The Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Questions and Answers Class 12, designed for the year 2024, prove to be a valuable study aid for CBSE Class 12 students. This resource comprises crucial Q&A drawn from NCERT, along with additional significant questions sourced from the ‘Flamingo’ English textbook for Class XII (Core Course).
Summary of the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Class 12
“Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” by Adrienne Rich explores the life of Aunt Jennifer, a woman trapped in a restrictive marriage. Through the lens of her needlework, Rich vividly portrays the tension between Aunt Jennifer’s internal desires and the external pressures of societal expectations. The poem’s central imagery involves Aunt Jennifer creating a tapestry of tigers that represent her unfulfilled dreams of power and freedom. The tigers, though fearless in the artwork, contrast with Aunt Jennifer’s meek and subdued demeanor. The poem hints at the oppressive influence of her husband, capturing the struggles of women in a patriarchal society. Despite the physical constraints, Aunt Jennifer finds a form of liberation in her artistic expression. The poem raises poignant questions about the impact of societal norms on individual creativity and the ways women navigate and resist such constraints.
Translation
एड्रिएन रिच द्वारा लिखित “आंटी जेनिफर टाइगर्स” एक प्रतिबंधित विवाह में फंसी महिला, आंटी जेनिफर के जीवन की पड़ताल करती है। अपनी सुईवर्क के लेंस के माध्यम से, रिच ने चाची जेनिफर की आंतरिक इच्छाओं और सामाजिक अपेक्षाओं के बाहरी दबाव के बीच तनाव को स्पष्ट रूप से चित्रित किया है। कविता की केंद्रीय कल्पना में आंटी जेनिफर को बाघों की एक टेपेस्ट्री बनाना शामिल है जो शक्ति और स्वतंत्रता के उनके अधूरे सपनों का प्रतिनिधित्व करती है।
बाघ, हालांकि कलाकृति में निडर हैं, आंटी जेनिफर के नम्र और दबे हुए व्यवहार के विपरीत हैं। कविता पितृसत्तात्मक समाज में महिलाओं के संघर्ष को दर्शाते हुए उनके पति के दमनकारी प्रभाव की ओर इशारा करती है। शारीरिक बाधाओं के बावजूद, आंटी जेनिफर अपनी कलात्मक अभिव्यक्ति में मुक्ति का एक रूप पाती हैं। कविता व्यक्तिगत रचनात्मकता पर सामाजिक मानदंडों के प्रभाव और महिलाओं द्वारा इस तरह की बाधाओं का सामना करने और उनका विरोध करने के तरीकों के बारे में मार्मिक प्रश्न उठाती है।
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Q4 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Questions and Answers Class 12 MCQ Extract Based 1
Read the following extract and choose the correct option.
A. Aunt Jennifer’s finger 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.
i How would you describe Aunt Jennifer based on the above extract?
a) oppressed
b) malnourished
c) aging
d) diseased
Ans: a) oppressed
ii Uncle’s wedding band sits heavily on Aunt Jennifer’s hand because
a) it is an expensive and heavy ring.
b) she was married against her will.
c) she feels burdened in her marriage.
d) their relationship is lacking in love.
Ans: c) she feels burdened in her marriage.
iii Pick the option that displays the image which correctly corresponds to the type of task Aunt is engaged in.
a) Option (i)
b) Option (ii)
c) Option (iii)
d) Option (iv)
Ans: b) Option (ii)
iv Which of the following is an example of an alliteration?
a) finger fluttering through the wool
b) upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand
c) ivory needle hard to pull
d) massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band
Ans: a) finger fluttering through the wool
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Questions and Answers Class 12 MCQ Extract Based 2
Read the following extract and choose the correct option.
B. When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by. T
he tigers in the panel that she made
Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.
i Read the statement given below: Aunt Jennifer’s plight is best explained by her hands, they hold both her freedom and the instrument of her imprisonment.
