Aunt Jennifer's Tigers - A poem by Adrienne Rich

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 June 17th, 2008 at 1:54 PM | Viewed: 36345 times | Comments and analysis of Aunt Jennifer's Tigers by Adrienne Rich Comments (24)

Aunt Jennifer's Tigers - Comments and Information
Poet: Adrienne Rich (Adrienne Rich Art) Poem: Aunt Jennifer's Tigers Year: Published/Written in 1951 Comment 24 of 24, added on November 18th, 2009 at 1:09 AM. english i am quite delighted to read about the revolts to patriarichal society.Creation of tigers gives strength to the oppressed womwn. raka kaul from India Comment 23 of 24, added on October 7th, 2009 at 9:55 AM. 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers' is a revolutionary poem.It revolts aginst the oppression done by the male dominated society to the innocent women class.The death of the aunt warns the women of the society to awake and fight for their freedom and right,otherwise,they have to face the same trouble and torture as the aunt faced.The poetess vividly portraits the suffering of the aunt through poetic devices. a.k.sutradhar from India Comment 22 of 24, added on June 17th, 2008 at 1:54 PM. It's an expression to project the way women are suppressed in our so called male dominated society. many a times the aspirations and talents lie latent , aunt jenny moves ahead give a silent but bold reply to the dominance silently and aptly.Weaves her dream on the panel and quietly give vent to her needs ,though none have understood yet she has kept her hope desire alive. sumita dhar from India 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 24 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: Nov 22 2009, 2:40PM Viewed 36345 times. Added on June 17th, 2008 at 1:54 PM.

Rich Info
Biography More Poems (31 poems) Books