By Adrienne Rich
INTRODUCTION
Twentieth century poet, critic, scholar and feminist, Adrienne Rich wrote ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ as a part of her first book of poetry ‘A Change of World’ (1951).Feminism was making its presence felt in the 1950s fighting for equal voting, legal and social rights for women. This poem is Adrienne’s voice against the emotional and physical brutalities women face as part of their marriages especially, in a patriarchal society.
POETIC DEVICES
Comparison: The tigers are compared to knights from the time of chivalry in the middle ages.
Metaphor: The poet compares the yellow stripes of the tigers to a precious stone, topaz.
Contrast: nervous Aunt Jennifer and her confident tigers. Strong yellow and green colours. ‘prancing’ and ‘fluttering’ contrast as well.
Hyperbole: exaggeration of the weight of the “wedding band”
Synecdoche: “terrified hands”, here hands represent Aunt Jennifer.
Personification: Tigers have been given human characteristics e.g. “chivalric”, “prancing”, “proud”
Metonymy: “Wedding band” represents Uncle.
Paradox: ‘Fluttering’ fingers produce something that has ‘certainty’. –
Repetition: The word ‘prance’ is repeated to emphasize the pride and freedom of the tigers.
Symbolism: “Bright topaz denizens” represents tigers’ elegant colours, “massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band” represent male domination, “tigers” represent her hidden desires.
Tone: Positive and cheerful when describing the tigers. Sad and even creepy in describing the life of Aunt Jennifer.
MEANING OF THE PHRASES
Aunt Jennifer: to personalize her tone, as if we know Aunt Jennifer.
tigers prance across a screen: The tigers are not real they have been knitted/embroidered by Aunt Jennifer. She is their creator.
Bright topaz: Tigers are shiny yellow like a crystal. Topaz is a symbol of vibrancy.
denizens of a world of green: Natives of the forest. They own the place.
sleek chivalric certainty: Their movement is sleek, majestic, elegant, gallant, confident and surefooted.
fingers fluttering: Alliteration, Aunt Jennifer feels so terrified, weak and nervous that her fingers flutter.
massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band: She feels burdened by the responsibilities of the marriage.
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand: overburdened by the responsibilities of the marriage, she feels paralyzed, and unable to act.
ringed with ordeals she was mastered by: The aunt will not be able to liberate herself from the chains of suppression throughout her life.
The tigers . . . Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid: 1. The tiger in the panel that she made will go on jumping. They will be proud and unafraid. It means the male dominated society will be unaffected, unconcerned and dispassionate towards her plight. 2. Her art will survive long after her death.
A. Answer the following in 30-40 words each.
1. 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: Through describing Aunt Jennifer and her creation, the tigers, the poet wants to bring out the contrast between what she wants be like and what she is in reality. Aunt Jennifer is terrified, weak and meek. She feels paralyzed by the burden of her matrimonial obligations and is not free. Quite opposite, her tigers are fearless, full of life, and clear in their moves. They represent her suppressed self.
2. Do you sympathize with Aunt Jennifer? What is the attitude of the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer?
Ans: Yes, we do sympathize 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.
3. Aunt Jennifer’s efforts to get rid of her fear proved to be futile. Comment.
Ans: Aunt Jennifer has been a victim of oppression by the overbearing dominance of her husband. Completely terrorized by her husband she struggled for an existence and was so victimized that even after her death she will not be able to liberate her mind and spirit from the fear of male-dominance.
B. Answer the following in 150 words each.
1. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers is a voice against the plight of women in matrimony. Discuss.
OR
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers is a feminist poem. Discuss.
OR
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers is a pessimistic poem. Explain.
Ans.: As a feminist poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers vehemently raises the issue of the plight of women by their male partner for life. Marriage the most intimate and sacred of relations becomes a medium of exploitation of women where they are treated as second creatures. Jennifer stands for a woman who becomes a victim of gender roles dictated by patriarchy. Her husband is presented as a symbol of male dominance and the oppressor of the female.
Adrienne Rich effectively conveys this theme with the description of aunt Jennifer and the tigers she embroiders on the panel. She feels so helpless, bound and meek that instead of bringing out her desired self in reality she finds solace in showing that self in the creation of tigers. They are fearless, free, proud and certain. These are the qualities which the aunt Jennifer is completely devoid of. The dominating nature of her husband has forced her to be so.
