Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers: Understanding the Poem
Symbolism of Aunt Jennifer’s Fluttering Hands
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?
Aunt Jennifer’s hands are fluttering because they reflect her dominated and suppressed spirit. She is physically and emotionally drained and finds it hard to pull the needle. Her hands are heavy with the weight of the wedding ring, which symbolizes the hardships and difficulties of her life.
The Significance of the Embroidered Tigers
What do the tigers embroidered by Aunt Jennifer on the panel signify?
The tigers on the panel signify their free movement, lack of fear, and self-assurance, as compared to Aunt Jennifer, who is a victim of a male-dominated society. The tigers are depicted in sharp contrast to Aunt’s own predicament.
Description of the Tigers
Describe the tigers on the panel?
The tigers on the embroidered panel are of rich colors, ‘bright topaz.’ They are described as the residents of a green world (forest). They are fearless, confident, sure of their movements, and do not feel frightened of the men shown beneath the tree. They move freely and are symbolic of a ‘free spirit.’
The Weight of Uncle’s Wedding Band
What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’?
The image suggests that not only is Aunt bowed down by the emotional and physical pressures of her married life, but she is also suppressed by the weight of the wedding band, meaning that male-dominated society has put her under a lot of stress and has curbed her freedom and happiness.
Aunt Jennifer’s Ordeals and the Word ‘Ringed’
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?
The ‘ordeals’ that surround Aunt Jennifer are the hardships and the oppression in a male-dominated society. The poet uses the word ‘ringed’ to signify that even after her death, Aunt Jennifer’s hands will still be affected by the dominance of a male, perhaps her husband. While the tigers will be free, she would never be free; her only hope for freedom is through her artistic creation or the tigers on the screen. Through them, she can depict the courage and confidence that she lacked in her own life.
Aunt Jennifer’s Creation: A Contrast to Her Character
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?
Aunt Jennifer created animals who were free-spirited, fearless, proud, and happily prancing about. On the other hand, Aunt Jennifer’s life is symbolic of the fear, the suppression, and the victimization of a woman in a male-dominated society. The poet suggests that art may be an instrument of release for women like Aunt, who are trapped in an oppressive marriage.
The Everlasting Nature of Art
What does the poetess suggest by saying that the tigers that she has embroidered will forever go on prancing proudly?
When Aunt Jennifer is no more, her tigers will continue to live on the panel. A work of art will continue to be an expression of Aunt Jennifer’s creativity, and the tigers will forever be seen, prancing about, fearless and free-spirited.
Aunt Jennifer’s Challenging Life
What are the examples in the poem that suggest that Aunt Jennifer found her life a great challenge?
The poem suggests that Aunt’s life was full of hardships and difficulties. She was a victim of male oppression and seemed to have suffered a lot at Uncle’s hands. Uncle is a symbol of a male-dominated society. The reference to ‘fluttering fingers,’ ‘needle hard to pull,’ and the massive weight of ‘ordeals’ suggests her challenges.
Sympathy for Aunt Jennifer
Do you sympathize with Aunt Jennifer? What is the attitude of the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer?
Yes, I do sympathize with Aunt Jennifer. The attitude of the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer appears to be pessimistic because it is suggested that Aunt Jennifer, even after her death, will continue to be weighed down heavily by the burdens of her life. There will be no respite for her even after her death. Only her tigers will continue to live happily in the form of her artistic creation.
Aunt Jennifer’s Needlework as a Medium of Expression
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?
Aunt Jennifer’s hands are ‘fluttering’ through her wool while she is embroidering tigers on the panel. Her needlework is a medium for expressing herself. But she is finding it difficult to make those tigers and expressing those feelings due to oppression, the weight of marriage, gender roles, and a dominating society.