MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD

Part 1: The Cutting of My Long Hair

By Zitkala Sa

A. Answer the following in 30-40 words each.

1. What does Zitkala-Sa remember about her ‘first day in the land of apples'?

Ans. Zitkala recalls that it was a bitterly cold day and there was snow on the ground. The trees were bare. There was a large bell that rang for breakfast and its loud metallic sound crashed through the belfry overhead and penetrated through her sensitive ears.

2. What are the views of the author about the dress code in the school?

Ans. The author condemns the rigid school dress code in the school. The Indian girls wore stiff squeaking shoes and closely clinging dresses. The small girls donned sleeved aprons and shingled hair. According to the author girls looked immodestly dressed. She “felt like sinking to the floor”.

3. Why did the author begin to cry in the dining hall?

Ans. Zitkala-Sa was not familiar with what she calls ‘eating by formula’. She noticed in the dining hall that as the bell was tapped, all the pupils pulled out their chairs and kept standing. Zitkala also pulled out hers but sat on it. When a second bell rang and all the students were seated, she had to crawl back to her chair. A man’s voice was heard and she noticed that all the pupils had bent their heads over their plates. On the third bell they picked up their forks and began eating. She noticed a white faced woman glowering down at her. Terrified Zitkala felt extremely embarrassed and started crying.

4. What did Judewin tell Zitkala-Sa? Why did she decide to rebel?

Ans. Judewin knew a few words of English. She had overheard the paleface woman. She was talking about cutting their long, heavy hair. Judewin said, “We have to submit, because they are strong.” Zitkala-Sa had heard from her mother that only unskilled warriors, who were captured, had their hair shingled by the enemy. Among their people, short hair was worn by mourners, and shingled hair by cowards. Since she was neither, so she decided to rebel.

5. What did Zitkala-Sa feel when her long hair was cut?

Ans. When she heard them remove one of her thick braids, she lost her spirit. She had suffered utmost indignities there. People had stared at her. She had been tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet and now her long hair was shingled like a coward’s. In her anguish, she moaned for her mother. She felt herself as one of the many little animals driven by a herder.

Part 2: We Too Are Human Beings

By Bama

B. Answer the following in 30-40 words each.

1. Why did Bama use to take longer to reach home from school?

Ans: The house of Bama was not at a far off place from her school and it was hardly a ten minute walk. But Bama took a long time to reach home from school. Many things would attract her and prevent her from moving further. She observed many fruits and sweets being sold on the shops. She would stop to see the monkeys performing, snake charmer, a cyclist, a street play, a puppet and a magic show. She would watch the huge bell hanging at the temple and Pongal offerings at the temple.

2. What did Bama see that made her double up and shriek with laughter?

Ans: Bama saw an elder of their street coming along from the direction of the bazaar. He was carrying a small packet, holding it out by its string. The manner in which he was walking along made Bama want to double up. She wanted to shriek with laughter at the funny sight. The elder went straight up to the landlord. Then he bowed low and extended the packet towards him. The landlord opened the parcel and began to eat the vadais.

3. What explanation did Bama’s elder brother Annan give her about the elder’s “funny” behaviour?

Ans: Annan told Bama that the man was not being funny when he carried the package by the string for his landlord. The upper caste people believed that others must not touch them. If they did, they would be polluted. That was the reason why the elder man had to carry the package by its string.

4. How did Bama react on learning about untouchability?

Ans: Bama became sad on listening how the upper caste people behaved towards low caste persons like them. She felt provoked and angry. She wanted to touch those vadais herself. She wondered why their elders should run errands for the miserly rich upper caste landlords and hand them over things reverently, bowing and shrinking all the while.

5. How did the landlord’s man behave with Annan?

Ans: The man thought that Annan looked unfamiliar, and asked his name respectfully. However, his manner changed as soon as Annan told his name. The man immediately asked the name of the street he lived in. The purpose was to identify his caste from the name of the street.

6. What advice did Annan offer Bama? What was the result?

Ans: Annan advised Bama to study with care and learn all that she could. If she was always ahead in her lessons, people would come to her of their own accord and attach themselves to her. Bama followed her brother’s advice and studied hard. She stood first in her class, and because of that, many people became her friends.

C. Answer the following in 150 words each.

1. The two accounts that you have read in the chapter are based in two distant cultures. What is the commonality of theme found in both of them?

Ans: The first account given in the unit ‘Memories of Childhood’ is by a Native American, Zitkala sa, set in the nineteenth century. The second is from a Tamil Indian, Bama, occurred in the twentieth century. However from different culture and time, they both reflect on the relationship of the marginalized communities with the mainstream. These are the true stories of discrimination, oppression, humiliation, and suffering that the writers faced as young, members of the marginalized communities.

Zitkala-Sa highlights the severe prejudice that prevailed towards the Native American culture and women at the name of making them civilized. The school authorities made her look indecent in the school uniform and prevented her covering her bare shoulders. The brutal cutting of her long hair causes her severe humiliation by making her feel a “defeated warrior” and a “coward”. The replacing of her moccasins by squeaking shoes and “eating by formula” at breakfast table are other signs of cultural chauvinism.

Bama expresses the humiliations caused by the system of untouchability. The people of her community were never given any honor, dignity or respect as they were born in lower classes. They were made to live apart and were forced to bow and serve humbly to their masters. They had to avoid direct contact with the people of higher classes, or the things used by them.

Such inhuman and prejudiced treatment kindled a spark of rebellion in both of them. Both tried in their own way to remove the discrimination and make our world a better place to live.

