VBQs Class 12 English Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers (Adrienne Rich)

Please refer to VBQs for Class 12 English Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers. All value based questions for English Class 12 have been provided with solutions. We have provided below important values questions and answers. Students should learn these solved VBQs for Class 12 English as these will help them to gain more marks and help improve understanding of important topics.

Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers VBQs Class 12 English with Answers

Question. Which of the following does NOT represent the contrast between Aunt Jennifer and the tigers?
(a) Uncertainty and confidence 
(b) Terror and fearlessness
(c) Serfdom and freedom
(d) Authority and autonomy

Question. The phrase ‘ringed with ordeals’ suggests the feeling of
(a) Imprisonment
(b) Burden
(c) Slavery
(d) Violence

Question. The tigers in the end indicate
(a) their immortality
(b) permanency of their nature
(c) transience of human life
(d) change in Aunt’s condition

Question. What do you understand by the words ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ in the poem?
(a) The dominant and highly arrogant attitude of the wild animal-tiger
(b) tiger is a wild animal
(c) tiger is hungry
(d) beauty of the tiger

Question. What is Aunt doing in the poem?
(a) Cooking
(b) Embroidery
(c) Reading
(d) Sleeping

Question. Who is the poet of the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers?
(a) Adrienne Rich
(b) Jonathan Aaron
(c) J. H. M. Abbott
(d) Mark Abley

Question. 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

Question. Select the suitable option for the given statements based on your reading of ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers.’
(i) Aunt Jennifer knows that even after her death, her struggles will never be over.
(ii) The suppression faced by Aunt Jennifer will continue as other women will be oppressed.
(a) 1 is true but 2 is false.
(b) 1 is false but 2 is true.
(c) Both 1 and 2 can be inferred.
(d) Both 1 and 2 cannot be inferred.

Question. Select the suitable option for the given statements, based on your reading of ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’.
(i) The uncle in the poem is representative of the all the oppressive forces in the society.
(ii) The Uncle and his family expectation has suppressed the Aunt.
(a) (i) is true but (ii) is false.
(b) (i) is false but (ii) is true.
(c) Both (i) and (ii) are true.
(d) Both and (ii) are false.

Question. Select the suitable option for the given statements, based on your reading of ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’.
(i) Aunt Jennifer finds her freedom in her work of art.
(ii) Aunt’s husband hates her artistic talents.
(a) (i) is true but (ii) is false.
(b) (i) is false but (ii) is true
(c) Both (i) and (ii) are true
(d) Both (i) and (ii) are false.

Question. What is the poet suggesting through the different nature of characters present in the poem?
(a) Diverse attitude regarding women
(b) Each and every individual is different and unique.
(c) Simultaneous nature of fears and strengths of aunt.
(d) Universal struggles of people.

Question. Choose the option that correctly paraphrases the given lines from the above extract.
“When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.”
(a) Aunt will only get free after death
(b) Aunt will be subdued even after her death
(c) Aunt will remember old memories even at her death
(d) Aunt cannot become brave even after death

Question. In the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’, the poet through the character of Aunt Jennifer highlights
(a) A happy married life
(b) Domination and oppression of women
(c) Aunt Jennifer’s artwork
(d) The nature of the tigers

Question. What is the reason for the poet to use tigers as a trope?
(a) To present a contrast
(b) To show how all females should be
(c) To bring symbolism as a literary device
(d) To give a grandeur presence in the poem

Question. Which of the following highlights the uniqueness of the poem?
(a) Use of colours
(b) Use of metaphor
(c) Moving from specific situation to general situation
(d) All of the above

Question. Aunt Jennifer feels the weight of the wedding band. 
This indicates
(a) her dissatisfaction with her marriage
(b) her anger in her marriage
(c) her isolation with her marriage
(d) her silence in her marriage

Question. The act of ‘embroidery’ is used by Adrienne Rich to dignify
(i) desires
(ii) need of expression
(iii) wishes
(iv) dreams
(v) ideals
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(b) (iii), (iv) and (v)
(c) (ii), (iii) and (iv)
(d) (i), (iv and (v)

Question. What might the “The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band” signify?
(a) Bliss
(b) discomfort
(c) Understanding
(d) Flexibility

Question. Read the statements given below. Choose the option that accurately describes the given statements. 
I. The poem is a manifesto against the institution of marriage.
II. Aunt Jennifer represents all women artists.
III. The poem embodies an alternative for women to express their repressed desires through art.
(a) I is true, II is false, III cannot be inferred.
(b) I and III are false, II cannot be inferred.
(c) I and II are true, III cannot be inferred.
(d) I is false, II cannot be inferred, III is true.

Extract Based MCQs :

1. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow 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. 

