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Question
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?
Solution
Aunt Jennifer has been living her life in accordance with the rules laid down by her husband. Her life lacks expression and is overburdened by the demands and duties of her married life. Although old and weak, she still has to face oppression by her husband. These are the ordeals that the poet talks about.
The use of word ‘ringed’, in the poem, is significant and appropriate because it correctly represents the vicious circle from which Aunt Jennifer is unable to free herself. The word ‘ringed’ not only indicates that she is wearing her wedding ring but also that she is bound by the responsibilities, fear and oppression of her marriage for entire life and, probably, after it too.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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.
(a) Why are the tigers called Aunt Jennifer's tigers?
(b) How are they described here?
(c) How are they different from Aunt Jennifer?
(d) What does the word, 'chivalric' mean?
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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.
(a) What is Aunt Jennifer doing with her wool?
(b) Why does she find it difficult to pull her ivory needle?
(c) What does 'wedding band' stand for?
(d) Describe the irony in the third line.
Why did Aunt Jennifer decide to create animals so different from her own character ?
What does the title of the poem suggest to you? Are you reminded of other poems on tigers?
How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitudes?
What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’?
Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified with in the third stanza?
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?
Interpret the symbols found in this poem.
Adrienne Rich chose to express her silent revolt through her poem, Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, just as Aunt Jennifer did with her embroidery. Explain.
How can we say that marriage was a compromise for Aunt Jennifer? Support your response with two justifications.
Explain the irony at the end of the poem, 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers'.
Explain the significance of the 'denizens pacing in sleek certainty' in the poem 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers'.
What is the significance of the image "Massive weight of uncle's wedding band" in the poem 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers'?
Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals that are so different from her own character?
Answer the following question in about 40-50 words.
How might the message of the poem, ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ be different, if the following last four lines were omitted?
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.
Answer the following question in about 120-150 words.
The different portrayals of women in the texts 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers', 'Going Places', 'Lost Spring', and 'My Mother at Sixty-six', offer insights into the experiences of women in society.
You have been asked to address your peers and share -
⇒ the ways these portrayals highlight the diversity of the female experience.
⇒ the importance of understanding each individual woman's challenges and experiences.
Compose this draft, with reference to any three of these prescribed texts. listed above.
You may begin this way:
Good morning, everyone.
As I analysed the allotted texts...
You may end this way.
To conclude, I’d like to say that ...
Answer the following in about 120-150 words.
'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers' and 'A Thing of Beauty', can be read together to show the permanence and everlasting impact of art and of thµtgs of beauty. Comment.
Answer the following question in about 40-50 words.
Why do Aunt Jennifer's tigers not fear the men beneath the tree?