Choose the option that best explains the above statement, as per the extract.
a) Aunt Jennifer’s hands are terrified, but when she is dead, her tigers will roam free.
b) Aunt Jennifer knits her desires, but is overpowered by the wedding ring she wears.
c) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers are proud and unafraid, but she is mastered by ringed ordeals.
d) Aunt Jennifer makes panels of tigers when she has time from her responsibilities.
Ans: b) Aunt Jennifer knits her desires, but is overpowered by the wedding ring she wears.
ii Which of the following CANNOT be inferred from the given extract?
a) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers will keep her alive in everyone’s memory.
b) Aunt Jennifer feels oppressed and constricted in her marriage.
c) Even in death, Aunt Jennifer cannot escape patriarchal subjugation.
d) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance as a lasting symbol of her desires.
Ans: a) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers will keep her alive in everyone’s memory.
iii What makes the tigers “proud and unafraid”?
a) They embody the grandeur and supremacy of animals in the wild.
b) They symbolise authority and are ‘topaz denizens of green’.
c) They represent Aunt’s repressed desires for freedom and power.
d) They are a product of Aunt’s imagination and colonial experience.
Ans: c) They represent Aunt’s repressed desires for freedom and power.
iv Choose the option that DOES NOT reflect the movement implied by ‘prancing’.
a) bounding
b) frolicking
c) strutting
d) shuffling
Ans: d) shuffling
Q 5. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Questions and Answers Class 12 Stand-alone MCQs
i Read the statements given below. Choose the option that accurately describes the given statements.
1. Statement I – The poem is a manifesto against the institution of marriage.
2. Statement II – Aunt Jennifer represents all women artists.
3. Statement III – The poem embodies an alternative for women to express their repressed desires through art.
a) Statement I is True, Statement II is False, Statement III cannot be inferred.
b) Statement I and III are False, Statement II cannot be inferred.
c) Statement I and II are True, Statement III cannot be inferred.
d) Statement I is False, Statement II cannot be inferred, Statement III is True.
Ans: b) Statement I and III are False, Statement II cannot be inferred
ii Which of the following does NOT represent the contrast between Aunt Jennifer and the tigers?
a) uncertainty and confidence
b) terror and fearlessness
c) fiefdom and freedom
d) authority and autonomy
Ans: d) authority and autonomy
iii Choose the option that does NOT reflect what the tigers represent in the poem:
a) Aunt Jennifer’s undying hopes
b) Aunt Jennifer’s failing marriage
c) Aunt Jennifer’s artistic merit
d) Aunt Jennifer’s frustrations
Ans: b) Aunt Jennifer’s failing marriage
Q10 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Questions and Answers Class 12 in 30-40 words
i ‘What knitting was to Aunt Jennifer; poetry was for Adrienne Rich’. Do you agree? Comment with reference to the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’.
Ans: The comparison between knitting and poetry in the context of Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers by Adrienne Rich reveals a stark contrast. While knitting represents Aunt Jennifer’s constrained, domestic existence, poetry serves as Adrienne Rich’s powerful means of expressing personal and societal struggles, showcasing the divergent roles of art in their lives.
ii Read the given quote. In your opinion, what silence does the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ break?
| Every poem breaks a silence that had to be overcome. – Adrienne Rich |
Ans: In the context of the quote “Every poem breaks a silence that had to be overcome” by Adrienne Rich, the poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” may break the silence of Aunt Jennifer’s suppressed emotions and unspoken desires. Through the poem, Rich unveils the silent struggles and constraints faced by women in a patriarchal society.
iii Would you say that the poem ends on a note of hope? Justify your opinion.
Ans: The ending of “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” does not convey a sense of hope. The final stanza emphasizes Aunt Jennifer’s mortality and suggests that even in death, the weight of societal expectations and the oppressive marriage will persist, indicating a lack of liberation or positive change.
