AUNT JENNIFER'S TIGERS BY ADRIENNE RICH, GRADE XII ENGLISH CORE

AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS

By. Adrienne Rich

Grade XII, English core

Prepared by : M. K. Chandran

mkchandran.blgpot.com

 

1    MCQ

(1)What does the poet criticize in Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers?

(a)  The society

(b) The Government

(c)  Aunt Jennifer’s husband

(d) Male-domination

Ans: (d)

2.     The wedding band in the poem is a symbol of

(i)                The husband’s superiority

(ii)              The oppression of women

(iii)            The proud of women

(iv)            The wife’s superiority

Ans: (ii)

3.     The figure of speech used in ‘terrified hands” is…….

(a)  Simile

(b) Metaphor

(c)  Transferred epithet

(d) Alliteration

Ans: (c )

4.     “Still ringed with ordeals , she was mastered by.”

What do you mean by “mastered by”?

(a)  Put under

(b) Highly educated

(c)  Passed M.A degree

(d) Hardships

Ans: (a)

5.     Why did Aunt Jennifer make tigers on a panel?

(a)  She liked tigers

(b) For time pass

(c)  Earning money

(d) To be fearless

Ans: (d)

SHORT ANSWERS

1. What is the theme of the poem?

Ans: The theme of the poem is male dominated society. The hardship of the married life crush women badly. However their desire to be free can not be suppressed. That is why Aunt Jennifer creates fearless tigers.

2. Mention some important the symbols used in the poem:

Ans: The massive weight of the wedding band shows the hardship of her married life. It also indicates her husband’s dominating character. Terrified hands indicate terror and hardship of married life faced by Aunt Jennifer. The polished cars indicate the rich people who own costly cars.

3. Why did Aunt Jennifer face difficult to move the needle ?

Ans:  Aunt Jennifer was old. She found the needle hard to pull because she was  very weak and faced a lot of hardship during her married life. She did not enjoy any pleasure from her married life. she was nervous and weak. Her husband dominated her in all the aspect.

4. Why did Aunt Jennifer create tigers that were different from her own character?

Ans: Aunt Jennifer's tigers did not afraid men. They moved with dignity and confidence. They were proud and unafraid unlike Aunt Jennifer. She faced displeasure in her married life. Her husband dominated her throughout her life. She wanted to create something strong which would dominate her husband.  She was scared her husband and was terrified. So she created fearless tigers.

5. Describe the use of poetic devices in the poem

Ans:  The massive weight of the wedding band is a apt symbol of the ordeals and hardship of Aunt's married life. 'Terrified hands'- is a transferred epithet; which stands for the poor  condition of a woman. She has none to seek help. Her husband dominated her in all aspects.

6. What do you learn of the married life of Aunt Jennifer?

Ans: In a male dominated society the wife is always suppressed.  She has no freedom to do anything alone. She has to seek permission from her husband for every minute things. She is terrified of her dominating husband. The heavy and massive ordeals have taken out her pleasure of life and adversely affected her body and mind.

7. "Aunt Jennifer's tigers go on prancing fearlessly even after her death" Explain

Ans: Aunt Jennifer's tigers are on a panel. It was an excellent embroidery work. Her tigers will not die, they are a perfect art foam that survive for long. All living beings are mortal whereas the artistic creations are immortal. That is why her tigers will go on  prancing fearlessly even after her death.