AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS by Adrienne Rich:C B C E / CLASS12

 

Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,  

                     Bright topaz denizens of world of green.

                    They do not fear the men beneath the tree;

                   They pace in  sleek chivalric certainty. 

 

      Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool

                   Find even the ivory needle hard pull.

                  The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band; 

                  Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.

 

When Aunt is dead,her terrified handswill lie

                 Still ringed with ordeals she was masteredby.

                  The tigers in the panel that she made

                   Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.

 

VOCABULRY

 

WORDS	MEANINGS		WORDS	MEANINGS
Prance	Jump		Massive	Heavy
Screen	The wall or the surface of the tapestry		Wedding band	wedding pact, signifying martial duties
Topaz	A bright yellow precious stone		Ringed	Confident of tied up
Denizens	Inhabitants		Ordeals	Unpleasant or painful experiences
Chivalric	Brave		Mastered	Controlled
Certainty	Confidence		Panel	Flat board
Fluttering	Moving		Sleek	Smooth

        SUMMARY

TITLE

MESSAGE

THEME

CENTRAL IDEA

QUESTIONS

1.    What will happen when Aunt Jennifer is dead?

2.    Is Aunt Jennifer different from her tiger? How?

3.    Describe the tiger .

4.    Mention the difficulties in the life of Aunt Jennifer?

5.    Why did Aunt choose to create a tiger on the panel?

6.    Justify the title of the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger?

7.    What is the attitude of the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer?

8.    Interpret the symbol found in this poem.

9.    . What are the ‘ordeals’ Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by, why is it significant that the poet uses the word ‘ringed’? What is the meaning of the word ‘ringed’ in the poem.

10.  How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to understanding of the tiger’s attitude?

11.  Of what or whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified with the third stanza?

12.  . What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’?

13.  . 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?

14.  Do you Sympathize with Aunt Jennifer. What is the attitude of the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer?

15.  Aunt Jennifer expressed her discontent against male dominance. How?