In the poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers,” Adrienne Rich depicts Aunt Jennifer as a submissive and unassuming woman who is oppressed by her marriage and societal expectations. The title of the poem, “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers,” emphasizes the significance of the tigers in her life. Despite being dominated by her husband, Aunt Jennifer seeks solace and freedom through her knitting. As a woman nearing the end of her life, she is trapped in her husband’s authoritarian regime.
To cope with her unhappiness in her submissive life, aunt Jennifer sews elaborate and visible tigers. This act symbolizes her desire for a life free from fear and constraints. The opening stanza of the poem describes the tigers as lively and free, representing what Aunt Jennifer longs for. “Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen/Bright topaz denizens of a world of green” (1-2). This vivid image evokes a sense of joy and independence.
Aunt Jennifer seeks freedom and liveliness. She finds solace in sewing because she cannot experience joy and vivacity at home. In contrast, the tigers symbolize everything Aunt Jennifer desires but lacks. They fearlessly pursue their desires and are not hindered by anyone or anything. The tigers remind Aunt Jennifer of a child admiring a superhero who embodies their dreams. The second stanza of the poem reveals Aunt Jennifer’s paranoia and her desire to escape her marriage. She sews quickly, suggesting a sense of urgency during her moments of freedom.
Perhaps Jennifer is afraid that her aggressive and demanding husband will catch her, or perhaps she is unsure if she will ever finish the quilt and feels rushing is her only option. “The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s Hand (7-8).” Although it is highly unlikely for a ring to be so heavy that it immobilizes her hand, this irony highlights that her marriage is the complete opposite of what she had hoped for. Aunt Jennifer’s marriage may be the biggest mistake of her life, and she longs to escape, which she does while sewing.
The final stanza of this poem contains imagery that connects back to the first two stanzas, illustrating that Aunt Jennifer did not live the life she desired. However, it suggests that she will find happiness and freedom through the tigers in the afterlife. The first line indicates that Aunt Jennifer is fearful because of her husband: “Her terrified hands will lie/ Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by” (9-10). This line echoes the second stanza where Aunt Jennifer hurriedly worked to rid herself of the burden of her husband’s wedding band.
Perhaps Aunt Jennifer’s hands are so terrified because of the emotional and physical abuse she endures from her controlling husband. The final two lines of the stanza and poem connect back to the first line of the first stanza. The tigers that Aunt Jennifer has created are still present in the panel, and they will prance courageously without fear, as described in the verse “prancing, proud and unafraid” (12). These tigers, which she created with fear and anxiety in her difficult life, will continue to be free forever. Despite living a life filled with fear and depression, Aunt Jennifer managed to find a way to create a sense of happiness that will endure even after her passing.
The poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” by Adrienne Rich showcases a woman’s courage to confront her spouse’s negativity. Despite facing unhappiness, Aunt Jennifer channels her emotions into creating beautiful quilts that depict a life she longs to have. Rich captivates the reader with a three-stanza structure, traditional lyrics, and end rhymes in each stanza. This emphasizes the message that even when surrounded by negativity, individuals can find small acts of positivity to maintain hope.
Aunt Jennifer discovered a way to find happiness even when there was no hope. It would be beneficial for many individuals to read this poem and identify something they can create that will provide a creative means of lasting beyond death. Aunt Jennifer certainly achieved this.
Works Cited
“Quoting Poetry within a Paper Using MLA Documentation.”
“Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” is a poem referenced in Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing by X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia (2007).
Citation: MLA Documentation. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. Print.
