Aunt Jennifer's Tigers

Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

                         By Adrienne Rich 

 

Analysis of the poem: 

§  The poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ is composed by Adrienne Rich, a well known new age American poet. Her works are known for original themes, revolutionary thoughts and strong voice for women empowerment.

§  Adrienne Rich, an American poetess, is widely known for her involvement in contemporary women’s movement as a poet and theorist.

§  The poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ addresses the constraints of married life a woman experiences, gender bias and immense power of art.

§  The poem is subjective in nature as it describes the emotions and opinion of the poet associated with her experience in this male dominated society.

§  The poem is simple in language, lyrical in style and profound in emotional content with the wonderful handling of poetic devices and expressions.

§  The poem is divided in three stanzas of four lines each, having the rhyming scheme –  aabb.

§  The tone of the poem is melancholic as aunt Jennifer feels sad thinking about her unexpressed desires and limitations of a married woman.

§  The poet clearly brings out the theme that marital bond and responsibilities become a burden on a woman who is unable to express her desires. It also brings out a contrast between the art which is mode of expression and the life which needs submission.

§  The impactful description for tigers in the greenery successfully depicts the theme that art is so powerful to express itself while a married woman fails to express her desires, through powerful imagery, metaphor and skilful handling of other poetic devices.

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Summary / Synopsis

The poem deals with the themes of gender bias, marital expectations, immense power of art, helplessness of a married woman and social prejudices associated with marriage. 

Aunt Jennifer's tigers represent her desire for freedom and strength, contrasting with the challenges she faces in her married life. The art she creates becomes a symbol of her inner strength and a way to express herself despite the constraints of her reality. 

Ironically, she would die under the same burden and fear while the tigers she was making would prance proudly and fearlessly unlike the terrified aunt Jennifer.

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Line by Line Explanation

"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."

The poet introduces Aunt Jennifer's design on a tapestry or a piece of cloth featuring tigers that seem lively and full of fearless movement. The tigers are compared to a bright topaz, yellow gem stone, indicating their vibrant and intense nature. The phrase "denizens of a world of green" suggests that the tigers inhabit a lush green and lively environment. The tigers, depicted in Aunt Jennifer's creation, show no fear of the men who are under the tree. This embroidery symbolises a sense of independence or strength Aunt Jennifer dreams of. The tigers move with a confident walk, boldness, courage and assurance. This portrays a sense of regal and fearless life which is in sharp contrast of scared and fearful demeanour of aunt Jennifer.

 

"Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool

Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.

The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band

Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand."

Aunt Jennifer is working on her embroidery, her fingers are moving weakly through the thread as she creates the tapestry. Aunt Jennifer has become weak and lost strength after facing challenges in her married life. Even the ivory needle is difficult for her to pull through the fabric. This suggests the physical and emotional strain she has experienced through her married life. Aunt Jennifer is wearing her husband's wedding ring which has "massive" weight for her fingers. It suggests that the ring is not just an ornament but carries a significant emotional burden of responsibilities and liabilities of demanding married life. The weight of the wedding ring is burdensome for Aunt Jennifer, symbolising the constraints of marriage and the traditional roles and expectations associated with it. She is described to be crushed and helpless under this weight and unable to express herself. Probably that's the reason she is trying to express her desire for freedom and expression through her embroidery of fearless tigers.

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"When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie

Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.

The tigers in the panel that she made

Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid."

The poet envisions Aunt Jennifer's death when her "terrified hands" will lie motionless and still terrified. It suggests a sense of fear or anxiety that would persist even in death. Even after Aunt Jennifer's death, her hands will bear the impact of the painful experiences and difficult challenges or "ordeals" that she was subjected to. She has been dominated by her husband or family in her married life that she would carry this fearful experience to her grave. The wedding band would remain there in her hand even after her death and so would its burden. The irony of life is described through the tapestry or panel that Aunt Jennifer created with the tigers. Ironically, the tigers created by aunt Jennifer will continue to prance with pride and fearlessness, suggesting a stark contrast between her art and her real life. Aunt would go to the grave with her fear and the tiger will go on showing their power and pride.

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Theme

The poem brings out the theme that marriage ordeals many a time become a massive burden on a woman and she feels suffocated and unable to express herself. The poem also brings out a contrast between art and human life. Art is a mode of expression and our life is a tale of submission and subjugation.

