Aunt Jennifer's Tigers Class 12 Important Questions: CBSE English Poetry (Flamingo) Chapter 5

1. Explain the symbolic significance of the tigers in the poem Aunt Jennifer's Tigers.

Answer: The tigers in the poem symbolise freedom, strength, and fearlessness. Aunt Jennifer’s embroidery of the tigers contrasts with her own life of fear and subjugation. The tigers’ majestic and fearless movements depict the qualities she wishes she could embody. They represent her desire to break free from the oppressive constraints of her marriage and societal expectations. The tigers are a manifestation of her suppressed desires for independence and courage.

2. How does Aunt Jennifer’s embroidery reflect her inner emotions and struggles?

Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s embroidery of the tigers reveals her inner conflict between her artistic expression and the oppressive life she leads. The tigers in her work represent her longing for strength and independence. However, her trembling fingers and the difficulty she faces while embroidering show how fear and exhaustion have taken over her life. Through her art, she expresses the desire for freedom, but the tension between her artistic creation and her real-life struggles highlights the emotional burden she carries.

3. Describe the contrast between the tigers in Aunt Jennifer’s embroidery and Aunt Jennifer herself.

Answer: The tigers in Aunt Jennifer’s embroidery are depicted as strong, fearless, and proud, running gracefully in the forest. They represent qualities that Aunt Jennifer desires but lacks in her own life. In contrast, Aunt Jennifer herself is fearful and dominated by her husband. The tigers are free and independent, whereas Aunt Jennifer is trapped in a life of submission and fear. This contrast highlights the oppression Aunt Jennifer faces and her unfulfilled yearning for strength and freedom.

4. What does the wedding ring symbolise in the poem Aunt Jennifer's Tigers?

Answer: The wedding ring symbolises the oppression and control Aunt Jennifer faces in her marriage. Instead of representing love and commitment, the ring becomes a symbol of burden and torment. Aunt Jennifer sees it as a weight on her trembling fingers, signifying the emotional and physical toll her marriage has taken on her. The ring also symbolises the male-dominated society that traps her, as she is unable to break free from its constraints.

5. What is the significance of Aunt Jennifer’s trembling fingers while she embroiders?

Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s trembling fingers symbolise the fear and anxiety she experiences due to the oppressive and controlling nature of her marriage. The act of embroidery, which should be a peaceful and creative activity, becomes difficult for her because her hands shake from the stress and fear imposed by her husband. This trembling is a physical manifestation of her emotional pain and submission to her husband’s dominance.

6. Explain the phrase “the tigers in the panel that she made” in the context of the poem.

Answer: The phrase "the tigers in the panel that she made" refers to the embroidery that Aunt Jennifer has created, depicting the tigers as fierce and majestic creatures. These tigers are symbolic of the qualities Aunt Jennifer wishes she could have: courage, freedom, and strength. The "panel" represents the space where Aunt Jennifer channels her emotions and desires through her art, contrasting her own life with the fierce creatures she has embroidered.

7. How does the poet portray the idea of freedom in Aunt Jennifer's Tigers?

Answer: The idea of freedom is portrayed through the tigers in Aunt Jennifer’s embroidery. The tigers are fearless and move freely in their natural environment, representing Aunt Jennifer’s suppressed desire for independence. However, the poet also conveys the harsh reality that Aunt Jennifer will never experience this freedom in her lifetime due to her oppressive marriage. The tigers are symbolic of the freedom she longs for, but can only achieve in death when she is finally free from her husband’s control.

8. What does Aunt Jennifer’s art reveal about her character?

Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s art reveals that, despite her submission to her oppressive life, she still possesses a desire for strength and freedom. Her embroidery of the tigers indicates her inner yearning for courage and independence. However, the fact that she can only express this desire through art and not in her real life suggests that she feels trapped in her circumstances. Her art is a form of escape, a way to express the emotions she cannot articulate in the physical world.