Q12 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Questions and Answers Class 12 in 120-150 words
i Read the given extract from an article published in The Independent:
“Turn your pain into art”: it’s a phrase most of us have heard before… The theory that achieving something great requires suffering dates back to ancient times… Pain, however, is less an artistic necessity and more a result of “contagion” – a term used for the spreading of a harmful idea or practice…In the context of the struggling artist, it allows mental illness to fester; to be glamourized and admired; even encouraged in the name of art.
– Do you think Aunt Jennifer “turned her pain into art”? What kind of “contagion” might her pain be a result of?
– Evaluate Aunt Jennifer and her artistry in light of the above extract.
Ans: In “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers,” Aunt Jennifer’s artistic expression through her tapestry can be seen as a form of turning her pain into art. The poem suggests that her needlework becomes an outlet for her inner turmoil and unfulfilled desires, allowing her to create a world where she can assert her agency through the bold and free tigers she stitches.
The “contagion” of Aunt Jennifer’s pain might be the societal expectations and patriarchal norms that weigh heavily on her. The poem implies that her marriage is a source of oppression, and the pain she experiences may result from the contagion of societal expectations that limit her freedom and self-expression.
In evaluating Aunt Jennifer and her artistry, it becomes a poignant commentary on the impact of societal pressures on individual creativity, suggesting that artistic expression can be a means of coping with and transcending personal pain caused by oppressive societal norms.
ii Imagine that Aunt Jennifer read the poem that Adrienne Rich wrote about Every poem breaks a silence that had to be overcome. – Adrienne Rich her. After much contemplation, she decided to write a letter to her husband expressing her feelings and thoughts. Write the letter as Aunt Jennifer.
Ans: My Dearest [Husband’s Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. There are words within me that have been silenced for far too long, and today, inspired by the wisdom of Adrienne Rich, I find the courage to break that silence.
In the tapestry of our life together, I have woven tigers bold and unafraid, yet my heart remains confined, ensnared in the threads of societal expectations and marital constraints. Rich’s words have stirred a longing within me to express the silent struggles that have burdened my spirit.
I yearn for understanding, for a connection that transcends the roles we are bound by. My art, like every poem, is an attempt to overcome a silence that has stifled my true essence. I implore you to hear my unspoken words, to perceive the tigers in my tapestry as more than mere threads but as a testament to the silent battles I fight.
Yours sincerely,
Aunt Jennifer
Extra Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Questions and Answers Class 12
What are the short answer of aunt Jennifer’s tigers?
Ans: “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” is a poem by Adrienne Rich. It explores the theme of oppressive marriage. The poem describes Aunt Jennifer’s needlework depicting powerful, fearless tigers, symbolizing her suppressed desires. The contrast between her art and her life highlights the tension between personal aspirations and societal constraints.
Why are tigers not afraid of man?
Ans: Tigers may exhibit fearlessness towards humans due to factors such as loss of natural fear, habituation, or desperation for food. Encounters with humans may lead to a diminished fear response, especially when tigers associate people with a lack of threat or a potential food source.
What is aunt Jennifer’s aim in life?
Ans: Aunt Jennifer’s aim in life, as depicted in Adrienne Rich’s poem, is to find a creative outlet for her suppressed desires and to assert her inner strength through her needlework. The tigers she creates symbolize the courage and freedom she yearns for within her oppressive marriage.
What kind of lady was aunt Jennifer?
Ans: Aunt Jennifer, as portrayed in Adrienne Rich’s poem, appears to be a subdued and oppressed woman. Her needlework, depicting powerful tigers, contrasts with her own life, suggesting unfulfilled desires for strength and freedom within the confines of a restrictive marriage.
What are her tigers symbolic of?
Ans: Aunt Jennifer’s tigers in Adrienne Rich’s poem symbolize her suppressed desires and aspirations for strength and freedom. The powerful and fearless nature of the tigers contrasts with Aunt Jennifer’s own subdued existence, reflecting her yearning for a life unconstrained by the oppressive forces in her marriage.
What are the qualities of aunt Jennifer’s tigers?