Question. The ivory needle used to embroider is ………… the difficulty in using it.
(a) symbolic of
(b) in sharp contrast to
(c) a distraction from
(d) representative of suppression which results in

Question. 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.

Question. How would you describe Aunt Jennifer based on the above extract?
(a) Oppressed
(b) Malnourished
(c) Aging
(d) Diseased

Question.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

Question. 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)

2. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow
“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.’’

Question. 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.

Question. Choose the option that DOES NOT reflect the movement implied by ‘prancing’.
(a) Bounding
(b) strutting
(c) Frolicking
(d) shuffling

Question. 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.

Question. Which of the following can be said to be the theme associated with the extract?
(a) With art lives the artist
(b) Women need to act while alive for liberation
(c) Male domination transcends centuries of struggle
(d) Both (a) and (b)

Question. 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.

Short Answer Type Questions : 

Question. How did Aunt Jennifer face the ordeals in her life?
Ans. Aunt Jennifer’s ordeals was that she was dominated by her husband and was denied freedom. To face the ordeals, she created woolen tigers with a needle. Her art is an expression of her inner desires. With the help of art she created a scene of free, and unafraid tigers in jungle.

Question. Would you say that the poem ends on a note of hope? Justify your opinion.
Ans. I do not believe that the poem ends on a note of hope. The end talks about Aunt Jennifer’s death and how she will still be subdued by the patriarchal forces. This indicates that even death does not provide any relief to the Aunt. Her story if remembered would still be full of the struggles, burdens and responsibilities that she faced in life. Even though her art will exist to represent her dreams, wishes and desires, she herself would not be able to enjoy them.

Question. Describe the tigers created by Aunt Jennifer.
Ans. The poet describes Aunt Jennifer’s tigers as ‘bright topaz denizens’ of the forest. They are fearless and ferocious in sharp contrast to their creator, Aunt Jennifer’s nervousness and timidity. Gallant and confident, they are sure of their purpose and move ahead undeterred by any kind of hindrance or obstruction.

Question. How has Aunt Jennifer created her tigers? What traits of tigers do they reveal?
Ans. Aunt Jennifer has created shining topaz yellow- coloured tigers who are denizens of a dense, green forest. They are fierce, unafraid and fearless and pace in ‘sleek’ and ‘chivalric’ certainty.

Question. Why are Aunt Jennifer’s hands fluttering through her wool?
Ans. Aunt Jennifer is a victim of gender oppression at the hands of her husband. She lives a life of total domination and constant fear. So she feels nervous and terrified that the hands shake and flutter through her wool as she sits down to knit.

Question. How does the poet use the image of ‘fingers fluttering through the wool’ to highlight Aunt Jennifer’s victimisation?
Ans. Through the image, the poet wants to state that Aunt Jennifer is burdened by the weight of her marriage and the responsibilities coming with it. Due to this, even holding wool firmly seems a big task to her. This highlights the oppressed state of women in the society.

Question. What are the ‘ordeals’ Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by, why is it significant that the poet uses the word ‘ringed’? 
Ans. ‘Ordeals’ refers to the oppression or painful experiences Aunt Jennifer has to face in a male dominated society. The poet uses the word ‘ringed’ in the context of the demands of society, which she is surrounded by. Throughout her life and maybe even afterwards, she will be controlled by society’s rules.

Question. How does Aunt Jennifer express her bitterness and anger against male dominance? 
Ans. Aunt Jennifer is too terrified to openly resist the oppression that she is a victim of. So, she expresses her bitterness and anger against male dominance silently through her art. She creates tigers-animals that are symbolic of bravery, fearlessness and strength on her tapestry. The tigers she creates are wild and free from any kind of bondage.

Question. What is suggested by the phrase, ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’? 
Ans. The phrase, ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’ refers to the oppressive marriage in which Aunt Jennifer was trapped. The marriage had subsumed her identity as an independent woman, reducing her to remain content with playing the role of a dutiful wife in the shadow of her husband. As a result, the ring has become a burden of unhappy marriage.

Question. ‘‘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. It is true that the act of knitting by Aunt Jennifer is similar to the act of writing poetry by Adrienne Rich. The act of knittingwas the creative expression of Aunt Jennifer’s talents through which she puts forward her desires, wishes and dreams. Similarly, writing poetry is her creative expression through which she propagates her ideas, thoughts and beliefs.

Question. Aunt Jennifer’s efforts to get rid of her fear proved to be futile. Comment. 
Ans. The trembling hands of Aunt Jennifer because of the weight of the ‘wedding band’ show that she still is a victim of male chauvinism. Even her death won’t free her from her ordeal as she will still be wearing the ring that symbolises her failed marriage.

