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Chapter Analysis
Intermediate5 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers by Adrienne Rich reflects the struggles and oppression faced by women in a patriarchal society. Through the metaphor of Aunt Jennifer's creation of tigers, the poem contrasts her personal entrapment within marriage with the freedom and fearlessness of the tigers she imagines. The poem highlights themes of gender roles, power dynamics, and the enduring spirit through artistic expression.
Key Topics
- •Patriarchy and oppression
- •Symbolism of the tigers
- •Gender roles and societal expectations
- •Artistic expression and identity
- •Fear and entrapment
- •Imagery and symbolism
- •Contrast between reality and desire
Learning Objectives
- ✓Identify and analyze the symbolism in the poem.
- ✓Discuss the representation of gender roles and their effect on individuals.
- ✓Explore the theme of oppression and how it is conveyed through imagery.
- ✓Analyze the contrasting elements of Aunt Jennifer’s reality and her art.
- ✓Interpret the emotional undertones expressed through the poet’s choice of language.
Questions in Chapter
How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitudes?
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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?
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What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’?
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Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified with in the third stanza?
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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?
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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?
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Interpret the symbols found in this poem.
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Do you sympathise with Aunt Jennifer. What is the attitude of the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer?
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Additional Practice Questions
Discuss the significance of the tigers as a symbol in the poem.
mediumAnswer: The tigers symbolize strength and independence, contrasting with Aunt Jennifer's constrained life. They embody the spirited freedom she desires, representing a stark difference between her reality and her dreams.
Analyze how the poem explores the theme of patriarchy.
hardAnswer: The poem critiques the patriarchy by showcasing Aunt Jennifer's struggle under oppressive gender norms, symbolized by the 'massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band,' indicating her lack of agency and freedom.
Explain the use of color imagery in the poem.
easyAnswer: Color imagery like 'topaz' and 'green' highlights the vibrant, lively nature of the tigers in contrast to Aunt Jennifer's dull and constrained life, emphasizing her yearning for vibrancy.
What does the poem suggest about artistic expression?
mediumAnswer: Artistic expression offers Aunt Jennifer a form of assertion and immortality, as her tigers, unlike her, remain fearless and dynamic, continuing to embody the spirit she could not fully express.
Illustrate how the poem portrays the theme of fear.
hardAnswer: Fear is depicted through Aunt Jennifer's 'terrified hands' and the oppressive 'ordeals' she endures, suggesting her continuous battle with subjugation and emotional paralysis.
Reflect on the use of the word 'ringed' and its implications.
mediumAnswer: The word 'ringed' implies entrapment but also can signify the cyclical nature of oppression, trapping Aunt Jennifer within the societal norms throughout her life.
Propose how Aunt Jennifer's acts of sewing are portrayed in the poem.
easyAnswer: Sewing is an act of defiance and expression for Aunt Jennifer, juxtaposing her constrained life with the freedom and grace of the tigers she creates.