12th std Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers by Adrienne Rich

 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers by Adrienne Rich- EXTRA QUESTIONS

QUESTION & ANSWERS

1. What kind of married life did aunt Jennifer lead?

1 Answer. Aunt Jennifer was confined to live inside her husband's house and was not free to do what she wished. She was burdened with her marital responsibilities and led a traumatic married life.

2. What is the irony in the poem aunt Jennifer's tigers?

Answer: It is ironic that even death would not liberate Aunt Jennifer from the oppression that she faced. Her fingers remained 'ringed' with the uncle's wedding band. But the tigers that she made would always remain fearless and bold.

3. What are the symbols used in Aunt Jennifer's tigers?

The tigers in the poem symbolise bravery and freedom. They also reflect Aunt Jennifer's innermost desire to be fearless and break free from her husband's oppression. The trembling fingers symbolise Aunt Jennifer's plight under the tyranny of her husband.

4. What silence does Aunt Jennifer's Tigers break?

Ans 1. The women are silenced in the male- dominated society, this topic is silently addressed in Aunt Jennifer's Tiger. In this poem, the poet has explored the mechanisms of the 'male domination' and 'patriarchy' that exists in the society.

5. Why are the tigers called aunt Jennifer's tigers?

The tigers are called Aunt Jennifer's tigers because they have been created by her, she has embroidered a panel of prancing tigers.

6. What is the main theme of the poem aunt Jennifer's tigers?

The theme of the poem “Aunt Jennifer's Tiger” relates to the issue and subject of make dominance in society. The theme wants to highlight the conflicts, issues and struggles that a woman has to face in the male chauvinistic society.

7. What do the tigers symbolise?

Tigers stand for strength, power, courage, and ambition. The animal represents a symbolic release of fears and standing for truth, justice, and integrity.

8. What is the meaning of ivory needle?

The ivory needle is the tool that she uses to express herself through embroidery. 

9. How has Mrs Jennifer failed in her aim?

Mrs. Jennifer could not fulfill her inner desire to be free and prancing like the tiger in her piece of art. Throughout life, she remained mastered by her husband, and the fear and exploitation that she received from her marriage only added to her pains. Thus, her desire remained unfulfilled and she failed in her aim.

10. Which figure of speech is used in Aunt Jennifer's Tiger?

Personification – type of figurative language where non-human beings are described as having human characteristics. For example: tigers are being given qualities like pride, confidence, and unafraid of humans/men.

11. What is aunt Jennifer's death symbolic of?

The aunt's death is symbolic of her complete surrender to her suppression.

12. Why is Aunt Jennifer ringed with ordeals?

The ordeals Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by are those which she had to go through because of the dominant nature of her husband. Those are the unpleasant experiences she had where her freedom was taken away.

13. How does aunt Jennifer express her bitterness?

She expresses her bitterness and anger against male dominance silently through her art. She creates tigers on her tapestry; animals that are symbolic of bravery, fearlessness and strength. The tigers she creates are wild and free from any kind of bondage.

14. What was aunt mastered by?

For example, Aunt Jennifer is "mastered by" her ordeals. The word "master" suggests that Aunt J is in a slavery-type relationship. The poem figures her as a slave. The master is "the ordeals" that she suffers, presumably at the hand of her husband.

15. Why are the fingers fluttering?

Aunt Jennifer's hands are 'fluttering through her wool' because she is an old lady on whom age has taken its toll. The fluttering of Aunt Jennifer's fingers also signifies her oppressed mental condition which makes it difficult for her to even pull an ivory needle while embroidering. 

16. What makes the tigers proud and unafraid?

She expresses her bitterness and anger against male dominance silently through her art. She creates tigers on her tapestry; animals that are symbolic of bravery, fearlessness and strength. Besides, she portrays these tigers as creatures unafraid of the men around them.

17. What is aunt Jennifer state of mind?

Aunt Jennifer is depressed. She is burdened with the thoughts of oppression's by her husband she had suffered. That is why she is knitting a tiger which is strong and not scared of anyone.

18. What is the tone of aunt Jennifer tigers?

Answer: The tone appears to be positive and cheerful when the poet describes the tiger but it becomes sad and dull at times of describing aunt Jennifer's condition.

19. Why is Uncle's wedding band heavy?

The 'wedding band' that the poet talks about was the wedding ring worn by Aunt Jennifer. The image 'massive weight of Uncle's wedding band' suggests that she was overburdened with duties and responsibilities, post her marriage.

20. What impression do you form of aunt Jennifer?

Aunt Jennifer is a meek and suppressed woman in a male-dominated society. She is denied every Kind of freedom and is always oppressed. But the tigers that she has made are free, bold, confident, chivalric, and courageous. 

21. Who is the speaker in aunt Jennifer's tigers?

The speaker is the niece or nephew of Aunt Jennifer and 'Uncle' who doesn't have a name in this poem, he is just referred to as 'Uncle'.

22. What is the significance of the title Aunt Jennifer's Tigers?

Answer: The title, 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers', indicates the poem is about the knitted tigers of Aunt Jennifer who, with their chivalric, vicious, bright, and carefree attitude, is becoming an alternate world of her own.

23. What is the difference between her and the tigers?

Unlike the tigers, Aunt Jennifer is terrified, weak, and unsure of herself. She is burdened by her married life. Living a life on her own terms is a far-fetched dream for her. In these ways, she is different from the tigers.

24. How is Aunt Jennifer's tigers a feminist poem?

The poem's theme is to emphasise the hardships and tensions that a woman confronts in a male-dominated society. Aunt Jennifer is the main character in the poem, and she represents women all around the world who are persecuted by the patriarchal society. Through the poem, the poet emphasises her feminist issues.

25. Why is aunt Jennifer referred to as aunt in the end?

She is called “aunt” in the end because she has lost the identity of being Jennifer. However she is still a woman and remains oppressed even after her death as the marriage ring remains attached to her fingers.