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AA PRESENTATIONA PRESENTATION

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Thank A PRESENTATION you by

Vandana Varma

AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERSAUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS

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ADRIENNE RICHADRIENNE RICH

ABOUT THE POETABOUT THE POET

Born in 1924 in Baltimore, MarylandBorn in 1924 in Baltimore, Maryland An activist of contemporary women’s An activist of contemporary women’s

movementmovement Nineteen volumes of poetry, three Nineteen volumes of poetry, three

collections of essays and other writings collections of essays and other writings to her creditto her credit

An echo of strong resistance to racism An echo of strong resistance to racism and militarism through her workand militarism through her work

Theme of the poemTheme of the poem The Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers addresses the The Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers addresses the

constraints of married life.constraints of married life. The tigers symbolize the suppressed The tigers symbolize the suppressed

desire of the poet to be fierce and desire of the poet to be fierce and fearless like them.fearless like them.

Only body can be subjected to Only body can be subjected to subjugation, not the desires which find an subjugation, not the desires which find an out let in art.out let in art.

Physical suffering ends with death.Physical suffering ends with death.

Features of the poemFeatures of the poem

Simple and easy languageSimple and easy language Purposeful diction/ choice of wordsPurposeful diction/ choice of words Powerful imagesPowerful images Symbolic expressionSymbolic expression Hope restored in the final coupletHope restored in the final couplet Personal/ autobiographical touchPersonal/ autobiographical touch Scarce alliterationScarce alliteration

IMAGES IN THE POEMIMAGES IN THE POEM

Tigers prance across the screenTigers prance across the screen Bright topaz denizensBright topaz denizens World of greenWorld of green The men beneath the treeThe men beneath the tree Pace in sleek chivalric….Pace in sleek chivalric…. Fingers fluttering through woolFingers fluttering through wool Ivory needleIvory needle

ImagesImages

Massive weight…aunt Jennifer’s handMassive weight…aunt Jennifer’s hand Terrified handTerrified hand Tigers in the panel…..proud and unafraidTigers in the panel…..proud and unafraid

WHAT DIFFERENCE DO THEY MAKE?WHAT DIFFERENCE DO THEY MAKE?

Description with a differenceDescription with a difference VividnessVividness ClarityClarity SensuousnessSensuousness LivelinessLiveliness Rainbow touch (pleasant colours)Rainbow touch (pleasant colours) Imprint of individuality Imprint of individuality

What difference do they What difference do they make?make?

Strong lasting impactStrong lasting impact Reveal individual preferences/passionsReveal individual preferences/passions Relate to the poet’s life/ psycheRelate to the poet’s life/ psyche

COMPREHENSION CHECKCOMPREHENSION CHECK

What do the words ‘denizens’ and What do the words ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ tell you about the tigers?‘chivalric’ tell you about the tigers?

The emotions expressed in the second The emotions expressed in the second stanza are in sharp contrast with the stanza are in sharp contrast with the emotions in the first stanza. How?emotions in the first stanza. How?

What does the image of the fearless What does the image of the fearless tigers symbolize?tigers symbolize?

What is the poet trying to suggest in theWhat is the poet trying to suggest in the

Comprehension checkComprehension check

Last stanza? Answer with particularLast stanza? Answer with particular

reference to the words ‘ordeal’ & ‘ringed’.reference to the words ‘ordeal’ & ‘ringed’.

What is the attitude of the poet towardsWhat is the attitude of the poet towards

aunt Jennifer? How do you feel about aunt aunt Jennifer? How do you feel about aunt

Jennifer?Jennifer?

Comment on the use of ‘imagery’ in the Comment on the use of ‘imagery’ in the poem.poem.

Thank youThank you

AA

PresentationPresentation

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Vandana VarmaVandana Varma