CBSE Class 12 English Aunt's Jeniffer Tigers Notes Set 03

Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers by Adrienne Rich [1929]

MIND MAP – THEME OF THE POEM

• Marriage and Male domination: At the heart of the poem is an image of a husband who controls and frightens his wife. Aunt Jennifer's domestic life is portrayed as oppressive, symbolized by her heavy, burdensome wedding ring and the weight of societal expectations.
• Feminine Subordination: The poem explores the theme of women’s subordination within marriage and society, as Aunt Jennifer’s hands are described as “fluttering” under the weight of her husband’s dominance.
• Artistic Expression-Escape and Freedom: The act of creating the tigers allows Aunt Jennifer a form of self-expression and agency that she lacks in her married life. The tigers Aunt Jennifer creates in her tapestry represent her desire for escape from her stifling marriage and the constraints of traditional gender roles.
• Imagination and Legacy: Even though she may feel trapped in her marriage, her imagination allows her to create something beautiful and enduring. Aunt Jennifer’s artwork, the tigers she creates, will last beyond her lifetime. It’s something she leaves behind for others to see and remember her by.

Distinguishing traits of a Tiger: Courageous, Confident, Passionate, Rebellious, Fiery, Impulsive, Magnetic, Sensitive, Emotional and Romantic.

Vocabulary

• Aunt Jennifer's tigers prance across a screen: Prance – to move quickly with exaggerated steps across a screen; A work of embroidery.
• Bright topaz denizens of a world of green: Bright Topaz – fiery; Denizens – inhabitants; A world of green – in the forest.
• They do not fear the men beneath the tree: Tiger - very courageous; They do not fear - Attacks man without fear with immediate response; Men - hunters/killing for passion; Tiger’s action - attacking to defend.
• Aunt Jennifer's fingers fluttering through her wool: Fluttering – moving lightly and quickly; Through her wool – This image suggests the oppression of the woman.
• The massive weight of Uncle's wedding band: An image of husband’s dominance over her.
• Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer's hand: Aunt Jennifer’s married life was miserable; Wedding ring symbolizes oppression.
• When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie: The social environment will remain unaffected with her death.
• Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by: Ordeals – difficult and unpleasant experience; The sacred bond of marriage.

Poetic Devices

• Bright topaz: Metaphor
• Fingers Fluttering: Alliteration
• Ivory needle: Metaphor
• Weight of Uncle’s wedding band: Alliteration
• Her terrified hands: Synecdoche
• Her terrified hands: Alliteration

Gist of the poem

• Aunt Jennifer’s tigers jump and prance across the screen.
• They look bright like shining yellow Topaz.
• They do not fear the men under the tree.
• They pace in a dignified manner.
• Aunt Jennifer finds it difficult to pull her ivory needle smoothly.
• The heavy weight of the marriage band makes her feel depressed.
• Her terrified hands will reveal all the ordeals through which she had to pass during her lifetime.
• Even after her death, the Tigers on the panel will remain proud and fearless, which symbolizes her internal longing to be proud and fearless.

Extract Based Questions

QI. 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 prance in sleek chivalric certainty.

(i) Who does 'denizens of a world of green' refer to?
(a) non-residents of the forests
(b) environmentalists
(c) inhabitants of the forests
(d) flora and plants
Answer: (c) inhabitants of the forests

(ii) What poetic device has been used in "bright topaz denizens"?
Answer: Metaphor

(iii) Complete the sentence by choosing the most appropriate option. The men beneath the tree refer to ________
(a) travellers
(b) tribal people
(c) forest dwellers
(d) Tiger hunters
Answer: (d) Tiger hunters

(iv) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers in the panel is a reflection of the qualities of the tiger she admires who do not fear men beneath the tree.
Answer: True

(v) Identify two words that show the two opposite movement of the tigers?
Answer: Prance & sleek

(vi) How does the poet emphasise the phrase "sleek chivalric certainty" suggested in the tigers in the poem?
Answer: The poet emphasises the confidence of the tiger in facing men with graceful movements, not in panic or fear.

Q2. 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.