2. Bama and Zitkala-Sa are victims of discrimination and oppression? How do they respond to their respective situations?

Ans: Both Bama and Zitkala-Sa are the victims of discrimination and cultural chauvinism executed on them by the mainstream. Bama suffers the caste system and untouchability which over the centuries has now been taken as an accepted norm by both, the oppressor and oppressed. The victims of caste system have also taken it as their destiny, and they don’t show any struggle or revolt against it.

Zitkala-Sa’s oppression is new in form therefore it is being forced upon them brutally. The oppressor and the oppressed both are in the stage of struggle. The mainstream, at the name of making them civilized, is forcing their culture on the Natives. Cutting of hair, dressing style, language, eating by formulae etc. all are the efforts to destroy the Native American’s culture and to overpower them completely.

Both the writers responded to their situations in their own way. Zitakala-Sa’s revolt is physical and more daring against the sudden brutality executed on her. She ignored the suggestion of Judewin to submit as they were very powerful. But Bama seems more matured in accepting her brother’s advice. Her reaction is not rash and childish. She kept patience, studied hard, earned a name for herself and then raised her voice against it in form of writing and other peaceful and more impactful ways. Zitakala-Sa also learnt it by her experience, educated herself and became an established writer. Both took education as a tool for the eradication of the oppression and ignorance from society.

ON THE FACE OF IT

By Susan Hill

A. Answer the following in 30-40 words each.

1. Who is Mr Lamb? How does Derry get into his garden?

Ans: Mr Lamb is an elderly gentleman with a rusted leg. Years ago, during the war, his real leg was blasted off. He is the sole occupant of his home which has a garden. It's filled with luscious crab apples that are orange and golden in colour. Derry instead of using the open gate, jumps over the wall to get into the garden.

2. What explanation does the small boy offer for coming into the garden? How does Mr Lamb react to it?

Ans: The boy thought that this was an empty place. He did not know there was anybody there. Mr Lamb assures him that it is all right. He does not mind his coming into the garden. He welcomes him and tries to make him feel comfortable with the place and with himself.

3. Who is Derry? What opinion does he hold about himself?

Ans: Derek, also called Derry was a young boy of 14. He was a quiet, shy and defiant boy. His face was half burnt in acid because of which he had lost his self-confidence and self-esteem. He became a pessimist and did not like to interact with others. He liked to stay alone due to which he had gone to the garden, which he thought was a secluded place.

4. How do people react when they look at Derry?

Ans: On looking at Derry’s face they find it bad and frightful. They think that it is the ugliest thing they have ever seen. They call him a poor boy as one side of his face has been burnt by acid. Some of them are afraid of his ugly and horrible face.

5. Mr. Lamb means to say that different people have different viewpoint to look at the same thing.

Ans: Some find one thing beautiful, others find it ugly. It all depends on outlook and attitude. It is, therefore, important to adopt a positive attitude towards everything just like the Princess Beauty who loved the monstrous Beast in the fairy tale. The point is that what you look like, but what you are inside.

6. What does Derry know about the fairy tale ‘Beauty and the Beast’? Why is he not convinced by its moral?

Ans: Derry had heard the tale in which Beauty liked the monstrous Beast. When she kissed him, he turned into a handsome prince. That moral was that it does not matter how you look from outside but how feel from inside. Derry was not convinced as even if someone kissed he would never change and his mother always kissed him only on the other cheek.

7. What do you know about Derry’s mother? Why did she stop him, going to Mr. Lamb?

Ans: Derry’s mother has very short role in the play, but she seems to an overprotective and insensitive to her son. She contributes to his isolation by keeping him home because of his facial injury, and treats him with a sense of pity that robs him of dignity and confidence.

She is quite skeptical of Mr Lamb and considers him to be eccentric. She claims that she has heard many things about Mr Lamb and some have also warned her against him. That is why she doesn't want Derry to meet Mr Lamb. But Derry insists and runs to Mr. Lamb’s house.

8. Explain Mr Lamb’s observation ‘Everything’s the same, but everything is different’.

Ans: What Mr Lamb wants to suggest that underneath the scars and handicaps all people have the same feelings, desires, aspirations and longings. Under the superficial differences of the body there lies the universal sameness, oneness of all human beings.

9. Why do kids call Mr Lamb ‘Lamey-Lamb’? How does he feel about it?

Ans: Mr. Lamb has an artificial leg of tin. His real leg blew off in a bomb explosion. Therefore, he walks with a limp. Children try to tease him by calling him Lamey-Lamb. But there evil desire to hurt his feelings never succeeds. Lamb feels the name suits him as he is that only. This way he has got over the pain caused by the comments of the people and has learnt to live with it.

10. Comment on the moral value of the play.

Ans: The play very strongly conveys that point that the physically disable people should never feel them inferior. Instead of focusing on what they don’t have they should pay attention on the positive side of their existence. The society instead of showing pity on them should accept them as they are. Society should treat them as normal people and must help them not feel lonely, depressed and disappointed.

B. Answer the following in 150 words each.

1. Derry and Mr. Lamb both are victims of physical impairment, but their attitudes towards life are completely different. Explain.

OR

Derry and Lamb are the two sides of the same coin. Explain.

OR

What attracts Derry to Mr. Lamb?

OR

How does the meeting with Lamb bring about a change in Derry?

Ans: Derry and Mr. Lamb are the two characters in the play. Derry is a boy of fourteen years whose half face got burnt by acid because of which he looks very ugly. Mr. Lamb is an old man whose one leg blew off in a bomb blast. Their destiny brings them to meet each other one day which inspires Derry to develop a completely changed attitude to him and life.