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Poetic Devices

Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen – Imagery, Consonance, Symbolism

Bright topaz denizens of a world of green – Metaphor, Imagery, Repetition

They do not fear the men beneath the tree – Anaphora, Alliteration, Repetition

They pace in sleek chivalric certainty – Anaphora, Assonance. Imagery

Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool – Imagery, Alliteration, Consonance

Find even the ivory needle hard to pull - Consonance, Symbolism

The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band – Alliteration, Metaphor, Symbolism  

Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand – Personification, Alliteration

When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie – Consonance, Alliteration, Synecdoche, Pathos

Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by – Assonance, Metaphor, Irony

The tigers in the panel that she made – Repetition, Imagery, Alliteration, Repetition

Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid – Assonance, Alliteration, Personification, Irony 

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Important Question Answers

Q. Why are Aunt Jennifer’s hands ‘fluttering through the wool’? What is suggested by ‘massive weight of uncle’s wedding hand’? Why is the needle so ‘hard to pull’ for aunt Jennifer?

Ans. The poet highlights the victimisation of Aunt Jennifer in his poem. Aunt Jennifer is so terrified of her husband that her fingers tremble when she pulls out the ivory needle through wool even though the needle is very light. It depicts her physical as well as emotional weakness. The wedding ring which she is wearing symbolises responsibilities that are a great burden on her soul. The wedding ring given by the uncle seems heavy to her. She finds it difficult to go ahead as her married life has taken away all her freedom from her.

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RTC 

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.
The tigers in the panel that she made
Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.

1.                1. What does it refer to ‘ordeal’?

2.   Why did she embroider ‘tigers’?

3.   How were the tigers different from her own personality?

4.   Which poetic device is in the phrase ‘terrified hands’

5.   Which tone is prevalent here?

Answer:
1. The word 'ordeal' refers to the unpleasant or painful job or responsibility. Here, it is conveyed that married life of aunt jennifer is quite painful and difficult as she was constantly dominated by her husband and was denied freedom.
2. Aunt Jennifer made tigers to give expression to her desire for freedom, fearlessness and courage. She was unable to express her desire so she took refuge in art.
3. Aunt Jennifer was meek and submissive whereas the tigers she embroidered were strong, ferocious, fearless and courageous.

4. Transferred Epithet is used here as the attribute of Aunt Jennifer is transferred to her hands.

5. Tone is sad and critical.

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A Thing of Beauty

A Thing of Beauty

                       By John Keats

 

Analysis of the Poem: 

§  The poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’ is an excerpt from "Endymion," a narrative poem by John Keats, a renowned poet of Romantic Era. His secret, his power to sway and delight the readers, lies primarily in his gift for perceiving the world and living his moods and aspirations in terms of language.

§  The poem reflects on the enduring nature of real beauty and its ability to spread joy in our lives.

§  The poet asserts that the loveliness of a beautiful thing never fades; instead, it continues to grow and remains eternal. The poet contrasts with the transient nature of many aspects of human life with nature which is a primary example of enduring beauty.

§  The poem is rich in language and profound in content with the wonderful usage of poetic devices, phrases and expressions.

§  The rhyming scheme of the poem is aabbccdd and so on as every pair of two lines rhyme with each other.

§  The tone of the poem is philosophical and reflective as the poet makes the readers think and understand what the real beauty is, and that real beauty is the source of eternal joy.

§  The central theme of the poem is the timeless and eternal nature of beauty. The opening line, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever," suggests that beauty is not fleeting but rather a source of everlasting happiness.

§  The impactful description of beautiful nature successfully sensitises the readers to introspect on the idea of real beauty through powerful imagery, and skilful handling of other poetic devices.

 

Summary/Synopsis:

 

§  In summary, the poem emphasises the enduring nature of beauty and its ability to bring joy, tranquility, and inspiration to human life despite the challenges and darkness that surround us.

§  The poet asserts that the loveliness of a beautiful thing never fades; instead, it continues to grow and remains eternal. This permanence of beauty contrasts with the transient nature of human life using nature as a primary example of enduring beauty. The sun, the moon, trees, flowers, and clear streams are all cited as examples of things of everlasting beauty.

§  The poem suggests that beauty has a healing effect on the human spirit. It provides a "bower quiet" or shady retreat for restful sleep. Beauty, according to the poet, has the power to alleviate despondence and darkness in our lives.