(i) How does the author use evidence in the passage to highlight Aunt Jennifer's struggle?
(a) By describing her fingers as fluttering through the wool
(b) By mentioning the ivory needle she finds hard to pull
(c) By referencing the weight of Uncle's wedding band on her hand
(d) By contrasting Aunt Jennifer's actions with Uncle's possessions.
Answer: (b) By mentioning the ivory needle she finds hard to pull

(ii) In the context of the passage, what is the effect of describing the needle as "ivory"?
Answer: It emphasizes the delicacy and elegance of the needle, highlighting how even such a light object becomes heavy for Aunt Jennifer.

(iii) Complete the statement by choosing one of the right options given below: The wedding band, here, symbolizes ________
(a) Aunt Jennifer's wealth and status in society
(b) Aunt Jennifer's commitment to her marriage
(c) Uncle's dominance and control over Aunt Jennifer
(d) Aunt Jennifer's desire for precious jewellery
Answer: (c) Uncle's dominance and control over Aunt Jennifer

(iv) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE. The emotional state of Aunt Jennifer is not a struggle with a difficult task after her marriage but a peaceful life with embroidery work.
Answer: False

(v) What is the significance of the word "fluttering" in the line "Aunt Jennifer's fingers fluttering through her wool"?
(a) It suggests Aunt Jennifer's hands are strong and capable.
(b) It indicates Aunt Jennifer's hands are trembling or weak.
(c) It symbolizes Aunt Jennifer's joy and excitement.
(d) It represents Aunt Jennifer's determination and resolve.
Answer: (b) It indicates Aunt Jennifer's hands are trembling or weak.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Q3. 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.

(i) How does the author use evidence in the passage to portray Aunt's hands after her death?
Answer: They will exhibit signs of hardship she overcame, remaining "ringed with ordeals."

(ii) Complete the sentence by choosing the right option given below: The author's choice of words in describing the tigers contribute to the overall tone of the passage ________.
(a) It adds a sense of calm and tranquillity.
(b) It creates a feeling of unease and danger.
(c) It signifies power and strength.
(d) It reflects sorrow and grief.
Answer: (c) It signifies power and strength.

(iii) State TRUE or FALSE. In the context of the passage, the phrase "ordeals she was mastered by" most likely refers to the Challenges she faced and yet to be conquered.
Answer: False

(iv) Identify the figure of speech in 'terrified hands'.
(a) Hyperbole
(b) Transferred epithet
(c) Imagery
(d) Synecdoche
Answer: (b) Transferred epithet

Q4. Read the following extract and answer the questions. (Unsolved)
Aunt Jennifer's finger 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.

(i) How would you describe Aunt Jennifer based on the above extract?
(a) oppressed
(b) malnourished
(c) aging
(d) diseased
Answer: (a) oppressed

(ii) Uncle’s wedding band sits heavily on Aunt Jennifer’s hand because:
(a) it is an expensive and heavy ring.
(b) she was married against her will.
(c) she feels burdened in her marriage.
(d) their relationship is lacking in love.
Answer: (c) she feels burdened in her marriage.

(iii) Which of the following is an example of alliteration?
(a) finger fluttering through the wool
(b) upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand
(c) ivory needle hard to pull
(d) massive weight of Uncle's wedding band
Answer: (a) finger fluttering through the wool

Short Answer Questions

Q1. What does Aunt Jennifer mean when her life is ringed with ordeals?
Answer: The word "ringed ordeals" refers to a vicious grip of her unhappy married life which she is finding it difficult to come out of the clutches of. It suggests she is surrounded and controlled by these painful experiences.

Q2. How does the poet portray the legacy of Aunt through the imagery of the tigers in the panel?
Answer: The poet portrays the legacy of Aunt as powerful and enduring through the imagery of the tigers in the panel. Unlike Aunt Jennifer, the tigers will remain "proud and unafraid" forever, representing her immortal desire for freedom.

Long Answer Questions 

Q1. Why has Aunt Jennifer created animals that are so different from her own character? What might the poet be suggesting through this difference?
Answer: Aunt Jennifer has created animals different from her own character to bring out the contrast between her reality and her aspirations. The poetess wants to suggest the struggles and dreams of the human spirit. The tigers represent her dreams of escaping from the terrifying power of her husband. While Aunt Jennifer is oppressed and weak, she produces the very image of what she lacks: courage and freedom. Her art is presented as positive, buoyant, and triumphant. It is trans-historical, meaning that while she will perish, her tigers will "go on prancing, proud and unafraid" presumably forever. Her innermost desire for freedom from oppression finds expression in her art, which serves as the medium through which she gives an outlet to her deepest, suppressed desires.