Derry is a quiet, shy and defiant boy. He has lost his self-confidence and self-esteem because of his disfigured face. He became a pessimist and did not like to interact with others. He thinks that people consider him ugly like the devil and they are afraid of him. He gets infuriated when people sympathize with him.

On the contrary, Mr. Lamb has a completely different view about life and disability. He is an optimist and never allows his disability and people to make him feel miserable. Mr. Lamb’s conversation that everyone and everything is essentially the same, the notion of beauty is relative and his concept of the world and friendship baffle but appeal to Derry and he gets fascinated by the old man.

His hope and positivity inspire Derry to come out of the shell of inhibition, inferiority and insecurity. Derry learns to love his life in spite of his disability and becomes determined to live and face the world boldly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE ENEMY

By Pearl S. Buck

A. Answer the following in 30-40 words each.

1. Who was Dr Sadao? Where was his house?

Ans: Dr Sadao Hoki was an eminent Japanese surgeon and scientist. He had spent eight valuable years of his youth in America to learn all that could be learnt of surgery and medicine there. He was perfecting a discovery which would render wounds entirely clean. Dr Sadao’s house was built on rocks well above a narrow beach that was outlined with bent pines. It was on a spot of the Japanese coast.

2. What do you learn about Sadao’s father from the story ‘The Enemy’?

Ans. Sadao’s father was a visionary. He loved the Japanese race, customs, and manners. He knew that the islands near the seacoast were the steppingstones to the future for Japan. He believes in creating fortune by hard work not by luck. He was strict father. He never played or joked with is son. His main concern was to provide the best education to his son and making him a successful man. He sent his son to America at the age of twenty-two to learn all about surgery and medicine. It was his support and concern that Sadao became the most famous surgeon and scientist of Japan.

3. Where did Sadao meet Hana? Why did he wait to fall in love with her?

Ans. Sadao met Hana by chance at an American professor’s house. Professor Harley and his wife had been kind people. They held a party at their home for their few foreign students. Hana was a new student. He waited to fall in love with her until he was sure she was Japanese. It was because his father would never have received her unless she had been pure in her race.

4. When and where did Sadao marry Hana? How was their married life?

Ans. Sadao married Hana when they returned to Japan after finishing their work at medical school. Sadao’s father saw her. The marriage was then arranged in the old Japanese way. They had been married years enough to have two children. Their married life was quite happy. They still loved each other.

5. Why was Dr Sadao being kept in Japan and not sent abroad with the troops?

Ans. Sadao was an eminent surgeon and a scientist. He was perfecting a discovery which would render wounds entirely clean. Secondly, the old General was being treated medically for a condition for which he might need an operation. Due to these two reasons Sadao was being kept in Japan and not sent abroad with the troops.

6. In what condition did they find the man? How did they come to know his identity?

Ans. Sadao and Hana saw a figure staggering out of the sea and falling after a few steps. Thinking him to a be a fisherman they ran to help him. They found the man unconscious with his face down in the sand. As they turned the man’s head, they saw that he was a white man with long yellow hair. His young face had a rough yellow beard. He was unconscious. From his battered cap they learnt that he was a sailor from an American warship.

7. What dilemma did Sadao face about the young white man?

Ans. The white man was badly wounded by a bullet. He needed immediate medical care. Dr Sadao could do so. But if they sheltered a white man in their house, they would be arrested. On the other hand, if they turned him over as a prisoner, he would certainly die. Therefore, it was difficult for Dr Sadao to come to any decision.

8. Why did they decide to take the American into their house?

Ans. Sadao and Hana both had the feeling for repulsion for the white man. They thought of throwing him back into the sea, but they could not do so. Sadao knew that the man was his enemy. He would have handed him over to the police if he had not been wounded. Therefore, they thought of saving his life first, and then, handing him over to police as a prisoner of war.

9. Why did Hana have to wash the wounded man herself?

Ans. Hana told Yumi to fetch hot water and bring it to the room where the white man was. Yumi put down the wooden bucket but refused to wash the dirty white man. Hana cried at her severely. She told her to do what her master commanded her to do. The fierce look of resistance upon Yumi’s dull face made Hana afraid. Under these circumstances, Hana had no option but to wash the white man herself.

10. How did the servants react when their master told them about the wounded white man?

Ans. The servants were frightened and puzzled. The old gardener told Hana that the master ought not to heal the wound of that white man. He said that the white man ought to die. First, he was shot. Then the sea caught him and wounded him with her rocks. If the master healed what the gun and the sea had done, they would take revenge on them.

11. What two things happened on the seventh day after that?

Ans. In the morning the servants left together with their belongings tied in large square cotton kerchiefs. Hana paid them off gracefully and thanked them for all that they had done for her. In the afternoon, a messenger came to the door in official uniform. He came to ask Dr Sadao to come to the palace as the old General was in pain again.

12. Why did Dr Sadao tell the General everything about the man he had operated upon?

Ans. Dr Sadao could not report to the police about the American soldier. He wanted to get rid of the man for the sake of his wife. He explained his position to the General. He did not care for that man, but since he had operated upon the man, he could not kill him. The General praised his skill, called him indispensable and promised that he would allow nothing to happen to Dr Sadao.

13. What plan did the old General suggest for getting rid of the ‘man’?

Ans. He thought that it would be best if the white man could be quietly killed—not by the doctor, but by someone who did not know him. He offered to send two of his private assassins any night to his home. These capable assassins would make no noise. They knew the trick of inward bleeding. They could even remove the body. Dr Sadao had to leave the outer partition of the room open.

