CBSE Class 12 English: Aunt Jennifer's Tigers NCERT Solutions

Solution:

(a) The poem is titled "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers," and the poet is Adrienne Rich.

(b) Aunt Jennifer's tigers are depicted as moving gracefully and confidently across a screen or tapestry. They are described as "bright topaz denizens," suggesting they are vibrant, jewel-like creatures, possibly with a golden-yellow hue, inhabiting a lush green world.

(c) They inhabit a world of green, implying a natural, wild habitat like a forest. Yes, they are fearless; they "do not fear the men beneath the tree," indicating their lack of apprehension towards humans or any potential threats.

(d) They pace with "sleek chivalric certainty," meaning they move with elegance, confidence, and a sense of noble assurance, as if they are honorable warriors.

Solution:

(a) Aunt Jennifer's fingers were fluttering through the wool she was using for her needlework, likely while creating the tapestry of tigers.

(b) She was finding the process of pulling the ivory needle through the wool difficult, indicating a struggle or lack of ease in her actions.

(c) The "massive weight of Uncle's wedding band" was lying heavily upon Aunt Jennifer's hand.

(d) Uncle's wedding band was upon Aunt Jennifer's hand. It sat there heavily, symbolizing the oppressive burden of her marriage.

Solution:

(a) Her hands are called 'terrified' because they represent her inner state, reflecting the fear, suppression, and hardship she has experienced throughout her married life. They symbolize her subjugated spirit.

(b) They are still "ringed with ordeals she was mastered by." This means her hands, even in death, will be marked by the difficult, challenging, and overwhelming experiences of her life, over which she had no control.

(c) She made the tigers in a panel, likely a tapestry or embroidery she was working on.

(d) Even after Aunt Jennifer's death, the tigers she created will continue to "go on prancing, proud and unafraid." This highlights the enduring nature of the freedom and strength they represent, contrasting with Aunt Jennifer's own life.

Solution: The word 'denizens' suggests that the tigers are native inhabitants of their wild, green world, emphasizing their natural belonging and independence, far removed from human interference. The term 'chivalric' attributes qualities of nobility, honor, and majestic confidence to the tigers. Together, these words portray the tigers not just as wild animals, but as proud, fearless, and dignified beings who command respect and move with an inherent sense of superiority and certainty, enhancing our understanding of their bold attitude.

Solution: Aunt Jennifer's hands are described as 'fluttering through her wool' because her movements are likely hesitant, nervous, and perhaps unsteady, reflecting her timid and fearful nature. She finds the needle hard to pull because the "massive weight of Uncle's wedding band" sits heavily upon her hand. This symbolizes the immense emotional and psychological burden of her married life, which makes even simple actions feel difficult and strenuous.

Solution: The image of the 'massive weight of Uncle's wedding band' is a powerful symbol suggesting the oppressive and burdensome nature of Aunt Jennifer's married life. The wedding band, typically a symbol of union and love, here represents the constraints, responsibilities, and possibly unhappy experiences that weigh heavily on Aunt Jennifer, dominating her life and spirit.

Solution: In the third stanza, Aunt Jennifer is terrified by the "ordeals she was mastered by." These ordeals refer to the hardships, difficulties, and oppressive experiences she has faced and been dominated by throughout her married life. The "terrified hands" are a manifestation of the lasting psychological impact of these trials, suggesting she is haunted by her past suffering.

Solution: The 'ordeals' Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by are the difficult, testing, and oppressive experiences of her married life, which have dominated and controlled her. The word 'ringed' is significant because it implies being encircled or trapped. It suggests that these hardships have her tightly bound, leaving her unable to escape their influence, both physically and mentally. The word 'ringed' has a dual meaning here: conventionally, a ring symbolizes marriage, but figuratively, it means being encircled by her suffering and subjugation.

Solution: Aunt Jennifer likely created tigers so different from herself as a form of escape and self-expression. The tigers embody the strength, freedom, courage, and boldness that she herself lacks in her own life. Through this stark contrast, the poet Adrienne Rich suggests the deep-seated oppression faced by women, who often suppress their true desires and assertiveness due to societal constraints and personal fears. The tigers represent Aunt Jennifer's repressed spirit and her unfulfilled longing for liberation.

Solution: The poem is rich in symbolism. The tigers symbolize freedom, power, courage, and untamed spirit. Aunt Jennifer's 'terrified hands' and the description of them being 'ringed with ordeals' symbolize her subjugation, fear, and the oppressive experiences of her married life. The 'massive weight of Uncle's wedding band' symbolizes the burdensome responsibilities and constraints of marriage that have weighed her down. The screen or panel represents the medium through which she expresses her inner desires, a world separate from her reality.

Solution: Yes, one naturally sympathizes with Aunt Jennifer. Her life appears to be one of quiet suffering, marked by fear and oppression within her marriage, as evidenced by her 'terrified hands' and the 'massive weight' of the wedding band. The speaker's attitude towards Aunt Jennifer is one of deep sympathy and understanding. The poet uses evocative imagery and symbolism to portray Aunt Jennifer's plight, highlighting her gentle nature contrasted with her inner yearning for the freedom embodied by the tigers. The speaker seems to empathize with her situation and perhaps even her unexpressed desires.