Aunt Jennifers Tigers
ADRIENNE RICH
(b. 1929)
Aunt Jennifer's Tigers The Uncle Speaks in the Drawing Room Trying to talk with a Man
Aoife O'Driscoll 2010 www.aoifesnotes.com Page 1 of 13
Aunt Jennifer's Tigers
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. 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. 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
Glossary Prance – To bound, to walk with high, bouncing steps. Screen – This refers to the fire screens used to shelter people from the intense heat if they sat near the fire, or to the screens placed in front of an empty fireplace. Topaz – A yellow or golden semi-precious stone. Denizens – Inhabitants Sleek – Smooth, shiny, glossy. Chivalric – Behaving in a courteous, gallant way like the knights of old. Ivory – Elephant tusk Ordeals – Difficult or painful experiences.
Aoife O'Driscoll 2010
www.aoifesnotes.com
Page 2 of 13
Analysis Stanza One The poet describes the imaginary world created by Aunt Jennifer as she embroiders tigers on a fire screen. The tigers ''prance'' across the screen, implying that they are full of energy, strong, proud, carefree and unafraid. They are bright and golden – standing out against the green background. They are not full afraid and their brightness is not hidden. This is in contrast to the men ''beneath the tree''. This is the tigers' world and they ''pace'' through it in a confident, powerful manner. They are linked to the old system of knighthood by the word ''chivalric'', thus reminding us again of their power and strength. Yet there is a gallantry and dignity associated with the word ''chivalric'' which
(b. 1929)
Aunt Jennifer's Tigers The Uncle Speaks in the Drawing Room Trying to talk with a Man
Aoife O'Driscoll 2010 www.aoifesnotes.com Page 1 of 13
Aunt Jennifer's Tigers
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. 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. 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
Glossary Prance – To bound, to walk with high, bouncing steps. Screen – This refers to the fire screens used to shelter people from the intense heat if they sat near the fire, or to the screens placed in front of an empty fireplace. Topaz – A yellow or golden semi-precious stone. Denizens – Inhabitants Sleek – Smooth, shiny, glossy. Chivalric – Behaving in a courteous, gallant way like the knights of old. Ivory – Elephant tusk Ordeals – Difficult or painful experiences.
Aoife O'Driscoll 2010
www.aoifesnotes.com
Page 2 of 13
Analysis Stanza One The poet describes the imaginary world created by Aunt Jennifer as she embroiders tigers on a fire screen. The tigers ''prance'' across the screen, implying that they are full of energy, strong, proud, carefree and unafraid. They are bright and golden – standing out against the green background. They are not full afraid and their brightness is not hidden. This is in contrast to the men ''beneath the tree''. This is the tigers' world and they ''pace'' through it in a confident, powerful manner. They are linked to the old system of knighthood by the word ''chivalric'', thus reminding us again of their power and strength. Yet there is a gallantry and dignity associated with the word ''chivalric'' which