14. How did Dr Sadao get rid of the man?

Ans. When General’s assassins did not arrive to kill the American soldier Dr Sadao himself devised a plan of getting rid of him. He advised the man to row to the little island not far from the coast. He could live there till he saw a Korean fishing boat pass by.

To execute his plan Dr Sadao secretly bought a stout boat and put food and bottled water in it. He also put two quilts. After supper, he checked the American again. He gave him his flashlight and told him to signal two flashes if he needed more food. One signal would mean he was OK. He had to signal at sunset and not in the darkness. He also instructed him not lit up fire and eat raw fish. The man was dressed in Japanese clothes and his blond head was covered with a black cloth.

15. “I wonder why I could not kill him?” What makes Dr Sadao think so?

Ans. After the departure of the young American, Dr Sadao thinks of the other white faces he had come across. The Americans were full of prejudice, and he had found it bitter to live there. The white people were repulsive even in their kindness. It was relief to be openly at war with them. Then he remembered the youthful, haggard face of the prisoner. It was also white and repulsive. He thought it strange that he spared his enemy. He wondered why he could not kill him.

16. Write a short note on the General in the story.

Ans. The General was a very selfish man in the story. He pretends to be a patriot but serves himself only. For he may need an emergency operation and trusts no one except Dr. Sadao, he does not send him with the troop. He lightly takes the issue of saving the American soldier for his own sake only. He does not send his assassins may be because he did not want to get involved in it or he might be thinking Sadao to kill the American. The General was indeed a very self-absorbed person.

A. Answer the following in 150 words each.

1. Do you think the doctor’s final solution to the problem was the best possible one in the circumstances? Why/Why not? Explain with reason(s). 

OR

Sadao was a patriot or traitor? Discuss with reasons. 

OR

Sadao was more loyal to his profession than to his country. Discuss.

Ans. A doctor’s duty is always to save his patient under any circumstance. He must treat his patient even if he is his enemy. This is what Sadao does in the story. Although, while doing so he also exhibits his unquestionable loyalty towards his country also.

Like any patriot, Sadao’s first thought was also of throwing the American back to the sea but the doctor in him could not let him do so. The man was badly injured by a bullet and the sea and rocks had made his condition even worse. He would sure die if not treated immediately. Sadao took him into his house, did not care for the anger of his servants and danger to his reputation. He did not care even for his wife while operating the white man. His hands acted upon his patient adroitly and saved him against all odds.

But his efforts to save the white man do not prove him less faithful to his country. Sadao’s plan was to first cure him and then hand him over to the police as a prisoner of war. While operating him also he does not show any affinity to the man. Sadao and Hana do not talk to him unnecessarily. They do not even want to know his name. Moreover, he informs General about it which is the highest proof of his faithfulness to his country.

After the futile wait of three days for the assassins he was left with no other option than to himself do something. Being a doctor, he could not kill the man he had saved. Therefore, he was very right in letting the American escape in a Korean ship. According to me, Sadao proves himself equally truthful to his country and his profession.

2. Give a character sketch of Hana Honki.

Ans. Hana is an epitome of a loving, dedicated, and caring wife. She is devoted to her husband and loves her children. That is why, she asks her husband not to take a risk in healing the wound of an enemy soldier. But when she finds him determined to do his professional duty, she agrees to extend her full cooperation. She stood by Sadao against all odds. She assisted him during the operation though she felt sick and vomited. She gave the man anesthesia also.

She is full of human considerations. She observes deep red scars on the American soldier's neck and realizes that he must have been tortured. She develops tender feelings for him for a while. Though, she is sure that the American is their enemy, but she obeys her husband and nurses him.

She is a dignified mistress also. When Yumi denied washing the white man Hana did it herself. When the servants disapprove of their action of harboring the enemy soldier, she does not lose her patience. She does not utter even a single bad word to them. When they leave the house on the seventh day, they are paid off by Hana. It reveals her kind and generous nature.

 

JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH

By Tishani Doshi

A. Answer the following in 30-40 words each.

1. Comment on the Significance of the Title ‘Journey to the End of The Earth’?

Ans. The North and the South poles can be called the two ends of the earth. The author travels to Antarctica, southernmost part of Earth, after crossing nine time zones, three water bodies, three ecosystems and six checkpoints. This distance suggests as if the writer reaches Antarctica after crossing the whole planet. The planet also gives the impression of being isolated from the world we live in. It is without human existence, there is no biodiversity, no sign of billboards or trees. It is a place far away from the crowd noise and pollution. Thus, ‘Journey to the End of the Earth’ is an apt title.

2. Describe the author’s emotions when she first set foot on Antarctica.

Ans. Tishani Doshi’s initial reaction was of relief as she had travelled for over hundred hours. This was followed by wonder at Antarctica’s white landscape and uninterrupted blue horizon, its immensity, isolation and at how there could have been a time when India and Antarctica could have been a part of the same landmass.

3. How is present day Antarctica different from Gondwana?

Ans. Gondwana was a giant amalgamated southern supercontinent. The climate was much warmer, hosting a huge variety of flora and fauna. Gondwana thrived for about 500 million years. Subsequently, when dinosaurs were wiped out and the age of mammals happened, the landmass separated into countries, shaping the globe as we know it today.

4. Why is Antarctica the place to go to if we want to study the earth’s past, present and future?

Ans. The Antarctica landmass, that was an amalgamated southern supercontinent called Gondwana dates back to 650 million years. It can help us understand better the formation of continents and mountains like the Himalayas as they are in the modem world. Its ice-cores hold over half-million-year-old carbon records that are vital to study the Earth’s past, present and future.

5. Why is a visit to Antarctica important to realize the effect of global warming?

Ans. Antarctica is the ideal place to study the effect of environmental changes as it has a very simple ecosystem and lacks biodiversity. It is here that one can see the effect of melting glaciers and collapsing ice-shelves and how this is likely to raise the water levels in the sea and the ocean, as a result of which many low-lying regions will be submerged under water.

6. What are the indications of the future of humankind?

Ans. The future of the humankind can get in danger if the emission of carbon-dioxide and other poisonous gases go on in the same manner. These gases deplete the ozone layer and allow the ultra-violet rays of the sun to enter the earth’s environment. This causes the rise in temperature of the earth and giving rise to the phenomenon called global warming. Increases temperature can melt the ice of Antarctica, and cause other environmental problems, thus jeopardizing the future of humankind.

7. What are Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school students in the Students on Ice expedition?

Ans. Geoff Green, the founder of The Students on Ice programme, got tired of carting celebrities and retired, rich, curiosity-seekers who could only ‘give’ back in a limited way. With Students on Ice, he offers the future generation of policymakers a life-changing experience at an age when they’re ready to absorb, learn, and act. He believes that giving them the exposure of Antarctica will be beneficial to the environment.

8. What are phytoplanktons? How are they important to our ecosystem?

Ans. The microscopic phytoplankton are tiny forms of plant life on the sea. They nourish and sustain the entire southern ocean’s food chain. They are single-celled plants and use the energy of the sun to assimilate carbon supplying oxygen and synthesize compounds. Depletion of the ozone layer that protects us from the harmful rays of the sun adversely affects the activities of the phytoplankton. Any further depletion in the ozone layer will hamper their activity which, in turn, is bound to affect the growth of marine animals and birds and even the global carbon cycle. Thus to save the big organisms the small organisms need to be cared for because even minor changes have huge repercussions.

THE TIGER KING

By Kalki

A. Answer the following in 30-40 words each.

1. Why does the author give detailed identification of the Tiger King?

Ans: The author has no intention of praising the king. In fact, he ridicules him by giving his abnormally long identification and in the last of it he shortens it to ‘The Tiger King’. In the whole story also though he is presented as a determined and fearless king but in reality, the writer has shown him as a selfish, short sighted, and foolish king.

2. What predictions did the astrologers make at the birth of the tiger king?

Ans: The astrologers predicted that the newly born prince will grow up to become the hero of heroes, bravest of the bravest and a great warrior. He also predicted that the baby was born in the hour of the bull. The bull and tiger were enemies. Therefore, he would die because of the tiger.

3. Who is the Tiger King? What predictions did the astrologers make at the birth?

Ans: The Tiger King is the king of Pratibandapuram, Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur. The astrologers predicted that the newly born prince will grow up to become the hero of heroes, bravest of the bravest and a great warrior. He also predicted that the baby was born in the hour of the bull. The bull and tiger were enemies. Therefore, he would die because of the tiger.

4. What did the royal infant grow up to be? What justification did he give before starting the tiger hunt?

Ans: The royal infant, Jung Jung Bahadur, grew to be a fine and healthy boy. He was brought up by an English nanny, drank the milk of an English cow, and tutored in English by an Englishman. He got the control of his state when he came of age at twenty. For him killing tigers was not a sin because he would kill them in self-defense.

5. What happened when the Maharaja killed the first tiger?

Ans: After killing the first tiger the Maharaja was thrilled beyond measure. He called the state astrologer and showed him the dead body. The state astrologer said that the Maharaja might kill 99 tigers in the same manner, but he would not be able to kill the hundredth one. If it happens, he promises that he would set his books of astrology on fire, cut off his tuft, crop his hair short and become an insurance agent.

6. What preparation did the Maharaja make before starting on his mission of killing 100 tigers?

Ans: The Maharaja was determined to prove astrologers wrong by killing 100 tigers. First of all, he banned tiger hunting by anyone except himself in Pratibandapuram. Therefore, from that day onwards it was celebration time for all the tigers of Pratibandapuram. A proclamation was issued to the effect that if anyone dared to fling so much as a stone at a tiger, all his wealth and property would be confiscated. Lastly, the Maharaja vowed he would attend to all other matters only after killing the hundred tigers.

7. Why was the Maharaja in danger of losing his throne?

Ans: The Maharaja had annoyed a high-ranking British officer by refusing him permission to hunt tigers in Pratibandapuram. Then the officer requested for only a photograph of himself holding the gun and standing over the tiger’s dead body. The Maharaja would do the actual killing. The Maharaja did not accept even this proposal as it might attract other officers for the tiger hunt. Therefore, the Maharaja stood in danger of losing his throne because he prevented a British officer from fulfilling his desire.

8. How did the Maharaja manage to save his throne?

Ans: The Maharaja had annoyed a high-rank British officer by denying him the tiger hunting. He thought to make him happy by bribing the officer’s wife with a gift of a diamond ring. A famous British company of jewelers in Calcutta sent fifty samples of expensive diamond rings of different designs. The Maharaja sent the whole lot to the British officer’s good lady. He expected her to choose one or two rings and send the rest back. But she simply sent a letter of thanks. The Maharaja was happy that though he had lost three lakhs of rupees, he had managed to retain his kingdom.

9. What was the “unforeseen hurdle brought his mission to a standstill”? How did the Maharaja resolve it?

Ans: The Maharaja had killed only 70 tigers in 10 years when he realized that the tiger population became instinct in his estate. Then he married to a girl of that royal family which had a large number of tiger population in their estate. Each time he visited his father-in-law, he killed five or six tigers. In this manner he raised the tally of tigers killed by him from seventy to ninety-nine.