9. Discuss the use of imagery in the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers.

Answer: The poem uses vivid imagery to contrast Aunt Jennifer’s life with the tigers she embroiders. The tigers are described as "bright yellow" like topaz, symbolising their strength and beauty. Their movement is graceful and fearless, representing the qualities Aunt Jennifer wishes she could embody. The imagery of Aunt Jennifer’s trembling fingers and the heavy wedding ring highlights the oppression and fear she faces. Through these contrasting images, the poet explores the themes of power, fear, and freedom.

10. What does the poet mean when she says that Aunt Jennifer will "die with the burden of her wedding ring"?

Answer: The poet suggests that Aunt Jennifer will carry the emotional burden of her oppressive marriage until her death. The wedding ring, which should symbolise love and commitment, has become a symbol of control and suffering. Even after Aunt Jennifer’s death, the ring will remain a symbol of the oppression she faced in life. This line emphasises the permanent psychological toll her marriage has taken on her.

11. How does the poem reflect the theme of gender inequality?

Answer: The poem reflects the theme of gender inequality by portraying Aunt Jennifer as a woman trapped in a male-dominated society. Her fear of her husband, her inability to freely express herself, and her emotional suffering highlight the oppression of women. The wedding ring, meant to be a symbol of love, becomes a symbol of her subjugation, showcasing how societal norms and expectations limit women’s freedom and autonomy.

12. Why does the poet describe the tigers as "fearless" and "proud"?

Answer: The tigers are described as "fearless" and "proud" to highlight the contrast between their strength and the weakness of Aunt Jennifer, who is fearful and subjugated. These qualities in the tigers represent the freedom, courage, and independence that Aunt Jennifer desires but is unable to achieve in her own life. The tigers symbolise her inner longing for empowerment and strength.

13. What does the poet convey through the imagery of men “sitting under the tree” in the poem?

Answer: The imagery of men "sitting under the tree" contrasts the tigers’ active, free nature with the passive, idle lives of the men. The men are unmoved by the tigers’ strength and independence, reflecting the indifference of the male-dominated society to the struggles of women like Aunt Jennifer. The men are described as passive observers, unaware or unconcerned about the oppression faced by women.

14. How does Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers explore the theme of emotional and physical subjugation?

Answer: The poem explores both emotional and physical subjugation through Aunt Jennifer’s life. Emotionally, she is dominated by her husband, and her fear is evident in her trembling fingers as she embroiders. Physically, she feels burdened by the wedding ring, which symbolises the control and suffering inflicted on her by her husband. The tigers in her embroidery represent the freedom and power she desires but cannot attain in her life.

15. What is the significance of Aunt Jennifer’s desire for freedom in the poem?

Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s desire for freedom is significant because it reflects the universal yearning of individuals who are oppressed or confined by societal expectations. Her art, which depicts the fearless tigers, is a form of resistance and self-expression. It shows her longing for a life where she can live without fear, but her inability to achieve this freedom in her lifetime speaks to the harsh realities of her situation.

16. How does the poem address the theme of art as a form of escape?

Answer: Art serves as a form of escape for Aunt Jennifer, allowing her to express her desires for freedom and strength. Through her embroidery, she can create a world where she is not dominated by fear. However, her art also highlights the gap between her idealised world and the oppressive reality she faces in her marriage. Art becomes a way for Aunt Jennifer to articulate emotions that she cannot express in her everyday life.

17. How does the poem contrast Aunt Jennifer’s internal world with her external reality?

Answer: The poem contrasts Aunt Jennifer’s inner desires, symbolised by the tigers, with the external reality of her oppressive life. Her art reveals her yearning for freedom and strength, but in reality, she is trapped in a controlling marriage and dominated by her husband. The contrast emphasises the tension between her internal aspirations and her external circumstances.

18. Explain the poet’s use of irony in the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers.

Answer: The irony in the poem lies in the fact that Aunt Jennifer while creating fierce and fearless tigers, is herself fearful and submissive. The tigers represent qualities she wishes to embody, but the reality of her life is the opposite. The irony is also present in the fact that Aunt Jennifer can only express her desire for freedom through art, and even after death, she will still be tied to the oppression symbolised by her wedding ring.

