Summary of Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
“Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” by Adrienne Rich presents a sharp contrast between the inner world of a woman and the oppressive reality of her married life. Aunt Jennifer creates embroidered tigers that prance across a screen with bright, fearless confidence. These tigers symbolise the freedom, courage, and power that she herself does not possess.
In contrast, Aunt Jennifer is shown as a timid and oppressed woman whose hands tremble as she works with wool. Even the simple task of pulling a needle becomes difficult because of the “massive weight” of her husband’s wedding band—a symbol of the burdens and patriarchal domination she suffers in marriage.
The poem further suggests that even after her death, Aunt Jennifer’s hands will remain “ringed with ordeals,” showing that the fear and suffering she endured will leave permanent marks on her life. Yet, the tigers she created will continue to leap across the panel, proud and unafraid. Through this contrast, the poet highlights how art can express a woman’s suppressed desires for freedom, even when her real life is controlled and restricted.
About the Poet – Adrienne Rich
Adrienne Rich (1929–2012) was an American poet, essayist, and feminist thinker born in Baltimore, Maryland. She is widely known for her strong involvement in the contemporary women’s movement and her powerful writings on gender, identity, and social injustice. Over her career, she published nineteen volumes of poetry and several collections of essays.
Rich’s work reflects her resistance to racism, militarism, and patriarchal oppression. Through her poems, she often gave voice to women’s struggles and highlighted the constraints placed on them within society. “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” is one such poem, portraying the limitations of a woman’s married life and the freedom she seeks through her art.
Answers to the Questions
1. How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitudes?
The word ‘denizens’ means inhabitants, suggesting that the tigers naturally and confidently belong to their forest world.
‘Chivalric’ suggests nobility, courage, and heroic behaviour.
Together, these words show the tigers as fearless, dignified, self-assured creatures who move with grace and power, unafraid of humans.
2. Why are Aunt Jennifer’s hands ‘fluttering through her wool’? Why is she finding the needle hard to pull?
Her hands flutter because she is nervous, anxious, and physically weak.
She struggles to pull the needle because the burdens of marriage and oppression (symbolised by the wedding band) have made her life heavy and stressful. This has left her trembling and fearful, even during her embroidery.
3. What is suggested by the image “massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band”?
The wedding band symbolises marital responsibilities, domination, and patriarchal control.
Calling it “massive weight” suggests that:
- Aunt Jennifer feels trapped in her marriage,
- The marriage is burdensome and oppressive,
- Her individuality and freedom are suppressed.
4. Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified in the third stanza?
She is terrified of the ordeals of her married life, especially her dominating husband.
Even after her death, her hands will reflect the fear and suffering she endured.
5. What are the ‘ordeals’ Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by? Why is the word ‘ringed’ significant? What does ‘ringed’ mean in the poem?
Ordeals:
They refer to the hardships, oppression, restrictions, and emotional suffering she faces in marriage.
Why ‘ringed’?
The word is symbolic:
- It refers to the wedding ring that represents her bondage.
- It also means encircled or surrounded, showing how her entire life is enclosed by suffering.
Meanings of ‘ringed’:
- Encircled by ordeals.
- Bound by the wedding ring, the symbol of her oppressive marriage.
6. Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals so different from her own character? What does the poet suggest?
Aunt Jennifer creates strong, fearless tigers because they represent everything she cannot be in real life.
The poet suggests:
- Art becomes her escape from an oppressive life.
- Through her embroidery, she expresses her suppressed desire for courage, freedom, and independence.
- Her imagination is powerful even if she is physically weak.
7. Interpret the symbols found in the poem.
Major symbols:
1. Tigers
- Symbolise freedom, courage, confidence, independence—qualities Aunt Jennifer lacks.
2. Wedding band
- Symbol of patriarchal oppression and the burdens of marriage.
3. “Terrified hands”
- Symbolise her lifelong fear and suffering.
4. The tapestry / panel
- Symbol of her creative expression, where her spirit is alive and free.
8. Do you sympathise with Aunt Jennifer? What is the speaker’s attitude toward her?
Yes, we sympathise with her
She is shown as a gentle, oppressed woman whose creativity is overshadowed by fear and domination.
Speaker’s attitude
- The speaker is compassionate and sympathetic.
- The tone suggests critique of patriarchal structures that restrict women’s freedom.
- The speaker admires Aunt Jennifer’s artistic spirit while highlighting her tragic suffering.
Additional Notes (as suggested in the textbook)
Colours in the poem
- Bright topaz (golden-yellow) → energy & brilliance
- Green world → nature & freedom
These bright colours contrast with Aunt Jennifer’s dull, oppressed life.
Repetition of sounds
- Use of soft “f” sounds (“fingers fluttering through her wool”) → shows weakness & trembling.
- Stronger sounds around the tigers → highlight their power.
