Adrienne Rich, "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers"

 Aunt Jennifer's Tigers

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 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.

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.

About Author:

Theme of the Poem:

The poem "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers" is written by Adrienne Rich and highlights the theme of patriarchy's control over women's lives. The tiger that Aunt Jennifer embroiders is a symbol of strength, courage, and freedom, in contrast to her own oppressed image. The poem reflects the harsh reality of the miserable conditions under which married women live in different parts of the world, depicting Aunt Jennifer as a victim of patriarchy. The tone of the poem is cheerful while describing the tigers, and sad while portraying Aunt Jennifer's life, dreams, and aspirations. Aunt Jennifer's hands shiver with fear every time she embroiders, as her husband disapproves of this hobby, which represents her fear and oppression. Aunt Jennifer believes that only death can set her free from the shackles of her miserable life. The poem is a poignant representation of the struggle of women against patriarchal oppression and the desire for freedom and self-expression.

Solution:

1. How do 'denizens' and 'chivalric' add to our understanding of the tiger's attitudes?

Ans: The tigers are the denizens of the forest. They live far away from human settlements. They are called brave and unafraid of the men. This indicates the majestic and honorable position that they occupy in the world of animals. So, the use of the words ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ adds to our understanding of the tiger’s attitudes.

2. 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?

Ans: Aunt Jennifer's hands are 'fluttering through her wool because she is facing the constraints of married life for years. She is finding the needle so hard to pull as uncle’s wedding band sits heavily on her hand.

3. What is suggested by the image 'massive weight of Uncle's wedding band'?

Ans: It suggests the weight of the harsh and tough experiences of Aunt Jennifer’s married life. The image is quite suggestive. The wedding band is symbolic. It represents the unbreakable bond of marriage between the husband and the wife.

4. Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified within the third stanza?

Ans: In the third stanza, Aunt Jennifer’s terrified hands refer her unhappy past memories which are still fresh in her mind. She had passed through many testing and horrible times during her married life. These ordeals crushed and suppressed her. Their effect is still visible. So, she is still ringed with those ordeals that dominated her life.

5. 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? 

Ans: Aunt Jennifer followed her husband's instructions throughout her life. Her life is overloaded by the obligations and responsibilities of a married life. Despite her age and weakness, she continues to be oppressed by her husband. The term 'ringed' denotes that her married life is bounded by the duties and controlled by her husband.

6. Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals that are so different from her character? What might the poet be suggesting, through this difference?

Ans: Aunt Jennifer created tiger which is different from her character because it is symbols of strength, fearlessness, bravery and freedom. On the contrary she is weak and terrified. The massive weight of the wedding band sits heavily on her hand. Her terrified hands are still ringed by the ordeals of married life even after her death.

7. Interpret the symbols found in this poem.

Ans: In the poem, the author uses a variety of symbols to communicate his thoughts and concerns. Tigers, men, a screen, and, most significantly, a ring are among them. On a screen, Aunt Jennifer has made tigers. Aunt Jennifer's hidden yearning for a life of independence and power is symbolized by these tigers. The screen on which she made the tigers may represent the globe in general. The males beneath the tree could be individuals she knows, such as her husband. Her tigers are bold, proud, and free to strut about the screen or in the real world. The large wedding ring she wore on her finger symbolizes the constraints of her married life.