AUNT JENNIFER'S TIGER

Density Experiment
By Your Name -ADRIENNE CECILE RICH
 Adrienne Cecile Rich May 16, 1929 – March

How does the

27, 2012) was an American poet, essayist and
feminist. She was called "one of the most
widely read and influential poets of the second
density of an
half of the 20th century”

object affect its

She is widely known for her
involvement in
contemporary women's
ability
movement to float?
as a poet amd
theorist.
 Theme
The theme of the poem “Aunt
Jennifer’s Tiger” relates to the issue

The Experiment
and subject of male dominance in
society. The theme wants to
highlight the conflicts, issues and
struggles that a woman has to face
in the male chauvinistic society.
 Stanza 1
The first stanza introduces us to Aunt Jennifer and her
passion for embroidery. She is weaving a piece of cloth
to be used as a screen. The pattern
● 2she weavesglasses
drinking depict
tigers jumping around in a world of green. They are
Materials
bright yellow in colour like the topaz stone
● Table (metaphor).
salt
The dense green jungle is the backdrop of the scene.
The tigers, full of the gentlemanly
● 2 mannerisms,
eggs are
Found around
bravethe house!
majestic rulers of the forest who are unafraid of
men. Here the poet gives a sense ● ofWater
contrast between
Aunt Jennifer and her tigers. Unlike the tigers Aunt
Jennifer is fearful of the man in her life.
Procedure STANZA 2
1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetur adipiscing fingers
Aunt Jennifer’s elit, sed tremble
do with fear as she embroiders the
eiusmod tempor
fearless incididunt
tigers on theutcloth.
laboreShe
et is weaving something that is
dolore magna aliqua
absolutely in contrast with her character so she is both excited and
afraid. She is afraid that her husband would not approve of her
2. Incididunt ut labore et dolore
embroidering fearless tigers that are proud of their existence. Her
burdensome
3. Consectetur marriage
adipiscing has
elit, sed doworn her out, and she is so tired that she
finds it difficult to pull the ivory needle. Her fingers are also
eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et
weighed down by ‘uncle’s wedding band’. She does not consider the
dolore magna aliqua
ring as hers even years after her marriage. Burdened by the
obligations
4. Incididunt of married
ut labore et dolore she is now crushed and worn out.
 Stanza 3
The third stanza is a projection of the future. The poet says
that when aunt is dead, her hands which were a part of her
terrified existence shall lie by her side. They will also be
lying about her existence as a subservient wife as the
fingers had created brave tigers in contrast to her real
character. The poet here wants to convey that although her
husband’s torture had been able to cower her down

Hypothesis
superficially, but it could not kill her mind which pined for
freedom. Unfortunately her ordeal will not end with her
death as the burdensome ring will remain on her even after
death. However, her desire for freedom will remain alive
through her tigers which will continue to prance about on
the screen.
 Word meanings
Prance – move with high springy steps.

Topaz – a yellow precious stone.

Tell the audience

Denizens – people or animal that live in a particular place.

Sleek – smooth and glossy.

what you expect

Chivalric – gallant and courteous, displaying gentlemanly behaviour.

Fluttering – moving unsteadily.

to happen...
Ringed – surrounded, wearing a ring

Ordeals – hardships or unpleasant experiences.

Prancing – moving around in energetic manner.

 LITERARY DEVICES
Hypothesis support
Anaphora – Paragraph 1 - use of same word in two
consecutive lines (they do not … and they pace in…)

I think this is what’s going

Metaphor to happen
– Paragraph Variables
1 - Use of topaz to describethat
the may affect the
yellow color of tigers (Bright topaz)
because… outcome...
Alliteration – Paragraph 2 - ‘f’ sound is repeated in finger
Lorem ipsum dolorfluttering
sit amet, consectetur ● Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor consectetur adipiscing elit
Synecdoche – Paragraph 3 - terrified hands (part for whole)
incididunt ut labore ethands
dolorerepresents
magna aliqua. ● Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut
her Aunt Jennifer
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud labore et dolore magna aliqua
exercitation ullamcoPun – i) lie nisi
laboris implies that it would be lying by her side; ii) the
ut aliquip.
fingers which made the tigers would give a false impression
about her character.

Pun – i) ringed refer to the ringed finger; ii) her entrapment in

marriage.

Alliteration – Paragraph 3 - ‘p’ is repeated in prancing proud

 Question 1

‘Terrified hands’ of Aunt Jennifer

means
(a) hard and bitter experience of
married life
(b) scared hands
(c) un-manicured hands
(d) soft and nice hands
The experiment
Conclusion
Question 2
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor
incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud
exercitation ullamco
What dolaboris nisi ut aliquip.
the tigers represent in the poem?
a) Aunt Jennifer’s fear
b) Aunt Jennifer’s artistic skill
c) Aunt Jennifer’s desire for freedom and
fearlessness
d) Aunt Jennifer’s love for wildlife