The poem Aunt Jennifer's Tigers by Adrienne Rich portrays an oppressed woman named Aunt Jennifer who tries to find freedom and express her artistic talents through embroidering tigers. The tigers represent her desire to be fearless and liberated, in contrast to her real life where she lives in submissiveness under her dominant husband, as symbolized by the heavy weight of her wedding ring. Even after her death, the tigers she embroidered will remain proud and unafraid, while her hands will still be ringed by the oppression of her marriage.

2. Adrienne Rich
1. American poet, essayist and
feminist.
2. She was called "one of the most
widely read and influential poets of
the second half of the 20th century".
3. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA
4. wrote several pieces that explicitly
tackle the rights of women in society
5. In particular, she writes openly
about her outrage with the
patriarchal nature of the greater
society.

3. ACTIVITY - 1

4. Introduction
Arrange the following points in the correct order to form an introduction.
1. The poem explores themes of gender, power dynamics, and societal
expectations.
2.In her poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, the poet, Adrienne Rich, vividly
portrays Aunt Jennifer's desire for freedom and strength through the
symbol of embroidered tigers.
3.Published in the 1950s, the poem raises questions about the
oppressive forces faced by women and the potential for artistic
expression to serve as resistance.
4.This critical appreciation, delves into the structure, language, and
imagery used in the poem to analyse its deeper meanings.

5. Theme:
An oppressed woman, Aunt Jennifer tries to
escape into the world of embroidery trying to
express her artistic talents. She is a reflection of
all the women in society who are forced to accept
the burden of abusive marriage in a male-
dominated society and sacrifice her freedom of
choice and expression.

6. 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.
Topaz- bright yellow colour
Chivalric- respectful/brave
Certainty- confidence
Denizens- residents of forests

7. Which characteristics of the tiger
fascinate Aunt Jennifer?
● Bright appearance
● Vigour and energy
● Fearlessness
● Courage and confidence

8. 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.
Ivory- an expensive knitting needle

9. Aunt Jennifer has been described
as:
● Nervous
● Fearful
● Burdened by her responsibilities
● Terrified
● Living a life of submissiveness
● Scared of expressing her
desires and creativity
● Exhausted of being dominated
● Loses her individuality and
freedom

10. The wedding ring which is a beautiful
gift and symbol of a beautiful
relationship is ironically shown as a
burden and trap for Aunt Jennifer.

11. Depiction of an oppressive marriage as slavery and bondage

12. The wedding ring is a symbol of the
obligations of a married life from which Aunt
Jennifer cannot escape.Even after her death.

13. She expresses her desire for freedom and fearlessness through
her design of tigers.

14. The poem presents a clear distinction between
the dreams and desires of a woman and her
real life. Her aspirations of being a fearless
and free woman devoid of any oppression are
reflected through the tigers she made. On the
other hand, her agony in her real life is shown
through her fluttering fingers, and her inability
to pull the ivory needle. She is clearly a woman
who has been suppressed throughout her life
under the dominance of her husband.

15. Tigers symbolise her dreams and desires of being powerful, fearless,
decisive and liberated.

16. 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.
The death of Aunt did not end the
dominance of patriarchy from the society.
She died as a bonded slave to her marriage
which was like a circus ring and her
husband as the master.
However, the tigers which she made on the
panel will always be free and fearless.

17. Literary devices:
1. Synecdoche- a part of something represents the whole. Examples-
1.Coke is referred to as all the carbonated drinks. 2.England lost by
25 runs. 3. I am the sole bread earner of my family.
“Terrified hands”
1. Transferred epithet: “terrified hands”
2. Pun: use of a word which has several meanings but same
pronunciation. “Ringed with ordeals”
3. Irony: Aunt Jennifer makes fearless tigers.
4. Alliteration: Sleek chivalric certainty, fingers fluttering
5. Imagery: bright topaz denizens in the world of green
6. Hyperbole: weight of wedding band

18. Rhyme and Structure of the poem:
● Rhyme scheme- AABBCC
● Enjambment- the continuation of a sentence
without a pause beyond the end of a line,
couplet or a stanza.
“When aunt is dead, her terrified hands will
lie
still ringed with ordeals she was mastered
by

19. A Home for Equality: Achieving Women’s Rights Within Families
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxa7GBVetZA&ab_channel=SatyamevJayate
VIDEO LINKS

20. Task: Match the words and phrases with their corresponding references.
1. Tigers A. Power imbalance
2. Trembling hands vs
confident tigers
B. symbol of oppression
3. Descriptive words C. sense of tension, longing to be
free
4. Wedding band D. sophisticated class of Aunt
5. Atmosphere of the poem E. Sleek, chivalric
6. Ivory needle F. Aunt’s desire for liberation

21. Tone and Mood
Task: Choose the appropriate words from the given set, to complete the
paragraph describing the tone and mood for this poem.
The tone of 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers' is __________ and __________. The language and
imagery used in the poem evoke a mood of quiet __________ and __________, as Aunt
Jennifer's struggle for autonomy is conveyed through her art. The tone and
mood emphasise the __________ between Aunt Jennifer's inner world of strength
and the oppressive reality she faces.
mocking conflict
reflective light-hearted
sombre frustration
desperation optimistic

22. ASSIGNMENT:
Personal Response
Task: Compose a brief paragraph expressing your personal response to the
poem by using the sentence prompts.
● Aunt Jennifer's Tigers resonates deeply with me as it ....
● The poet’s poignant portrayal of Aunt Jennifer's desire for autonomy
and self-expression prompts me to ...
● The poem serves as a call to action, urging us to...