"Aunt Jennifer's Tigers"
The tigers, which are representative of what women could be if they were not held back by the bounds of social expectations, are not fearful of any bonds which men might put on them, for they know that they are free. The use of the word "prance" to describe the activities of Aunt Jennifer's tigers indicates cheerfulness and assurance. (ln 1) The reader's first glance of these tigers is one of viewing their happiness and self-confidence in a situation where they are free from restraints.As the tigers are prancing, not crouching, they s
She uses denizen, being one who is free and at home in any region, which is used to represent the complete freedom of these tigers. how that they are neither hunting nor fearful of being hunted by the men. This role weighs upon Aunt Jennifer, and like a shackle, keeps her from being the kind of person that she might have been if she hadn't felt society's pressure to get married and play a traditional married women's role in life. (ln 2) By standing out so distinctly from their "world of green," the tigers represent the bravery of those women who risk being denounced by their gender by not following the standards set for them by society. They are truly uncaring to the men's presence. This represents the feminist ideal of women, defining themselves in terms of each other as opposed to husbands, boyfriends, brothers, or fathers. This also has to do with the part of the poem that states "The massive weight of Uncle's wedding band," and the fact that Aunt Jennifer will die beaten and mastered by society's view of women and her husband's power over her. At the time Adrienne Rich wrote this, a married woman was almost required by society to play an oppressed role, being obedient and submissive to her husband. By using "bright topaz" the contrast of colors she uses in the poem indicates dominance of the tigers in their world. (ln 2) The tigers, though inhabitants of the panel that Aunt Jennifer is making, could be anywhere and remain as free as they appear on the screen.
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