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THINK it OUT

Q1. How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitudes?
Answer: The word ‘denizens’ means inhabitants of a particular place, which suggests that the tigers are at home in their world. ‘Chivalric’ means a knightly and honourable attitude, which suggests that the tigers are brave and fearless. Together, they add to our understanding that the tigers are powerful, confident, and unafraid, in stark contrast to Aunt Jennifer.

Q2. 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?
Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s hands are ‘fluttering’ because she is old and frail, but also because she is living in fear. The “massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band” and the “ordeals” she has been subjected to have made her a timid and weak person. She is finding the needle so hard to pull because her hands are burdened by the weight of her marriage.

Q3. What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’?
Answer: The image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’ suggests that her marriage is a heavy burden for Aunt Jennifer. The wedding band, which is a symbol of love and commitment, is instead a symbol of oppression and subjugation for her. It has taken away her freedom and her identity.

Q4. Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified with in the third stanza?
Answer: In the third stanza, Aunt Jennifer is terrified of the “ordeals she was mastered by.” She is terrified of her husband, her marriage, and the burdens and constraints of 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?
Answer: Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by the struggles and restrictions of a patriarchal society, including a controlling marriage and societal expectations of women. The word ‘ringed’ is significant because it suggests confinement and oppression, like being trapped in a circle. In the poem, ‘ringed’ has a double meaning: it refers to both the rings of wedding bands symbolizing her marital bondage and the rings around the tigers, highlighting their bravery in contrast to her own restrictions.

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?
Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s tigers are bold, fearless, and free, qualities she cannot express in her own life. By creating such animals, she is expressing her inner desires for courage and freedom. The poet may be suggesting that art can serve as a means of escape and self-expression, allowing people to show strength that life circumstances may suppress.

7. Interpret the symbols found in this poem.
Answer:

• Tigers: Symbolize strength, freedom, and courage. They represent the qualities Aunt Jennifer admires and wishes to embody.
• Needle and thread: Symbolize creativity and the act of self-expression.
• Wedding ring / ‘ringed with ordeals’: Symbolizes oppression, marriage constraints, and societal limitations placed on women.
• The act of stitching the tigers: Symbolizes leaving a legacy of courage despite her own limitations.

Q8. Do you sympathise with Aunt Jennifer? What is the attitude of the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer?
Answer: Yes, the reader is likely to sympathize with Aunt Jennifer, as she faces oppression and personal limitations. The speaker’s attitude is empathetic and observant, highlighting both her struggles and her quiet strength. The tone respects her courage in expressing freedom through her art, even if her own life is restricted.