Question. Describe the tigers created by Aunt Jennifer.
Ans. Aunt Jennifer’s tigers are bright yellow in colour. They are fearless and confident residents of dense green forests. The tigers represent strength, bravery and fearlessness. They are confident and graceful in their movements.

Question. 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. The poem Aunt Jennifer’s tigers break the silence of women suppression and oppression in the male dominated society. It talks about how women, her talents, and her ideas are silenced by the patriarchal institutions of the society. Throughout the poem, the central character of Aunt Jennifer is silent. She cannot speak about the discrimination faced by her by the hands of her husband and her family. However, her artistic creation functions to break her silence. It loudly speaks what she wants.

Question. What will happen to Aunt Jennifer’s tigers when she is dead? 
Ans. The tigers created by Aunt Jennifer will keep on prancing even after her death, as she has created them on the tapestry. It shows that her longing for freedom from male domination will endure forever, even after she dies. Her art will forever state her struggle.

Question. How are Aunt Jennifer’s tiger different from her?
Ans. Aunt Jennifer’s tigers created by her on the tapestry are in sharp contrast to their creator. While Aunt is weak, meek and submissive and is scared of expressing her feelings openly, the tigers are strong, fearless and confident. They are bold creatures and are scared of none, not even of men.

Question. Do you sympathise with Aunt Jennifer? What is the attitude of the poet towards Aunt Jennifer? 
Ans. Yes, we sympathise with Aunt Jennifer. She represents those women who are victimised by the male dominated society.
She feels oppressed and the rules of society do not allow her to express herself freely.
The poet herself is very critical of the treatment given to Aunt Jennifer. So she wants women to fight for their rights, rather than being silent victims of oppression.

Question. Why does Aunt Jennifer create animals that are so different from her own character?
Ans. Aunt Jennifer creates tigers, representing strength, fearlessness and confidence to express her longing of freedom and independence. She wants to get out of the bondage imposed by her husband if not in reality then at least symbolically. Her tigers express her hidden desires and unfulfilled wishes.

Question. How do symbols in the poem, ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ help us understand her plight? 
Ans. There are many symbols found in the poem that function to highlight Aunt Jennifer’s plight. Tigers are a symbol of strength and fearlessness. They are also symbolic of Aunt Jennifer’s inner desire to be free from oppression. ‘Ring’ is another symbol which represents bondage. ‘Wedding band’ is a symbol of oppression. Aunt Jennifer herself is a symbol of all females/women.

Question. What pictures of male chauvinism do we find in the poem, ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’?
Ans. In ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger’, we find the picture of male chauvinism through the presence of the ‘wedding ring’ which bound her to her dominating husband. Aunt Jennifer faced great hardships in her married life. She led a terrifying and oppressed life wherein she had never been free but a helpless victim of male chauvinism. Dominated and terrorised by her husband, Aunt Jennifer struggled for an existence within the deep conflicts of suppression.

Long Answer Type Questions :

Question. Explain the stark difference in the death of Aunt Jennifer and the tigers prancing.
Ans. There are two living images presented in the poem the tigers and Aunt Jennifer. Both these figure gave different reactions to the death of Aunt Jennifer, Aunt Jennifer in her death gradually fades away. She gets defeated due to her unfulfilled desires. She perhaps accepts the bondage of domination as her fingers still remain ringed and she dies surrounded by the difficulties in her life.
The tigers on the other hand remain constant and only seem to become stronger as the poem progresses. These tigers depict the cherished world of freedom prancing in pride, a world
which Aunt Jennifer will never able to enjoy. It gives us a practical look at the reality that Aunt Jennifer never wins and she accepts her defeat stoically as she conforms to the society
she has lived in. She bears the weight of the ring, whether dead or alive, because she has already given up her freedom by getting married.

Question. Feminism refers to a collection of movements and ideologies that advocate women’s rights and seeks to establish equal opportunities for women in all spheres. Discuss with reference to ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’.
Ans. All of us live in a patriarchal society wherein a male is considered as superior to female. As a result, women have always been considered as subservient to men. They have had to suppress their desires and emotions.
The poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ is the presentation of all such females. In the poem, the poet expresses the inner feelings of Aunt Jennifer. She is embroidering a motif comprising of energetic, fearless tigers moving freely around the bright greenery.
However, her life is the exact opposite of the tigers. She is living a life of submissiveness to her husband’s command. Her acts are dominated by him and she fears him constantly. The wedding ring on her hand is a constant reminder that she belongs to her husband. This torments her and it will not end until her death. Even after her death, the ring will remain on her hand and she will never be free.
Feminism then emerged as a collection of movements and ideologies that advocate women’s rights. It seeks to establish equal opportunities for women in all spheres of life. Through this poem, Adrienne Rich is expressing her solidarity with the movement while presenting the pitiable conditions of women all over the world.