10. “It seemed easier to find tiger’s milk than a live tiger” Why? What does it imply?

Ans. The Maharaja’s anxiety reached a fever pitch when there remained just one tiger to achieve his tally of a hundred. He had this one thought during the day and the same dream at night. By then, the had become extinct even in his father-in-law’s kingdom. It became impossible to locate tigers anywhere. One can’t get tiger’s milk without finding the tigress. Yet it is thought easier than finding a live tiger. The sentence implies the difficulty in locating a tiger.

11. Why did the Maharaja first give three-year exemption and then double the tax?

Ans: The Maharaj’s anxiety had reached a fever pitch to find the hundredth tiger. After a long wait, a news came from the villagers that in his own state sheep had started getting disappear. It meant there was a tiger. The Maharaja announced a three-year exemption from all taxes for that village and set out on the hunt at once. For many days he could not locate the tiger. The Maharaja’s fury and obstinacy mounted alarmingly. Many officers lost their jobs. One day when his rage was at its height, the Maharaja called the dewan and ordered him to double the land tax forthwith.

12. How did the dewan try to help the Maharaja achieve his mission?

Ans: The dewan knew the danger of the delay in finding the 100th tiger. He brought an old tiger from the People’s Park in Madras. He kept it hidden in his house. At midnight he and his wife dragged the tiger to the car and shoved it into the seat. He drove the car himself straight to the forest and hauled the beast out of the car and pushed it down to the ground near the Maharaja’s camp.

13. Who had killed the hundredth tiger?

Ans: When the tiger came within the sight of the Maharaja he took a careful aim but missed it. In the elation of having killed the hundredth tiger, he could not see that the tiger was not killed but only fainted. After the Maharaja had gone, the hunters noticed the beast still alive. For the fear of losing their job they did not inform the Maharaja that he had missed the target. Therefore, one of the hunters took aim from a distance of one foot and shot the tiger dead.

14. How did the Tiger King meet his end? What is ironic about his fate?

Ans: The Tiger King met his end through the wooden tiger, which e had bought as a gift for his son on his third birthday. While he was playing with his son, a splinter of the poorly made toy tiger pricked the king’s hand. The infection turned into a sore, which spread all over his arm. Despite the best surgeons, the king’s life could not be saved. The irony is in the fact that the hundredth tiger was a wooden toy that killed the king. Thus, the astrologer’s prediction about the death of the Tiger King proved to be correct.

Note: Prepare the SAQs only, to frame the answer of an LAQ.

 

B. Extract Based Questions

Extract 1: 

The Maharaja’s anxiety reached a fever pitch when there remained just one tiger to achieve his tally of a hundred. He had this one thought during the day and the same dream at night. By this time the tiger farms had run dry even in his father-in-law’s kingdom. It became impossible to locate tigers anywhere. Yet only one more was needed. If he could kill just that one single beast, the Maharaja would have no fears left. He could give up tiger hunting altogether.

But he had to be extremely careful with that last tiger. What had the late chief astrologer said? “Even after killing ninety-nine tigers the Maharaja should beware of the hundredth...’’ True enough. The tiger was a savage beast after all. One had to be wary of it. But where was that hundredth tiger to be found? It seemed easier to find tiger’s milk than a live tiger.

1. In the passage, the term "fever pitch" is used to describe the Maharaja's state of mind. What does "fever pitch" mean in this context?

2. What does "wary" mean in the passage?

3. What was the significance of the hundredth tiger to the Maharaja?

a) It would mark the end of his tiger hunting days.

b) It would leave no threat to his life. 

c) It was a rare white tiger he wished to display.

d) It was a notorious man-eating tiger he wanted to capture.

4. Why did the Maharaja have to be cautious when dealing with the hundredth tiger?

1. Tigers were ruthless and powerful. 
2. The astrologer had warned him about its danger.
3. It was the last tiger left in the kingdom.
4. The Maharaja had already failed to capture it multiple times.

a) 1 and 2

b) 2 and 3

c) 3 and 4

d) 2 and 4

Extract 2: 

From that day onwards it was celebration time for all the tigers inhabiting Pratibandapuram. The state banned tiger hunting by anyone except the Maharaja. A Proclamation was issued to the effect that if anyone dared to fling so much as a stone at a tiger, all his wealth and property would be confiscated.
The Maharaja vowed he would attend to all other matters only after killing the hundred tigers. Initially the king seemed well set to realize his ambition.

Not that he faced no dangers. There were times when the bullet missed its mark, the tiger leapt upon him and he fought the beast with his bare hands. Each time it was the Maharaja who won.

1. The tone of the author when he says, ‘it was celebration time for all tigers’ is

a) solemn.
b) sarcastic.
c) sympathetic.
d) mocking.

2. Pick the pair of TRUE statements based on the extract.

1. Tiger hunting was absolutely banned in the kingdom.

2. The Maharaja was extremely courageous and fearless.

3. The Maharaja paid no heed to matters related to his kingdom.

4. The Maharaja was able to fulfil his ambition, without any perils.

a) 1 and 2 

b) 2 and 4 

c) 2 and 3 

d) 1 and 4

3. In which of the following options can the underlined words NOT be replaced with ‘proclamation’?

a) The politician shared his manifesto during the election meeting.

b) All the citizens of the kingdom had to abide by the emperor’s edict.

c) The communique made by the official had a disastrous effect.

d) The decree of the state forbade cruelty against animals.

