A. TEXTUAL ANSWERS SOLVED :
1. How do 'denizens ' and 'chivalric ' add to our understanding of the tiger's attitudes ?
Ans - Like all beasts of prey , the tigers are the denizens of the forest . They live far away from human settlements . They are called 'chivalric ' . This indicates the majestic and honourable position that they occupy in the world of animals . So, the use of the words 'denizens' and 'chivalric' adds to our understanding of the tiger's attitudes .
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
Ans - Aunt Jennifer is weaving tigers on the panel . Her hands are moving about her wool . She is finding the needle quite hard to pull . The weight of years of her married life is lying heavy on her head . This makes the pulling of the needle so hard .
3. What is suggested by the image 'massive weight of uncle's wedding band '?
Ans - It suggests the weight of the harsh and tough experience of Aunt Jennifer's married life . The image is quite suggestive . The wedding band is symbolic . It represents the unbreakable bond of marriage between the husband and the wife .
4. Of what or whom is Aunt Jennifer's terrified in the third stanza ?
Ans - In the third stanza , the poet refers to Aunt Jennifer's terrified hands '. The old unhappy memories are still fresh in her mind . She had passed through many testing and horrible times during her married life . These ordeals crushed and suppressed her . Their effect is still visible . So , she is still ringed with those ordeals that dominated her life .
5. What are the 'ordeals' Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by ? Why is it significant that the " poet uses the word 'ringed"! What are the different meaning of 'ringed' in the poem ?
Ans- The poem addresses the experience of marriage in the midst of constrictions . The word 'ringed' is significant . It suggests that the vicious grip or unhappy married life is still holding her tightly . The word 'ringed' has been used in two ways . First is the conventional use. Here ring is a symbol of the sacred bond of marriage encircled or surrounded .
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 ?
Ans - The tigers are 'prancing ' . They pace in 'sleek chivalric certainty '. They ' do not fear ' the men beneath the tree .Thus , they are symbols of strength , fierceness and beauty . Aunt Jennifer , on the other hand , is weak and terrified . He hands are finding it difficult to pull through her wool . The massive weight of the wedding bands sits heavily on her hand. Her terrified hands are still ringed by the ordeals of married life. The contrast heightens the intensity .
7. Interpret the symbols found in this poem ?
Ans - Adrienne Rich's 'Aunt Jennifer's Tiger's , is rich in symbolism . 'The massive weight of wedding band' symbolises ordeals hardships and worries of married life . 'Terrified hands ' , and 'ringed with ordeals' also indicate those unpleasant experiences that are still clinging to Aunt Jennifer's physically and mentally .
8. Do you sympathise with Aunt Jennifer ? What is the attitude of the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer ?
Ans - Yes ,we do sympathise with Aunt Jennifer. She has experienced hardships and ordeals during her married life , The attitude of the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer is equally sympathetic . The poet gives many suggestive images and symbols to present an old lady who has passed through painful experiences as well as unpleasant and terrifying periods during her married life .
B. ADDITIONAL ASNWERS SOLVED :
1. What do you learn about^ Aunt Jennifer's tigers on reading the poem ?
Ans - Aunt Jennifer's tigers were created in the panel by her own hands . They appeared to prancing across a screen . They looked sleek . They were bright like yellow topaz . They didn't fear the men beneath the tree . They paced in ' chivalric certainty '.
2. How has Aunt Jennifer created her tigers ? What traits of tigers do they reveal ?
Ans - Aunt Jennifer's tigers are her own creations . She works with wool and ivory needles . She has created them in the panel . They have all the traits of the beasts of prey who are denizens of green forests . They are well - built and well - groomed . They are chivalric and full of confidence .
3. What is the weight that lies heavy on Aunt Jennifer's hand ? How is it associated with her husband ?
Ans- Aunt Jennifer is working with ivory needles and wool . But she can't move her fingers freely in the wool . She finds it hard to pull even the ivory needles easily .The experiences of her past married life are quite bitter . She has unpleasant memories of her married life with her husband . The heavy weight of the wedding bands sits heavily upon her hand .
4. How will Aunt Jennifer's hands look when she is dead ?
Ans- When Aunt Jennifer dies , her hands will still looking terrified . Perhaps she has experienced a lot of hardships and troubles in the past . Their effect has left its print on her hands . The ordeals that crushed her married life had surrounded and cramped her fingers and hands too .
5. What will happen to Aunt Jennifer's tigers when she is dead ?
Ans - Aunt Jennifer's tiger will survive her . She has created the tigers in a panel . They are made of wool . These objects of art will survive their creator . The tigers will go on jumping , proud and unafraid .
