriately.
The fingers fluttering through her wool symbolise ..........
Answer: her oppressed mental condition

Question. The use of the words ‘massive weight’ creates a powerful image of ..........
Answer: burden

Question. Based on the rhyme scheme in lines 3 and 4, which words would rhyme with ‘band’ and ‘hand’?
(a) Stand
(b) Wind
(c) Bent
(d) Tent
Answer: (a) Stand

Question. The heavy wedding ring is a source of
(a) joy
(b) freedom
(c) dignity
(d) burden
Answer: (d) burden

“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 Tiger in the panel that she made
will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.”

Question. ‘Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.’ Through the above expression the poet indicates
(a) Aunt Jennifer is happily married.
(b) Aunt Jennifer loves the tigers in the panel.
(c) Aunt Jennifer’s unhappy married life.
(d) Aunt Jennifer’s rich and luxurious life.
Answer: (c) Aunt Jennifer’s unhappy married life.

Question. Select the option that has the same literary device as used in ‘Still ringed with ordeals’.
(a) Leopards cannot hide in the jungle as they are spotted.
(b) Sun smiled happily on us.
(c) Her lovely voice was music to his ears.
(d) Life is like a box of chocolates.
Answer: (c) Her lovely voice was music to his ears.

Question. Complete the following sentences with reference to the extract.
The tigers in the panel symbolise ..........
Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s desire to be free and fearless.

Question. State whether the statement given below is True or False.
“Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.”
The above expression suggests that Aunt Jennifer is dying.
Answer: False, the expression means that Aunt Jennifer was subdued and suppressed in her marriage.

Question. Based on the rhyme scheme, evident in lines 1-2, which word would rhyme with line 1?
(a) Full
(b) Sand
(c) Bye
Answer: (a) Full

Question. The use of the word ‘fluttering fingers’ in the extract suggest that the fingers of Aunt Jennifer are trembling. This creates an image of ..........
Answer: fear and being oppressed

“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.”

Question. Read the statement given below.
Aunt Jennifer’s plight is best explained by her hands, they hold both her freedom and the instrument of her imprisonment.
How would you explain the above statement, as per the extract?
Answer: Aunt Jennifer knits her desires but is overpowered by the wedding ring she wears.

Question. Which of the following cannot be inferred from the extract?
(a) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers will keep her alive in everyone’s memory.
(b) Aunt Jennifer feels oppressed and constricted in her marriage.
(c) Even in death, Aunt Jennifer cannot escape patriarchal subjugation.
(d) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance as a lasting symbol of her desires.
Answer: (a) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers will keep her alive in everyone’s memory.

Question. Answer appropriately.
The theme associated with the extract is ..........
Answer: ‘With Art Lives the Artist’

Question. Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.
The word .......... (shuffling/strutting) does not reflect the movement implied by ‘prancing’.
Answer: shuffling

Question. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
(1) Aunt Jennifer would not be free even after her death.
(2) Aunt Jennifer’s desire of freedom would live through her art.
(a) (1) can be inferred from the extract but (2) cannot
(b) (2) can be inferred from the extract but (1) cannot
(c) Both (1) and (2) can be inferred from the extract
(d) (2) is the reason for (1) and can be inferred from the extract
Answer: (c) Both (1) and (2) can be inferred from the extract

Question. What makes the tigers proud and unafraid?
Answer: The tigers are proud and unafraid because of their own self assured and fierce nature.