Q1. Contrast the tiger in the zoo with the tiger in the jungle as presented in the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”.
Answer:
In the zoo, the tiger is confined to a small concrete cell. He stalks the few steps of his cage in quiet rage and ignores the visitors. His strength is locked behind bars, and he appears helpless and restrained. At night, he hears the patrolling cars and stares at the stars with brilliant eyes, showing his silent suffering.

In contrast, in the jungle, the tiger moves freely. He should be lurking in the shadow, sliding through long grass near the water hole where plump deer pass. He should be snarling around houses at the jungle’s edge, baring his white fangs and terrorising the village. Thus, the poet clearly contrasts freedom in the wild with captivity in the zoo.

Q2. How does the poet describe the tiger’s movements in the cage? What do they suggest?
Answer:
The poet describes the tiger as stalking the few steps of his cage on pads of velvet quiet, in his quiet rage. He moves slowly and silently, but his anger is suppressed. The phrase “stalking the length of his cage” suggests that he is walking to and fro in helplessness. These movements show his frustration, anger, and loss of freedom.

Q3. Explain the meaning of the phrase ‘quiet rage’. How is it significant in the poem?
Answer:
‘Quiet rage’ means violent anger that is controlled or suppressed. The tiger is full of anger because he is imprisoned, but he cannot express it openly. This phrase is significant because it highlights the contrast between his powerful nature and his helpless condition in the cage. It shows the emotional suffering of the tiger.

Q4. What message does the poet convey through the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”?
Answer:
The poet conveys that wild animals are meant to live freely in their natural habitat. Life in a zoo is unnatural and pitiable for them. Though zoos may provide safety, they take away the animals’ freedom and dignity. The poem creates sympathy for the tiger and suggests that freedom is essential for all living beings.

Q5. Describe the tiger’s behaviour at night in the zoo.
Answer:
At night, the tiger hears the last voice and the patrolling cars. When everything becomes quiet, he stares at the brilliant stars with his brilliant eyes. This shows that he feels lonely and restless. The stars symbolise freedom, which he longs for but cannot attain.

Q6. How does the poet use imagery to show the tiger’s natural habitat?
Answer:
The poet uses vivid images such as shadow, long grass, water hole, and plump deer. These images create a picture of the jungle where the tiger moves freely and hunts his prey. The description of snarling around houses at the jungle’s edge and baring his white fangs further strengthens the image of a powerful and fearless tiger in the wild.

Q7. Why does the tiger ignore the visitors? What does it show about his state of mind?
Answer:
The tiger ignores the visitors because he feels angry and helpless in captivity. He does not respond to them as he knows his power is restricted behind bars. This shows that he is frustrated and depressed. His silence reflects his inner suffering.

Q8. How does the poem highlight the theme of freedom?
Answer:
The poem contrasts the tiger’s free life in the jungle with his restricted life in the zoo. In the jungle, he moves confidently and hunts freely. In the zoo, he is confined to a small cage and can only walk back and forth. Through this contrast, the poet emphasises that freedom is natural and essential for all creatures.

Q9. Describe the physical appearance of the tiger as portrayed in the poem.
Answer:
The tiger has vivid stripes and brilliant eyes. He walks on pads of velvet quiet, which suggests that his steps are soft yet powerful. His white fangs and claws reflect his strength and ferocity. These descriptions highlight his beauty and strength, even though he is caged.

Q10. What does the phrase ‘his strength behind bars’ suggest?
Answer:
The phrase suggests that the tiger’s power and energy are restricted because he is locked in a cage. Although he is strong and fierce by nature, he cannot use his strength freely. It symbolises helplessness and loss of independence.

Q11. How does the poet create sympathy for the tiger?
Answer:
The poet shows the tiger’s helpless condition in the concrete cell and his suppressed anger. Words like ‘quiet rage’, ‘locked in a concrete cell’, and ‘stalking the length of his cage’ make the reader feel pity for him. The contrast with his free life in the jungle increases our sympathy.

Q12. Explain the significance of the repetition of the word ‘brilliant’ in the poem.
Answer:
The word ‘brilliant’ is used for both the tiger’s eyes and the stars. This repetition creates a contrast. The stars are free in the sky, while the tiger, though having brilliant eyes, is trapped in a cage. It highlights the theme of freedom versus captivity.

Q13. Why should the tiger be lurking in shadow and sliding through long grass?
Answer:
The tiger should be lurking in shadow and sliding through long grass because that is his natural way of hunting in the jungle. He moves silently to catch his prey near the water hole. This description shows how unnatural it is for him to be locked in a cage.

Q14. Discuss the contrast between ‘concrete cell’ and ‘jungle’.
Answer:
The ‘concrete cell’ symbolises confinement, restriction, and artificial surroundings. It is small and lifeless. On the other hand, the ‘jungle’ represents freedom, nature, and vitality. It is wide, lively, and suitable for the tiger’s true nature. The contrast emphasises the cruelty of captivity.

Q15. Do you think zoos are necessary for the protection of animals? Give your view with reference to the poem.
Answer:
From the poem, it seems that animals do not enjoy living in zoos because they lose their freedom. The tiger appears angry and helpless in the cage. However, zoos may protect animals from hunters and dangers. Therefore, while zoos can provide safety, they cannot replace the freedom and natural life of the forest.