§  The imagery of "wreathing a flowery band" implies human’s continuous effort to surround themselves with beauty and create a beautiful bond with this earth, despite all the challenges and difficulties in human life.

§  The poet acknowledges the existence of "despondence" and the lack of noble natures, but asserts that despite these challenges, beauty has the ability to dispel darkness from our spirits. It serves as a counterforce to the hardships of life.

§  The poem also touches upon the idea that stories of valour and heroism and grand tales of sacrifices have an enduring impact on the quality of our life. The "lovely tales" and the "endless fountain of immortal drink" symbolise the timeless nature of artistic and imaginative endeavours.

§  In a nutshell, the poem celebrates the eternal nature of beauty, its capacity to bring joy and healing, and the ongoing human endeavour to create and appreciate beauty despite the challenges of life.

 

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Line by Line Explanation

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Its loveliness increases, it will never

Pass into nothingness; but will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing."

The poet begins by stating that anything which is truly beautiful brings everlasting happiness. The beauty which is being talked here, doesn't diminish; instead, it continues to grow and become more beautiful over the time. Unlike many things in life that fade away, beauty remains and doesn't disappear into nothingness. Real beauty is described as a shady tree that creates a peaceful retreat (bower) for us, leading to a serene and restful sleep. This tranquil sleep induced by beauty is described as being filled with pleasant dreams, eventually provides us with good mental health and peaceful life. The sources of true beauty help us have a calm and peaceful breath that can be termed as 'breath of relaxation' of a 'sigh of relief' as we all know that sleep refreshes us and keeps us healthy and happy. Not to mention that we can get a relaxed sleep only when we happy inside and this happiness is obtained when we surround ourselves with the natural objects which are a source of eternal joy.

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"Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth,

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,

Despite all these challenges and obstacles.”

As a result, every morning, people are metaphorically weaving or creating a band or something beautiful that ties us with this earth. This beautiful bond metaphorically described as a "flowery band" connects us to the earth. This beautiful bond inspires us to live on the earth perhaps emphasising our connection with this beautiful world. Despite all the feelings of hopelessness and a lack of noble qualities in humanity we are able to create a beautiful bond with this world due to the perennial beauty of nature. Despite a scarcity of virtuous individuals, the prevalence of unhealthy and overly dark paths in life we are in constant search of happiness and, are filled with a jovial spirit to live on this beautiful earth. This fills us with the courage to stand bravely in the face of depressing, difficult and challenging times in our life.

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“Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,

Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon

For simple sheep; and such are daffodils

With the green world they live in; and clear rills

That for themselves a cooling covert make

‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;”

Despite everything depressing and negative, some heavenly form of beauty removes the metaphorical pall or a dark covering from our spirits, bringing light and relief in our hearts and life. The sources of such enduring and heavenly beauty are the sun, the moon, trees, flowers, rivers and all the beautiful entities of nature. Both old and young trees, small plants and even grass provide a beautiful and refreshing shade in form of a blessing for all the humans, animals and creature. Described as the other sources of beauty even simple elements of nature, like daffodils, contribute greatly to enhance the beauty of this world. Here, the poet suggests that beauty is found in both the grand and the humble. Daffodils living in the green world, clear streams and brooks also contribute immensely to the beauty of this earth. These streams create a cooling and sheltered place for all. They provide relief against the heat, especially in the middle of the forest. The forest is described as being rich and beautiful with the presence of delicate musk-rose flowers.  All these elements of nature are beautiful and the source of real joy. These elements along with making this world beautiful attract us and fill our spirit with peace and joy among the difficulties of life which is metaphorically described as hot season. Eventually these beautiful sources create a desire in us to live on this earth happily. All these beauties are like God’s blessings upon the earthly creatures.

 

“And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead;

All lovely tales that we have heard or read;

An endless fountain of immortal drink,

Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink."

The magnificence or grandeur of significant events or destinies is such that they motivate us to live despite all the difficulties and challenges along with teaching us great lessons. The poet refers to the grand fates or afterlives for powerful individuals and great warriors who have passed away, are like a great gift from God in form of inspiring tales of valour and sacrifices for the countries and the communities. The "lovely tales" and the "endless fountain of immortal drink" symbolise the timeless nature of artistic and imaginative endeavours. These beautiful stories of sacrifices and the grand tales of wars that we have heard and read, are a continuous and everlasting source of inspiration, leaning and recreation. Such inspiring tales are compared to a nectar flowing towards us from the edge or brink of heaven, suggesting a divine source of inspiration and joy.