Question. Imagine that Aunt Jennifer read the poem that Adrienne Rich wrote about her. After much contemplation, she decided to write a letter to her husband expressing her feelings and thoughts. Write a letter as Aunt Jennifer.
Ans. Dear Husband,
You might be surprised why I am writing you a letter and not telling you this face to face but I am terrified of you reaction. Yes, I am terrified but this feeling is not new to me. I have always been terrified of you and your reaction to everything I do. When I got married to you, I expected a life of respect, equality and freedom. But my expectations were shattered bitterly. I was not given any freedom, not even to embroider which you very well know I love. Then, suddenly all the filial responsibilities were put on me and everyone expected me to excel in it.
You know I never thought I would be able to tell this to you out loud, but I had to. You know Adrienne Rich wrote about it all and that is what encouraged me to at least let you know the things I have gone through because of the social expectations. I do not blame you because I know you had no idea of how I felt but now after telling you all this, I expect you to support me.
Hoping that you understand me.
Yours lovingly
Jennifer

Question. Analyse the symbols and poetic devices employed in the poem.
Ans. Adrienne Rich has aptly used a number of images, symbols and poetic devices in the poem to convey the theme. The tigers symbolise the freedom of spirit which Aunt Jennifer dreams of attaining, but never achieves except in her dreams and art. Aunt Jennifer metaphorically represents all women as a group, women who are victims of male superiority and domination. Tigers symbolise the true nature of a woman’s free soul that values strength and assertion.
There lies a metaphor in the implied comparison of the tigers to the bright topaz denizens where tigers are considered to be the inhabitants of the forests, the crafted green world on the panel. The tigers are also attributed with the quality of chivalry in their confidence. The alliteration in ‘fingers fluttering’ evokes the sense of irony in the poem, as the fingers signify
Jennifer’s physical feebleness. She therefore finds it difficult to pull the ivory needle. The alliteration ‘prancing proud’ in complete contrast signifies the everlasting strength of the tigers.

Extract Based Questions :

Question. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow
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. 
(i) Why are Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool?
(ii) What is Aunt Jennifer doing that she finds very hard to do? 
(iii) Why does the wedding band seem too heavy?
(iv) What impression do you form of Aunt Jennifer from the extract?
(v) Describe the irony in the third line.
Ans. (i) Aunt Jennifer’s fingers are fluttering through her wool, because she is nervous and anxious. She is so scared of her dominant husband that she finds the ivory needle hard to pull.
(ii) Aunt Jennifer is doing embroidery of the image of tigers on a panel.
(iii) The wedding band seems too heavy as it symbolises the heavy burden of marriage. It represents the unhappy and oppressive marriage wherein Aunt Jennifer is trapped.
(iv) From the given extract, we find Aunt Jennifer to be weak and submissive. She seems to be unhappy in her situation and wants to rebel against it.
(v) The irony in the third line is that Aunt Jennifer’s wedding band which should be a symbol of blissful conjugal marriage, became a symbol of her bondage to her husband and his overpowering nature.

Question. Read the given extract to attempt questions that follows
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. 
(i) Why are the tigers called Aunt Jennifer’s tigers?
(ii) How are they described here?
(iii) How are they different from Aunt Jennifer?
(iv) What does the word, ‘chivalric’ mean?
(v) What does the phrase, ‘a world of green’ mean?
Ans. (i) The tigers are called Aunt Jennifer’s tigers as they were being embroidered on the tapestry by Aunt Jennifer.
They are also the representation of her hidden aspirations and desires.
(ii) The tigers have been described here as bold and fearless. They are described as confident and chivalric. They are bright golden coloured inhabitants of the jungles.
(iii) The tigers are different from Aunt Jennifer as they are shown as symbols of strength, fearlessness and confidence. Aunt Jennifer on the other hand is a timid female who is burdened with marital responsibilities.
(iv) The word ‘chivalric’ means ‘gallant’ or ‘brave’.
(v) The phrase ‘a world of green’ indicates the green forest to which the tigers belong.

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

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

Question. What is the difference between her and the tigers?
Ans. Aunt Jennifer is weak and timid, whereas the tigers she has crafted with embroidery are fearless and dominant.

Question. Why is she “ringed with ordeals”?
Ans. As she is married with a typical dominant male, her life is full of ordeals of marital sufferings. The wedding ring has become a burden for her.

Question. Why has Aunt Jennifer created the tigers so different from her own character?
Ans. The tigers she depicts are the embodiment of her desired self that is suppressed in her mind. She wants to be free like them but she seems unable to free herself.

Question. Who is the aunt mentioned here?
Ans. The aunt mentioned in the extract is a lady named Jennifer.