4. On the basis of this passage, pick the option that enumerates the characteristics of the king.

1. Gullible 

2. Arrogant 

3. Wilful 

4. Aggressive 

5. Apathetic 

6. Scrupulous

a) 1, 2 and 6 

b) 3, 4 and 6 

c) 3, 5 and 6 

d) 2, 3 and 5

 

 

 

CBSE English Core

Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

By Adrienne Rich

A close study of freedom, patriarchy, artistic expression, oppression and the resilient self.

▶ VIEW THE PPT

Poet Adrienne Rich

Text Poem

Class XI–XII

Central Concern Freedom & Oppression

Key Idea Art & Selfhood

Learning & Revision Map

Introduction Meaning of Lines Stanza Analysis Technical Mastery Looking Beneath the Surface Themes CBSE Exam Zone Quick Revision

A. Introduction: The Poet and the Socio-Historical Context

To approach the works of Adrienne Rich is to engage with one of the 20th century’s most formidable feminist theorists. Her 1951 collection, A Change of World, arrived at a strategic juncture in literary history, serving as a critical salvo against entrenched patriarchal structures. While her later work expanded into a "strong resistance to racism and militarism," this early poem focuses specifically on the domestic sphere as a site of political and personal struggle.

The 1950s feminist landscape was defined by an arduous friction; women were actively campaigning for equal legal, social, and voting rights in an era that demanded rigid conformity to gender roles. Within this restrictive environment, "Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers" articulates the emotional and physical brutalities encountered within the confines of marriage.

Rich’s objective is to expose how patriarchal dictates transform a sacred union into a medium of exploitation and paralysis. This socio-historical grounding allows us to pivot from the poet’s broader theoretical background into the visceral, embroidered world inhabited by Aunt Jennifer.

B. Meaning of the Lines and 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.

C. Stanza-by-Stanza Textual Deconstruction

A rigorous analysis of this text necessitates a stanza-based approach to uncover the layered juxtaposition between the "creator" and her "creation." This structure serves to highlight the tragic ontological gap between a woman’s internal aspirations and the external reality that suppresses them.

Stanza I: The Vision of Freedom

The opening stanza presents the tigers as "bright topaz denizens" prancing across a vibrant "world of green." The term "denizens" establishes them as natives who possess an inherent right to their space, while "sleek chivalric certainty" imbues them with a majestic, gallant confidence.

Significance: By linking "topaz" to the vibrancy of precious stones, Rich emphasizes the immense value and vitality of the tigers. This stands in stark opposition to the devaluation of Aunt Jennifer herself. The tigers’ fearlessness toward the "men beneath the tree" represents an idealized autonomy that is entirely absent from the protagonist’s daily existence.

Stanza II: The Reality of Oppression

Rich employs a jarring tonal shift to juxtapose the ethereal nature of art with the visceral reality of domestic subjugation. Aunt Jennifer’s "fingers fluttering" through her wool signify a state of chronic nervous exhaustion and terror. Even the "ivory needle" becomes a weight too heavy for her diminished agency to pull.

Significance: The "massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band" serves as a potent metonym for patriarchal control. This is not merely a domestic observation; it characterizes the home as a political site where the protagonist is stripped of her identity. The ring "sits heavily," signifying a paralysis of will induced by the crushing obligations of a male-dominated institution.

Stanza III: The Paradox

The final stanza evaluates the finality of Jennifer’s "ordeals." Even in death, her "terrified hands" lie "ringed," suggesting a state of being "mastered" that transcends the grave.

Significance: The paradox lies in the survival of the art. While the creator is consumed by the "ordeals" she was mastered by, the tigers "go on prancing, proud and unafraid." This suggests that while the individual woman remains a victim of a dispassionate societal system, the human impulse for freedom—expressed through art—remains immortal. This interplay of heavy themes is supported by the technical craftsmanship detailed in the following compendium.

D. Technical Mastery

Literary Devices	Phrase / Concept	Significance
Comparison	Tigers vs. Knights	Compares the tigers to knights of the Middle Ages, establishing a "chivalric" code of honor and bravery Jennifer cannot claim.
Metaphor	“Bright topaz denizens”	Links the tigers to precious stones to emphasize their inherent vibrancy and value in contrast to Jennifer's drab reality.
Metonymy	“Wedding band”	Represents the “Uncle” and the systemic weight of patriarchal marriage that paralyzes the wearer.
Synecdoche	“Terrified hands”	Strips the protagonist of her humanity, reducing her whole being to a state of reactive physiological trauma.
Paradox	“Fluttering” fingers creating “certainty”	Illustrates the irony that a physically weakened, terrified woman can project such majestic confidence through her art.
Hyperbole	“Massive weight”	Exaggerates the physical weight of a ring to convey the immense psychological burden of marital subjugation.
Personification	“Chivalric” and “proud” tigers	Bestows human virtues of gallantry and self-assurance onto the animals to highlight their owner’s lack of agency.
Contrast	“Prancing” vs. “fluttering”	Juxtaposes the majestic, rhythmic movement of the tigers with the weak, erratic movement of the oppressed creator.
Repetition	“prance”	The word is repeated to emphasize the pride and freedom of the tigers.
Symbolism	“Bright topaz denizens”	represents tigers’ elegant colours,
Symbolism	“massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band”	represent male domination,
Symbolism	“tigers”	represent her hidden desires.
Color Imagery	“bright topaz” & “world of green”	establishes a tone of vitality and life. This vibrant palette belongs exclusively to the tigers, suggesting that Aunt Jennifer's own world is devoid of such color and value.
Auditory Repetition	“fingers fluttering” / “prance”	mimics the physical sensation of trembling, reinforcing a tone of pervasive anxiety. The repetition of "prance" underscores the tigers' enduring, rhythmic freedom.

