Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Poem Questions Answers
1. How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitudes?
Denizens: This word implies that the tigers belong to a world of their own, one that is separate from the world of Aunt Jennifer. This creates a sense of their wildness and freedom, qualities that Aunt Jennifer seems to lack.
Chivalric: This word suggests that the tigers are noble and courageous. This further emphasizes their strength and independence, which stand in contrast to Aunt Jennifer’s fear and vulnerability.
2. 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?
Fluttery hands: This image suggests nervousness and anxiety. It is possible that Aunt Jennifer is afraid of her husband or of displeasing him. Alternatively, she may be overwhelmed by the demands of her marriage and her life.
Difficult needle: This detail could be interpreted in a few ways. It could represent the physical limitations placed upon Aunt Jennifer, or it could symbolize the emotional burden she carries. It could also suggest a lack of control over her own life and decisions.
3. What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’?
This image is a powerful symbol of Aunt Jennifer’s marriage and its oppressive nature. The wedding band, a symbol of love and unity, is instead depicted as heavy and suffocating. This suggests that Aunt Jennifer feels trapped and burdened by her marital obligations.
4. Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified with in the third stanza?
The poem doesn’t explicitly state what Aunt Jennifer is terrified of. However, the context suggests that she is afraid of her husband and the expectations placed upon her as a wife. She may also be afraid of her own limitations and the life she is unable to live.
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?
Ordeals: The “ordeals” could refer to the difficulties and hardships of Aunt Jennifer’s marriage, or they could represent the challenges she faces as a woman in a patriarchal society.
Ringed: This word has two possible meanings in the poem. It literally refers to the wedding band on her finger, but it also suggests that Aunt Jennifer is surrounded and trapped by her difficulties.
Meanings of “ringed”:
Literal: Encircled by the wedding band
Figurative: Surrounded and trapped by challenges
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?
The tigers represent the freedom and power that Aunt Jennifer desires but cannot attain in her own life. Through creating them, she escapes her reality and expresses her longing for a different existence.
The contrast between Aunt Jennifer’s submissive nature and the fierce tigers suggests that there is a hidden strength within her. It also highlights the injustice of a society that represses women’s potential.
7. Interpret the symbols found in this poem.
Tigers: Freedom, power, strength, independence
Wedding band: Marriage, oppression, burden, restriction
Needle and wool: Domesticity, obligation, limitation
Green world: Nature, escape, peace
Men beneath the tree: Authority, patriarchy, threat
8. Do you sympathize with Aunt Jennifer? What is the attitude of the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer?
Most readers sympathize with Aunt Jennifer’s plight and feel compassion for her trapped and unfulfilled life.
The speaker seems to hold a similar attitude of sympathy and understanding towards Aunt Jennifer. The poem highlights her suffering and celebrates her creative spirit, suggesting that she is a victim of circumstance.
Very Short Answer Questions
Where do the tigers in the poem reside?
A green world
What word describes the tigers’ movement?
Prancing
What do the tigers fear?
Nothing
What does Aunt Jennifer’s needlework consist of?
Tigers
What feeling do Aunt Jennifer’s hands convey?
Fluttery, trembling
What is described as “massive” in the poem?
Uncle’s wedding band
What does the wedding band symbolize?
The burdens of marriage
What will happen to Aunt Jennifer’s hands after death?
They will lie still, ringed by her wedding band
What will the tigers in the panel continue to do?
Prance, proud and unafraid
What is the poem’s main theme?
The contrast between freedom and confinement
How are tigers different from Aunt Jennifer’s character?
They are free, powerful, and fearless, unlike Aunt Jennifer who is trapped and fearful.
What does the green world symbolize?
Nature, escape, and peace
Who do the “men beneath the tree” represent?
Authority figures, patriarchy, and potential threats
What is the significance of the word “ringed”?
It refers to the wedding band but also suggests being trapped by ordeals.
What is the overall tone of the poem?
Somber, sympathetic, and possibly hopeful
Does Aunt Jennifer find solace in her needlework?
Yes, it allows her to express her yearning for freedom.
What does the poem suggest about the limitations placed on women?
It highlights the constraints and lack of agency that women can face within society.
Do you think the poem has a feminist message?
Yes, it can be interpreted as a critique of patriarchal structures and a celebration of female strength and resilience.
What is the lasting impact of Aunt Jennifer’s creation?
The tigers represent her enduring spirit and a testament to the power of art and creativity.
How does the poem make you feel?
This will vary depending on the individual reader, but common emotions include sadness, empathy, and admiration for Aunt Jennifer’s strength and spirit.
Short Answer Questions
How does the setting of the first stanza contrast with Aunt Jennifer’s reality?
The vibrant green world of the tigers stands in stark contrast to the likely domestic and potentially oppressive environment of Aunt Jennifer’s life.
What physical details reveal Aunt Jennifer’s emotional state?
Her trembling hands and the fluttering motion of her fingers suggest nervousness, anxiety, and potentially fear.
Why is the wedding band described as “massive” and “heavily”?
This emphasizes the burden and oppression that marriage represents for Aunt Jennifer.
What two meanings does the word “ringed” have in the poem?
Literally, it refers to the wedding band on Aunt Jennifer’s finger. Figuratively, it suggests she is surrounded and trapped by her hardships.
Why do you think Aunt Jennifer chooses to create such powerful and free animals like tigers?
This could symbolize her longing for the freedom and strength she lacks in her own life.
What different moods does the poem evoke through its imagery and tone?
There is a sense of both confinement and yearning, contrasted with the vibrancy and freedom of the tigers.
How does Aunt Jennifer’s needlework serve as a form of escape?
By creating the tigers, she enters a world of her own imagination, free from the constraints of her reality.
What does the poem suggest about the relationship between art and freedom?
Through her art, Aunt Jennifer finds a way to express her desires and emotions, even if she cannot achieve them in her own life.
Is the poem ultimately optimistic or pessimistic about Aunt Jennifer’s fate?
While the poem acknowledges her suffering, the enduring image of the tigers suggests a possibility of hope and resilience.
What is the poem’s main message about the human spirit?
The poem suggests that even in the face of hardship and confinement, the human spirit can find ways to express itself and crave freedom.