Ans: Aunt Jennifer’s tigers, as depicted in Adrienne Rich’s poem, possess qualities of strength, fearlessness, and vitality. The imagery suggests a stark contrast to Aunt Jennifer’s own subdued and oppressed existence, highlighting her yearning for empowerment and freedom through her art.
How has Mrs Jennifer failed in her aim?
Ans: Aunt Jennifer has seemingly failed in her aim as her needlework, while depicting powerful tigers, stands in stark contrast to her own subdued life. The oppressive marriage and societal constraints prevent her from fully embodying the strength and freedom symbolized by her artistic creations.
What did marriage do to aunt Jennifer?
Ans: Marriage has subdued Aunt Jennifer, as portrayed in Adrienne Rich’s poem. The oppressive nature of her marriage has left her with suppressed desires and a sense of constraint. The weight of societal expectations and patriarchal norms has diminished her strength and autonomy.
How many times did Jennifer marry?
Ans: Adrienne Rich’s poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” does not specify the number of times Aunt Jennifer married. The focus of the poem is on her artistic expression, the symbolism of the tigers, and the impact of an oppressive marriage on her life.
What did Aunt Jennifer have on her hand?
Ans: In Adrienne Rich’s poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers,” there is a mention of Aunt Jennifer’s wedding band on her hand. The wedding band symbolizes her marital commitment and serves as a tangible reminder of the oppressive nature of her marriage.
Why was aunt Jennifer unhappy?
Ans: Aunt Jennifer is portrayed as unhappy in Adrienne Rich’s poem due to her oppressive marriage. The weight of societal expectations and patriarchal norms suppresses her desires and autonomy, leading to a sense of unhappiness and unfulfillment in her life.
What lies in the store for aunt Jennifer?
Ans: Adrienne Rich’s poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” does not explicitly detail what lies in store for Aunt Jennifer in the future. The focus is on her current struggles within an oppressive marriage and the artistic expression of her desires through her needlework.
What lies heavily on aunt Jennifer’s hand?
Ans: Aunt Jennifer’s wedding band lies heavily on her hand in Adrienne Rich’s poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers.” This symbolizes the weight of her marital commitment and the oppressive nature of her marriage, contributing to her sense of constraint and unhappiness.
What is aunt Jennifer’s death?
Ans: Adrienne Rich’s poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” does not explicitly mention Aunt Jennifer’s death. The poem primarily focuses on her life, struggles within marriage, and her artistic expression through needlework depicting powerful tigers. The poem concludes without providing information about Aunt Jennifer’s death.
Who terrified aunt Jennifer?
Ans: Adrienne Rich’s poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” doesn’t explicitly mention who terrified Aunt Jennifer.
However, societal expectations, particularly within the confines of her marriage, burden and oppress Aunt Jennifer, contributing to her sense of fear and constraint, as suggested by the poem.
What was aunt Jennifer’s problem?
Ans: Aunt Jennifer’s problem, as depicted in Adrienne Rich’s poem, lies in her oppressive marriage. The weight of societal expectations and patriarchal norms suppresses her desires and autonomy, causing her to seek solace and expression in her needlework depicting powerful tigers.
In what state of mind is aunt Jennifer?
Ans: Aunt Jennifer appears to be in a state of emotional distress or suppression in Adrienne Rich’s poem. The oppressive nature of her marriage and societal expectations weigh heavily on her, reflected in the subdued and constrained tone of the poem.
How do Jennifer tigers behave?
Ans: Adrienne Rich depicts the behavior of Jennifer’s tigers through her needlework in the poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers.” The needlework portrays the tigers as powerful and fearless, symbolizing qualities Aunt Jennifer desires but cannot fully embody in her own life due to the constraints of her oppressive marriage.
Why did aunt Jennifer create tigers?
Ans: Aunt Jennifer created tigers in Adrienne Rich’s poem as a form of artistic expression and a means of projecting her suppressed desires. The powerful and fearless nature of the tigers symbolizes the strength and freedom that she yearns for within the confines of her oppressive marriage.
