Chapter- 14 Aunt Jennifer's Tigers
Question: What is the title of the poem?
Answer: The title of the poem is “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers”.
Question: Who is the poet of the poem?
Answer: The poet of the poem is Adrienne Rich.
Question: When was Adrienne Rich born?
Answer: Adrienne Rich was born in 1929.
Question: Where was Adrienne Rich born?
Answer: She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Question: For what is Adrienne Rich widely known?
Answer: She is known for her involvement in the contemporary women’s movement as a poet and theorist.
Question: How many volumes of poetry has Adrienne Rich published?
Answer: She has published nineteen volumes of poetry.
Question: Apart from poetry, what else has Adrienne Rich written?
Answer: She has published three collections of essays and other writings.
Question: What social issues does Adrienne Rich address in her works?
Answer: She addresses racism, militarism, and women’s oppression.
Question: What is the main theme of the poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers”?
Answer: The poem addresses the constraints and struggles of married life experienced by women.
Question: How are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers described?
Answer: They are described as prancing, bright topaz, and fearless in a world of green.
Question: What does the word “denizens” mean in the poem?
Answer: Denizens are inhabitants, like a person, animal, or plant that lives in a place.
Question: How do the tigers behave toward men?
Answer: The tigers do not fear the men beneath the tree.
Question: What does “sleek” mean in the poem?
Answer: Sleek means elegant, smooth, and graceful.
Question: What does Aunt Jennifer do with her fingers?
Answer: Her fingers flutter through her wool while making the tigers.
Question: Why does she find the needle hard to pull?
Answer: Because her hands are weak and burdened by her life and responsibilities.
Question: What does Uncle’s wedding band symbolize?
Answer: It symbolizes the oppressive weight of patriarchal authority and marital constraints.
Question: How does the poem describe Aunt Jennifer’s hands?
Answer: Her hands are terrified and constrained by the ordeals of married life.
Question: What will happen to Aunt Jennifer’s hands after she dies?
Answer: They will lie still, showing the lasting effects of oppression.
Question: What will happen to the tigers she created?
Answer: The tigers will continue prancing proudly and unafraid.
Question: How do the tigers contrast with Aunt Jennifer?
Answer: The tigers are free and fearless, while Aunt Jennifer is oppressed and constrained.
Question: What literary device is used in describing the tigers?
Answer: Imagery is used to create vivid pictures of the tigers.
Question: What does the poem suggest about women’s creativity?
Answer: Women can express freedom and courage through art despite oppression.
Question: How does the poem reflect on marriage?
Answer: It reflects marriage as a source of control and limitation for women.
Question: Why are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers “chivalric”?
Answer: They display courage, elegance, and nobility, unlike Aunt Jennifer’s constrained life.
Question: What emotion is portrayed in Aunt Jennifer’s hands?
Answer: Fear, weakness, and oppression are portrayed.
Question: What hope does the poem give through the tigers?
Answer: The tigers symbolize courage, freedom, and enduring strength.
Question: How is the poem relevant to women today?
Answer: It highlights the struggles of women under societal and marital constraints.
Question: What contrast does Adrienne Rich create in the poem?
Answer: She contrasts Aunt Jennifer’s timid, oppressed life with the bold, fearless tigers.
Question: What does the “world of green” symbolize?
Answer: It symbolizes a free, natural, and vibrant life.
Question: How is fear versus courage depicted in the poem?
Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s fear contrasts with the courage and pride of the tigers she created.
Question: What is the overall message of the poem?
Answer: The poem conveys that women’s creativity and courage can survive beyond oppression.
Answer by Dimpee Bora
