AUNT JENNIFER'S TIGERS 

"Aunt Jennifer's Tigers" is a 1951 poem by American poet Adrienne Rich. It appeared in her first published book of poems, A Change of World. Told from the perspective of an anonymous speaker, the poem describes a woman, Aunt Jennifer, who crafts vibrant tapestry panels (depicting tigers) to escape—mentally, at least—her unhappy marriage. Written at a time when divorce was unacceptable, the poem criticizes the traditional institution of marriage, suggesting that it oppresses women.

Adrienne Rich, "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 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.

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.

Resources:

1) Powerpoint Presentation of the poem

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q4i6fJ9qUCxwqx8rkcg7Sjx84ehY7uyy/view?usp=sharing

2) Explanation Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARFaKN2rejE&feature=youtu.be

3) Revision Notes on the poem

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ziPPLfN5qcSp8NQ_-Kw0mOC7D5AVkFFh/view?usp=sharing

4) Comprehension Questions

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15O4DxP_Hp2tdsZfIHkQ68jhuBpWS3rR5/view?usp=sharing