19. What role does fear play in Aunt Jennifer's life as described in the poem?

Answer: Fear plays a central role in Aunt Jennifer's life. She is constantly afraid of her husband, and this fear is physically manifest in her trembling fingers. Fear controls her actions, limiting her freedom and suppressing her desires. The poem shows how fear has become an integral part of her existence, preventing her from living the life she yearns for.

20. What does Aunt Jennifer’s inability to pull the needle easily represent?

Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s difficulty in pulling the needle represents the emotional and physical toll that her life has taken on her. The difficulty of the task symbolises the overwhelming burden of her oppressed existence. Her trembling fingers and the struggle to embroider reflect the anxiety, fear, and exhaustion she experiences in her daily life.

21. How does Aunt Jennifer's Tigers reflect the feminist themes of the poem?

Answer: The poem reflects feminist themes by addressing the oppression and subjugation of women in a male-dominated society. Aunt Jennifer’s fear of her husband, her inability to achieve freedom, and her emotional suffering highlight the inequality women face. The tigers she embroiders symbolise the strength and independence that she desires but cannot attain due to the gender norms and expectations placed upon her.

22. Why does Aunt Jennifer express her desire for freedom through embroidery?

Answer: Aunt Jennifer expresses her desire for freedom through embroidery because it is the only outlet available to her. As a woman trapped in an oppressive marriage, embroidery allows her to channel her emotions and desires in a way that is not possible in her real life. Through her art, she creates a world where she is free, strong, and independent, something she cannot achieve in her everyday existence.

Points to Remember From Class 12 English Poetry Chapter 5: Aunt Jennifer's Tigers

• The poem revolves around Aunt Jennifer, a woman who expresses her emotions and desires through her art. 

• The tigers in Aunt Jennifer's embroidery represent the qualities she yearns for — strength, freedom, and fearlessness. They are majestic, proud, and bold, contrasting with Aunt Jennifer’s fearful and subjugated life.

• The tigers are depicted as fearless and full of life, whereas Aunt Jennifer is emotionally and physically burdened by her oppressive marriage. 

• The wedding ring is described as a "heavy band" on Aunt Jennifer’s fingers. It symbolises the burden and oppression imposed by her marriage. 

• The poem addresses the theme of gender inequality, portraying the oppression and emotional suffering of women in patriarchal societies. 

• The tone of the poem is both sympathetic and critical. The poet sympathises with Aunt Jennifer’s suffering while also critiquing the social norms and patriarchy that contribute to her oppression.

Benefits of Important Questions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 5 Poem - Aunt Jennifer's Tigers

• Important questions help students better understand the core themes of the poem, such as the contrast between Aunt Jennifer's fear and the fearlessness of the tigers, as well as the feminist undertones of oppression, marriage, and freedom.

• By answering detailed questions, students can clarify their understanding of key literary elements such as symbolism, imagery, and themes. 

• Important questions encourage students to analyse and critically think about the poem. 

• These questions provide a comprehensive review of the chapter and help students focus on significant aspects that are likely to be tested. 

• Practising them helps students familiarise themselves with the exam pattern and structure of answers.

• By answering long-form questions, students can improve their writing skills, learn to express their thoughts coherently and practice structuring their responses effectively. 

• These questions serve as a quick revision tool before exams, ensuring that students are well-versed in the key elements of the poem and can answer any related question confidently.

• The process of answering these important questions helps students develop strong analytical skills. 

Conclusion

Important Questions for Chapter 5: Aunt Jennifer's Tigers are a valuable resource for Class 12 students aiming to excel in their English exams. By practising these questions, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the poem’s themes of oppression, freedom, and the emotional turmoil experienced by Aunt Jennifer. Vedantu’s carefully curated questions not only improve your comprehension but also improve your analytical and writing skills, ensuring you can tackle any question related to the poem with confidence. Download the FREE PDF now and prepare effectively for your exams, while building a solid foundation in literary analysis.

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