Class 12 Exam  >  Class 12 Notes  >  English Class 12  >  NCERT Textbook: Poem 6 - Aunt Jennifer's Tiger

NCERT Textbook: Poem 6 - Aunt Jennifer's Tiger | English Class 12 PDF Download

Download, print and study this document offline
Please wait while the PDF view is loading
 Page 1


100/Flamingo
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
About the poet
Adrienne Rich (1929–2012) was born in Baltimore,
Maryland, USA. She is widely known for her involvement
in contemporary women’s movement as a poet and
theorist. She has published  nineteen volumes of poetry,
three collections of essays and other writings. A strong
resistance to racism and militarism echoes through her
work. The poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers addresses the
constraints of married life a woman experiences.
Before you read
What does the title of the poem suggest to you? Are you
reminded of other poems on 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 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.
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.
denizen : a person, an animal or a plant that lives, grows
or is often found in a particular place.
sleek : elegant
5
2024-25
Page 2


100/Flamingo
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
About the poet
Adrienne Rich (1929–2012) was born in Baltimore,
Maryland, USA. She is widely known for her involvement
in contemporary women’s movement as a poet and
theorist. She has published  nineteen volumes of poetry,
three collections of essays and other writings. A strong
resistance to racism and militarism echoes through her
work. The poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers addresses the
constraints of married life a woman experiences.
Before you read
What does the title of the poem suggest to you? Are you
reminded of other poems on 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 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.
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.
denizen : a person, an animal or a plant that lives, grows
or is often found in a particular place.
sleek : elegant
5
2024-25
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers/101
Think it out
1. How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add 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?
3. What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s
wedding band’?
4. Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified with in the third
stanza?
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?
6. Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals that are so
different from her own character? What might the poet be
suggesting, through this difference?
7. Interpret the symbols found in this poem.
8. Do you sympathise with Aunt Jennifer. What is the attitude of
the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer?
Notice the colours suggested in the poem.
Notice the repetitive use of certain sounds in the poem.
2024-25
Page 3


100/Flamingo
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
About the poet
Adrienne Rich (1929–2012) was born in Baltimore,
Maryland, USA. She is widely known for her involvement
in contemporary women’s movement as a poet and
theorist. She has published  nineteen volumes of poetry,
three collections of essays and other writings. A strong
resistance to racism and militarism echoes through her
work. The poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers addresses the
constraints of married life a woman experiences.
Before you read
What does the title of the poem suggest to you? Are you
reminded of other poems on 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 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.
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.
denizen : a person, an animal or a plant that lives, grows
or is often found in a particular place.
sleek : elegant
5
2024-25
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers/101
Think it out
1. How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add 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?
3. What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s
wedding band’?
4. Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified with in the third
stanza?
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?
6. Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals that are so
different from her own character? What might the poet be
suggesting, through this difference?
7. Interpret the symbols found in this poem.
8. Do you sympathise with Aunt Jennifer. What is the attitude of
the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer?
Notice the colours suggested in the poem.
Notice the repetitive use of certain sounds in the poem.
2024-25
102/Flamingo
Notes
...... ......
2024-25
Read More
21 videos|317 docs|95 tests

FAQs on NCERT Textbook: Poem 6 - Aunt Jennifer's Tiger - English Class 12

1. What is the central theme of the poem "Aunt Jennifer's Tiger"?
Ans. The central theme of the poem "Aunt Jennifer's Tiger" is the oppressive nature of marriage and the desire for freedom and empowerment. Aunt Jennifer, as portrayed through her tapestry, represents a woman trapped in a patriarchal society, seeking strength and independence through her art.
2. How does the poet use symbolism in "Aunt Jennifer's Tiger"?
Ans. The poet uses symbolism in the poem "Aunt Jennifer's Tiger" to convey the themes of strength, courage, and freedom. Aunt Jennifer's tiger symbolizes her desire to break free from the constraints of her marriage and society, representing her inner strength and power.
3. What is the significance of Aunt Jennifer's wedding band in the poem?
Ans. Aunt Jennifer's wedding band symbolizes the oppressive nature of her marriage. The heavy ring weighs her down, representing the burden of societal expectations and gender roles. It serves as a reminder of her lack of freedom and autonomy.
4. How does the poet create a contrast between Aunt Jennifer and her tapestry?
Ans. The poet creates a contrast between Aunt Jennifer and her tapestry by depicting Aunt Jennifer as weak and afraid, while her tapestry portrays a bold and fearless tiger. This contrast highlights the dichotomy between Aunt Jennifer's oppressed existence and the strength she seeks through her art.
5. What is the overall message conveyed through "Aunt Jennifer's Tiger"?
Ans. The overall message conveyed through "Aunt Jennifer's Tiger" is the importance of empowerment and self-expression for women in a patriarchal society. The poem emphasizes the need for women to break free from societal constraints, find their voice, and assert their strength and independence.
21 videos|317 docs|95 tests
Download as PDF
Explore Courses for Class 12 exam
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Related Searches

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

NCERT Textbook: Poem 6 - Aunt Jennifer's Tiger | English Class 12

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

Extra Questions

,

past year papers

,

pdf

,

Sample Paper

,

Summary

,

video lectures

,

Important questions

,

Free

,

Objective type Questions

,

ppt

,

Semester Notes

,

practice quizzes

,

Viva Questions

,

NCERT Textbook: Poem 6 - Aunt Jennifer's Tiger | English Class 12

,

MCQs

,

NCERT Textbook: Poem 6 - Aunt Jennifer's Tiger | English Class 12

,

Exam

,

mock tests for examination

,

study material

;