Aunt Jennifer's Tigers - A poem by Adrienne Rich


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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 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.

Added: on September 4th, 2007 at 10:19 PM | Viewed: 27716 times | Comments and analysis of Aunt Jennifer's Tigers by Adrienne Rich Comments (20)

Aunt Jennifer's Tigers - Comments and Information
Poet: Adrienne Rich Poem: Aunt Jennifer's Tigers Year: Published/Written in 1951 Comment 20 of 20, added on March 9th, 2008 at 5:09 PM. This is pat of my curriculum and i love this poem and at first i thought it was about abuse in a marital relationship but now i think it is more about general patriarchy. akshay from India Comment 19 of 20, added on October 29th, 2007 at 11:31 AM. I imagine that the tigers are actually masters by thier own right, while the creator of them is infact enslaved. Here the irony exists. D from Trinidad and Tobago, Republic Comment 18 of 20, added on September 4th, 2007 at 10:19 PM. as adrienne focuses on the tiger she includes colors, which I believe are choosen colors to help focus on happiness and to hope that Aunt Jennifer's marriage will become better. And if any body knows the answer to this question: does Aunt Jennifer die? Hampton Graham from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Aunt Jennifer's Tigers, has received 20 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Adrienne Rich with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Adrienne Rich Poem: Aunt Jennifer's Tigers Year: Published/Written in 1951 Last read: May 9 2008, 4:55PM Viewed 27716 times. Added on September 4th, 2007 at 10:19 PM.

Rich Info
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