CBSE Class 12 English HOTs Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Question. How does Aunt Jennifer express her bitterness and anger against male dominance?
Answer. Aunt Jennifer expresses her bitterness and anger against male dominance through her art; by knitting tigers on the panel which symbolise freedom, strength and chivalry.

Question. How do the words, ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of Aunt Jennifer’s tigers?
Answer. 'Denizens' and 'Chivalric' describe Aunt Jennifer's tigers as bold and fearless tigers, who prance around confidently in their natural habitat. Sleek and gallant in their movements, the tigers are certain of themselves.

Question. How has Aunt Jennifer created her tigers? What traits of tigers do they reveal?
Answer. Aunt Jennifer's tigers are woolen tapestry, which she intricately embroidered on a screen with the help of an ivory needle.
She made the tigers to appear as fearless creatures, proud and free, prancing fearlessly unafraid of the men standing underneath the tree.

Question. Aunt Jennifer’s efforts to get rid of her fear proved to be futile. Comment.
Answer. Aunt Jennifer is an obedient wife, often dominated by her husband. Her efforts to get rid of her fear of an unhappy and terrifying marriage proves to be futile because she would have to wear the ‘weighty’ wedding ring, which has made her feel trapped all her life, even when she is dead. In other words, there is no escaping the male dominated society or the ordeals of tyrannous marriage for Aunt Jennifer, even after death.

Question. What is suggested by the phrase, ‘massive weight of uncle’s wedding band’?
Answer. The phrase ‘massive weight of uncle’s wedding band’ refers to the burden of an oppressive marriage in which Aunt Jennifer was trapped. The wedding band is also symbol of bondage; Aunt is bound to her dominating husband by marriage because of her wedding vows. She can’t escape this male dominated society even after she is dead. As a dutiful wife, she must continue to be devoted to her husband.

Question. Aunt Jennifer’s tiger prance across a screen,
Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.
They do not fear the men beneath the tree;
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.

(a) How are aunt Jennifer’s tigers described ?
Answer. The tigers are described as bright topaz denizens of a world of green, prancing in chivalric certainty fearlessly.

(b) Why are they described as denizens of a world of green ?
Answer. The tigers are the natives of dense green forests.

(c) Why are they not afraid of the men ?
Answer. They are ferocious, strong and fearless by nature.

Question. What are the difficulties that Aunt Jennifer faced in her life?
Answer. Aunt Jennifer lived her life in accordance with the rules laid down by her domineering husband. Her life was overburdened by the demands and duties of her married life and the patriarchal society. It lacked self-expression. Although old and weak, she had to face the ordeals of her oppressive marriage all her life, there was no escape from her husband.

Question. What will happen when Aunt Jennifer is dead?
Answer. When Aunt Jennifer is dead, she will continue to suffer because she will not be free from her marital bondage. But, her struggle for freedom will continue through the prancing tigers on the panel.

Question. For Aunt Jennifer, what do the tigers symbolise?
Answer. Aunt Jennifer, lived an unhappy life in constant fear of her authoritative husband and the fact that she would never be freed not even after her death. Therefore, for her, the tigers symbolised fearlessness, confidence and freedom, something she lacked but hoped to possess.

Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow :

1. Aunt Jennifer's tigers prance across a screen.
Bright topaz denizens of a world of green
They do not fear the men beneath the tree;
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.

Question. Name the poem and the poet.
Answer. The poem 'Aunt Jennifer's Tiger's is written by Adrienne Rich.

Question. What was Aunt Jennifer doing at that moment?
Answer. She was creating embroidered tigers on a piece of woollen cloth.

Question. What do tigers symbolise?
Answer. Tigers symbolise fearlessness, bravery and self confidence.

Question. What are the traits of tigers that are a contrast to the aunt?
Answer. The tigers are fearless and 'Chivalric' whereas the aunt's own married life has left her weak and timid.

Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

1. Justify the title `Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers`
2. Why is uncle’s wedding band heavy on Jennifer’s hand?
3. What are the characteristics of the tiger depicted in the poem?
4. How does the poet imply the point that art survives the artist?
5. Though aunt Jennifer is a representative of women fighting against masculine authority and power what is the implication of creating a tiger that is extremely masculine and authoritative?