The poet does not see any hope in future also. She says that women like Jennifer will never be able to come out of her misfortune. The oppression of women will continue in the same way. Men will always enjoy the freedom and authority in society.
CASE BASED LONG QUESTION
Q1. Suppose you are Allen Williams, a marriage counselor and Jennifer is a real person. You read the poem and feel touched by the description. You want to help Jennifer so that she can change her personality and enjoy her married life. Write your suggestions to her.
Allen Williams
123 Main Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
USA
16.02.2024
Dear Jennifer,
I write to you with a heart full of empathy and a deep understanding of the struggles you face in your marriage. Adrienne Rich's poignant portrayal of your inner turmoil in "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers" resonates deeply with me.
As I read about your suppressed self, symbolized by the fearless tigers you embroider, my heart aches for the vibrant spirit trapped within you. You deserve to break free from the chains of fear and meekness, to embrace the strength and courage that lie dormant within. Here are some suggestions I would like you to consider:
Self-Reflection: Take time to reflect on your values, needs, and aspirations. What kind of life do you envision for yourself? What steps can you take to move closer to that vision?
Communication: Open and honest communication with your husband is key. Consider expressing your feelings and concerns in a safe and constructive manner. Couples counseling may also be beneficial in improving communication and understanding between you and your husband.
Boundaries: Establishing healthy boundaries is essential for your well-being. Identify areas where you feel comfortable setting boundaries and communicate them assertively.
Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul. This could include practicing mindfulness, engaging in hobbies you enjoy, or seeking support from friends and loved ones.
Exploring Options: Consider exploring various options for change, whether it's seeking individual therapy, joining a support group, or exploring legal resources if you feel unsafe in your marriage.
I urge you to take small steps towards reclaiming your power – to acknowledge your strengths, to seek support from those who care for you, and to dare to dream of a life filled with love and fulfillment. Though the road may be daunting, know that I am here to walk alongside you every step of the way.
With unwavering empathy and solidarity,
Your well-wisher
Allen Williams
A marriage counselor
Q2. The different portrayals of women in the texts 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers', 'Going Places', 'Lost Spring', and 'My Mother at Sixty-six', offer insights into the experiences of women in society. You have been asked to address your peers and share the ways these portrayals highlight the diversity of the female experience. The importance of understanding each individual woman's challenges and experiences. Compose this draft, with reference to any three of these prescribed texts given above. You may begin this way:
Good morning, everyone. As I analyzed the allotted texts...
To conclude, I’d like to say that ...
[KV AGRA, PB-1, 2023-24]
Ans: Good morning, everyone. As I analyzed the allotted texts, I noticed that though each portrayal of women was unique, they all offered varied insights into the experiences of women in society. To begin with, Aunt Jennifer was portrayed as a victim of patriarchy, living in a world where women were expected to conform to societal norms and expectations and was unable to attain freedom and strength she desired, due to the limitations imposed upon her by society. In contrast, Sophie was portrayed as ambitious and determined to break free from societal norms. She refused to be limited by her gender and sought to challenge the restrictions placed upon her. Sophie's mother, on the other hand, from a generation prior, had chosen to conform and sacrifice her individuality to societal expectations. Similarly in "Lost Spring," the grandmother and daughter-in-law, in Firozabad, were portrayed as resilient in the face of poverty and the societal constraints of their caste. However, unlike Sophie’s and Aunt Jennifer’s need to find an outlet, they found ways to make the best of their situation, despite the limitations placed upon them. When we analyse the portrayal of the aged mother, in "My Mother at Sixty-six,", she is presented as vulnerable and in need of protection. Sadly, it does make one wonder about the unaddressed vulnerability of Sophie’s mother and the grandmother in “Lost Spring”. A point worth considering is that Kamala Das’ mother’s acceptance of her circumstances comes across as a voluntary decision, whereas that of the women in “Lost Spring” is a akin to resignation. These portrayals of women offer valuable insights into the experiences of women in our society -from victimization to the resilience in the face of poverty - and offer us important lessons about strength, vulnerability, and the need for empathy and respect. To conclude, I’d like to say that as readers, we can learn from their experiences and strive towards a more equitable and just society.
These characters, stress that it is important to recognize the complexities of each woman’s experiences, and refrain from passing sweeping judgements as women are not a uniform group, but rather unique individuals.
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