Tone: Positive and cheerful when describing the tigers. Sad and even creepy in describing the life of Aunt Jennifer.

LOOKING BENEATH THE SURFACE

Creator vs. Creation

The poem’s central tension lies in the contrast between Aunt Jennifer and the tigers she creates. Her artistic creation possesses the freedom, confidence and fearlessness that she herself cannot experience in her actual life.

Art as a Sanctuary

The tigers represent Jennifer’s "hidden desires." Denied strength and certainty in her actual life, she externalizes these qualities through her needlework. Art provides a sanctuary—a realm where her suppressed vibrancy can exist independently of her physical subjugation.

The Paradox of Immortality

While the creator is consumed by the "ordeals" she was mastered by, the tigers "go on prancing, proud and unafraid." The individual woman remains a victim of a dispassionate societal system, but the human impulse for freedom—expressed through art—remains immortal.

E. Themes

Theme 1: Male Dominance and Gender Roles

Rich characterizes marriage as a medium of exploitation. Jennifer is the representative figure for women victimized by patriarchal dictates. Her husband is not a character but a presence defined by dominance; the "wedding band" is the instrument of his authority, rendering Jennifer a "mastered" subject.

Theme 2: The Resilient Self vs. The Suppressed Self

The tigers represent Jennifer’s "hidden desires." Denied strength and certainty in her actual life, she externalizes these qualities through her needlework. Art provides a sanctuary—a realm where her suppressed vibrancy can exist independently of her physical subjugation.

Theme 3: The Futility of Escape

The poem offers a pessimistic outlook on the cycle of oppression. By noting that Jennifer remains "ringed with ordeals" even after death, Rich suggests that the system of male authority is dispassionate and unaffected by the victim's plight. The "chains of suppression" are depicted as lifelong and beyond.

F. CBSE EXAM ZONE — Short Answer Questions

1. What is the irony reflected in the contrast between Aunt Jennifer and the tigers she embroidered? CBSE 2026

The tigers are proud, fearless and free, while Aunt Jennifer is frightened, oppressed and burdened by her marriage. The irony lies in the fact that she can create through art the freedom she cannot experience in her own life.

2. Why has Adrienne Rich used the word “Uncle’s” instead of simply “Aunt Jennifer’s” or “her” wedding band?

The possessive “Uncle’s” shifts attention towards the husband’s authority within the marriage. It emphasises his power over Aunt Jennifer and makes the wedding band a symbol of patriarchal control rather than merely a piece of jewellery.

3. Why does the poem refer to Aunt Jennifer simply as “Aunt” in the final stanza? CBSE 2026

The change from “Aunt Jennifer” to “Aunt” broadens her experience beyond an individual woman. She becomes representative of many women who experience oppression and whose identities are restricted by patriarchal structures.

4. How does the phrase “will go on prancing” contribute to the poem’s idea about art? CBSE 2025

The phrase suggests the permanence of art. Aunt Jennifer’s life and suffering are temporary, but her artistic creation will survive her. The tigers will continue to embody her desire for freedom even after her death.

G. Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers is a voice against the plight of women in matrimony. Discuss.

Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers is a feminist poem. Discuss. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers is a pessimistic poem. Explain.

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.

Q2. Aunt Jennifer and Gandhi in Indigo respond to oppression in very different circumstances. Compare their struggles for freedom, focusing on their methods, challenges and outcomes. CBSE 2026

Aunt Jennifer and Gandhi both confront oppression, but their situations and methods are very different. Aunt Jennifer suffers within an oppressive marriage and is unable to challenge her circumstances openly. Her “terrified hands” and the “massive weight” of the wedding band suggest fear and emotional bondage. She expresses her suppressed desire for freedom through art. The fearless tigers she creates become symbols of the courage and independence she cannot experience directly.

Gandhi, in Indigo, confronts the exploitation of poor peasants by British landlords. Unlike Aunt Jennifer, he responds through direct action, non-violent resistance and collective mobilisation. He investigates the peasants’ grievances, refuses to leave Champaran and negotiates with the authorities. His efforts result in compensation and, more importantly, greater confidence among the peasants.

Thus, both texts present the struggle against oppression, but their outcomes differ. Aunt Jennifer’s resistance remains largely symbolic through her art, while Gandhi’s resistance produces social and political change. Both, however, underline the human desire for dignity and freedom.

Q3. Suppose you are Allen Williams, a marriage counselor and Aunt Jennifer is a real person. You read the poem and feel touched by the description. You want to help Aunt 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 Aunt 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

Quick Revision

Tigers

Freedom, pride, confidence and hidden desires.

Wedding Band

Male domination and the burden of patriarchal marriage.

Fluttering Fingers

Fear, nervousness and emotional oppression.

Prancing

Pride, freedom and enduring artistic expression.

Art

A sanctuary where suppressed desires can survive.

Central Conflict

The resilient self versus the suppressed self.

Final Takeaway

• Aunt Jennifer represents a woman restricted by patriarchal structures.
• The tigers represent her hidden desire for freedom, courage and independence.
• The wedding band symbolises the weight of marital domination.
• The contrast between the tigers and Aunt Jennifer creates the poem’s central irony.
• Art becomes a means through which suppressed desires can find expression.
• The poem presents a sharp contrast between the resilient self and the suppressed self.
• The survival of the tigers suggests the enduring power of artistic expression.