NCERT Solutions
for Class 12 English Flamingo

Chapter 5 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers by Adrienne Rich

Updated
Syllabus for 2024-2025 Exams 

Q.1 How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add
to our understanding of the tigers’ attitudes?

Answer:
The word ‘denizens’ refers to inhabitants of a particular place, and in the
poem, it suggests that the tigers are confident and at ease in their natural
environment, symbolizing power and dominance. The word ‘chivalric’ implies that
the tigers possess qualities like bravery, elegance, and nobility. These terms
emphasize the tigers’ fearless and majestic attitude, standing in stark
contrast to Aunt Jennifer’s own life, which is marked by oppression and fear.

Q.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?

Answer:
Aunt Jennifer’s hands are ‘fluttering through her wool’ because they are weak
and trembling, possibly due to old age or the emotional burden she carries. The
act of embroidery, which should be a delicate and controlled activity, becomes
difficult for her as she struggles with the weight of her life’s ordeals. The
needle is hard to pull because Aunt Jennifer is oppressed by the “massive
weight” of her marriage, symbolized by the wedding band, which restricts
her freedom and makes even simple tasks seem overwhelming.

Q.3 What is suggested by the image
‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’?

Answer:
The image of the ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’ suggests the heavy
burden of marital obligations and societal expectations imposed on Aunt
Jennifer. The wedding band, a symbol of marriage, becomes a metaphor for the
control and domination her husband exercises over her, and the weight of the
ring symbolizes the oppressive nature of her marriage, which limits her
autonomy and personal freedom.

Q.4 Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer
terrified in the third stanza?

Answer:
In the third stanza, Aunt Jennifer is terrified of the hardships and
restrictions she has faced throughout her life, particularly within her
marriage. Even after her death, her “terrified hands” will remain
marked by the “ordeals” she endured. The poem suggests that the
weight of her oppressive life will stay with her, even in death, indicating how
deeply her experiences have affected her.

Q.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:
The ‘ordeals’ Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by refer to the struggles and
oppressive experiences she has faced in her life, particularly in her marriage.
The word ‘ringed’ is significant because it carries a double meaning.
Literally, it refers to the wedding ring that symbolizes her marriage.
Figuratively, it suggests that Aunt Jennifer is trapped or encircled by her
ordeals, with no escape. The use of the word ‘ringed’ highlights the continuous,
unbreakable nature of her suffering, which binds her as tightly as a ring
around her finger.

Q.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 created tigers that are strong, fearless, and proud, which stand
in stark contrast to her own character, marked by fear and submission. This
difference suggests that Aunt Jennifer longs for the qualities she imbues in
the tigers—freedom, power, and independence. The poet may be suggesting that
through her art, Aunt Jennifer is expressing her innermost desires for a life
that is free from the oppression and fear that she experiences in her own life.

Q.7 Interpret the symbols found in this
poem.

Answer:
Several symbols are found in the poem:

• Tigers: Represent strength, freedom, and
  fearlessness—qualities that Aunt Jennifer lacks in her own life but wishes
  to embody through her art.
• Wedding band: Symbolizes the oppressive weight
  of marriage and societal expectations that restrict Aunt Jennifer’s
  freedom.
• Embroidery: Represents Aunt Jennifer’s
  attempt to escape the confines of her life by creating something beautiful
  and powerful, reflecting her suppressed desires and inner strength.
• Hands: Symbolize Aunt Jennifer’s
  vulnerability and fear, weighed down by the hardships of her life.

Q.8 Do you sympathize 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 is portrayed
as a woman who has endured a life of oppression and fear. The speaker’s
attitude towards Aunt Jennifer is one of empathy and understanding. The speaker
recognizes the hardships Aunt Jennifer has faced and highlights the contrast
between the fear she feels and the courage symbolized by the tigers she
creates. The poem suggests a deep sense of compassion for Aunt Jennifer’s
plight, acknowledging her struggles while also admiring the strength she
expresses through her art.