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Difficult Expressions

bower - green shady place

wreathing - making into a garland, circle

despondence - depression, desperation, hopelessness

dearth - scarcity, want, lack

gloomy - sad

boon - blessing

rills - streams, brooks

brake – fern, bush

brink - edge

A thing of beauty – It refers to something or all the things that are beautiful in real sense, in all times and for all people in the same way, for example - nature.

A bower quiet – This phrase refers to a shady place which serves as a peaceful retreat for the tired and distressed creatures.

A flowery band – This phrase refers to some circular thing which can bind us or anyone. Here, the band metaphorically represents the beautiful bond between humans and the earth on which we all live.

grandeur of the dooms – This phrase conveys that the tales of fall or struggles of the great warriors and heroes are so grand and inspiring that they are uniquely beautiful and, teach us great lessons of bravery and sacrifice, and a spirit to struggle despite all the adversities and challenges.

The mighty dead – This phrase talks about the brave heroes and the powerful warriors of past, who are dead now.

endless fountain of immortal drink – Here, this phrase metaphorically refers to continuous source of energy and enthusiasm in life. The poet wants to convey that the inspiring stories of the past, and great heroes who are dead, shall always inspire us to live through all the struggles of life. Hence, they serve as an endless fountain of nectar or perennial source of energy and courage to live against all the hurdles.  

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Poetic Devices

A thing of beauty is a joy forever – Repetition, Assonance

Its loveliness increases, it will never – Consonance, Assonance, Enjambment

Pass into nothingness; but will keep - Consonance, Enjambment

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep – Metaphor, repetition, Imagery, Enjambment

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing. – Consonance, Repetition, polysyndeton

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing – Assonance, Inversion

A flowery band to bind us to the earth, - Metaphor, Alliteration, Consonance, Imagery

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth – Repetition, Alliteration

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days – Anaphora, Repetition, Alliteration, Consonance

Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways – Anaphora, Metaphor

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all – Consonance

From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon – Alliteration, Assonance, Repetition, Imagery

Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon – Contrast, Consonance, Metaphor, Imagery

For simple sheep; and such are daffodils – Alliteration, Imagery

With the green world they live in; and clear rills – Alliteration, Assonance, Imagery

That for themselves a cooling covert make – Alliteration, Consonance, Metaphor

‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake – Consonance, Repetition, Imagery, Metaphor

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms – Assonance, Imagery

And such too is the grandeur of the dooms – Repetition, Paradox, Metaphor

We have imagined for the mighty dead – Oxymoron,

All lovely tales that we have heard or read – Assonance, Alliteration, Consonance

An endless fountain of immortal drink – Metaphor, Consonance

Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink – Assonance

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RTC

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follows.

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth,

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways

a. What are we, humans doing every day according to the poet?

b. Which evil things do we suffer from?

c. What does the phrase ‘in spite of all’ signify?

d. What does the phrase a 'flowery band' refer to?

e. What emotion is suggested by the word 'despondence'?

f. What contrast does the poet present in these lines?

g. Which poetic device is used in second line?

h. How does the metaphor of the “flowery band” enhance the poet’s message?

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Answers:

a. Every morning, we are weaving a flowery wreath or garland which binds us to the beauties of the earth or we are collecting things of beauty that connects us to other things of beauty and keeps us connected and happy.

b. Human beings possess malice, hatred and other ignoble thoughts. There is a lack of noble qualities and men continue to be evil, depressed, disappointed and unhealthy.

c. In spite of all the negative qualities and evils mentioned by the poet, a thing of real beauty can infuse us with positivity and joy.

d. It refers to the joys and bounties of nature that connect humans to the earth.

e. The word “despondence' suggests deep sadness and hopelessness.

f. The things of real beauty such as nature are contrasted to the gloom and sufferings in human life.

g. Metaphor is used in second line.

h. It symbolises nature’s beauty as a gentle, positive force that ties humans to life on earth, countering all his despair and negativity. By juxtaposing beauty with gloom, the poet makes nature’s comforting power more striking and essential.