Answer:
Summary:
"Aunt Jennifer's Tiger" by Adrienne Rich is a short poem describing the life of Aunt Jennifer creating a tapestry of a tiger. The poem suggests that Aunt Jennifer is oppressed and living a life controlled by a man. While Aunt Jennifer is creating the tiger, she reflects confidence and strength. The tiger she creates reflects power and freedom, contrasting Aunt Jennifer's life. The poem ends with the suggestion that Aunt Jennifer will die one day, but the tiger she creates will continue to live on.
Analysis:
"Aunt Jennifer's Tiger" explores themes of gender roles, oppression, and freedom. It suggests that Aunt Jennifer is oppressed by a man, likely her husband, who controls her life and limits her freedom. This is evident when Aunt Jennifer appears "terrified" of her husband's "weight" and "the ring he has given her". These images suggest that Aunt Jennifer's life is restricted and that she is living in fear.
However, Aunt Jennifer is creating the tiger but is confident and strong. The images of the tiger that she creates are powerful and free, suggesting that Aunt Jennifer is using her art to express her desire for freedom and power. The contrast between Aunt Jennifer's life and the tiger she creates is striking and highlights the oppression that Aunt Jennifer is experiencing.
The poem's final lines, "When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie / Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by," suggest that Aunt Jennifer's life is one of struggle and oppression. Furthermore, her death will not bring her the freedom she desires. However, the tiger that she has created will continue to live on, symbolizing the idea that the desire for freedom and power can transcend even death.
In conclusion, "Aunt Jennifer's Tiger" is a powerful and evocative poem exploring the themes of gender roles, oppression, and freedom. The contrast between Aunt Jennifer's life and the tiger she creates highlight the oppression she experiences and the desire for freedom and power she feels. The poem reminds the reader about the struggles that women face and the power of art to express their desires and aspirations.
Step-by-step explanation: