Symbolism In Aunt Jennifer's Tigers By Adrienne Rich

Decent Essays
Everything that appears on the surface is not always as it seems. Sometimes words that are not actually spoken, speak louder than those that are. In Adrienne Rich’s poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers,” the eventful death of Aunt Jennifer is easily understood with symbolism such as tigers in the wild and Aunt Jennifer’s wedding band that is used to contrast the control her husband has on her with her embroidering artwork of tigers that are free and happy in the wild. Symbolism like the colors and types of materials used also help to contrast the control Aunt Jennifer’s husband has on her which eventually leads to her death, however, the tigers continue to live happily and free in the wild. Tigers are majestic and fierce animals that cannot be controlled. Rich uses color symbolism to represent the freedom of the tigers that Aunt Jennifer embroiders. “Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,/Bright topaz denizens of a world of green” (Rich 1-2). The color green symbolizes positivity and safety. Aunt Jennifer embroiders with mostly green to show that the tigers are happy and safe. Aunt Jennifer lives through her artwork. She wishes to be as strong and free as the tigers but she cannot be due to her husband. Aunt Jennifer wishes she could be carefree and …show more content…
Rich contrasts Aunt Jennifer’s marriage through the tigers in artwork sewed by Aunt Jennifer. Aunt Jennifer’s troubled marriage is symbolized by her “heavy” wedding band. The wedding band itself does not hold Aunt Jennifer down but the marriage itself does. The tigers are used as symbolism to contrast the freedom and strength that Aunt Jennifer wishes to behold within herself. Aunt Jennifer may look fine on the surface but deep down she holds a sense of remorse for having married her husband and not being as strong as the tigers to leave him when she becomes unhappy with their abusive

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    In Frank Stockton’s “The Lady or the Tiger” and Charlotte Stetson’s “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the protagonist is forced to conform to the society in which she lives. In “The Lady or the Tiger,” the king’s daughter must endure her father’s harsh laws, and watch as her lover is thrown into an arena, forced to randomly choose a fate: a life married to a beautiful woman, or a terrifying death by tiger. In “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the main character struggles with post- partum depression. Her husband, John, who also acts as her physician, sentences her to bed rest, hoping this will cure her depression. In both stories, a life altering conflict is brought to pass by loved, trusted males.…

    • 262 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Bambara does not explain what kind of neighborhood this is but the reader is able to get an image of it through the language. " And the starch in my pinafore scratching the shit outta me and I'm really hating this nappy-headed bitch and her goddamn college degree" (Bambara 136). This sentence gives the image that this is a poor, low class neighborhood. The reader is able to identify that this is not a high-class place, but one possibly in the slums.…

    • 993 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Beet Queen Analysis

    • 772 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Imagery can greatly enhance a literary work not only for the reader’s imagination, but also for motifs and metaphors. Louise Erdrich’s novel The Beet Queen discusses the Adares sibling’s move to North Dakota. North Dakota is described as grey, and depressing. The surroundings greatly effect Karl, but Mary seems less effected.…

    • 772 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    She sees the look of realization on the faces of the ones who have caused her so much pain as the questions are “like a blow on the face.” Her anger is brief but powerful as she drowns in the weight of her grief once more when she sees the “dying” and “neglect” of her children. Given our knowledge of generic conventions such as personification, symbolism, and historical context, the reader is given an even better understanding of the underlying theme and message of the…

    • 1235 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    One in seventeen Americans live with a serious mental illness such as, schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar disorder according to the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses. A person living with these mental illnesses can be very difficult to take care of, especially if the circumstances are extreme. The novella, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, and the short story, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, portray the hardships of a person with a mental and physical disorder. Both authors demonstrate the struggles associated with caring for an invalid by utilizing symbolism to represent these characters and by examining the dreams of those struggling for hope. Mental and physical illnesses effected one of the main characters in both stories.…

    • 1043 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Throughout life, one is influenced by relationships, whether it be from close friends, strangers or even house pets. The intrinsic nature of oneself is developed through interpersonal interactions and one’s character continues to evolve through life. Likewise, in Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants, the different types of relationships Jacob Jankowski experiences in his youth lead to his development into a caring, compassionate and understanding man. Yet, Jacob’s strong sexual desire for women leads him to disregard love and forgo empathy.…

    • 908 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Opposition is Just an Idea “The Bear” written by William Faulkner is a short story told through the eyes of the main character, Isaac “Ike” McCaslin. The short story portrays how “Ike’s childhood is structured on the promise and then the reality, of the participating in the autumnal hunt in the big woods” ultimately to capture the bear named Old Ben (Anna Priddy Go Down, Moses). Through symbolism, characterization, and imagery, William Faulkner proves that one should not let opposing views alter his thinking. Within “The Bear,” Faulkner uses symbolism to show how Ike has grown as a character and how he does not let the views of others change what he believes.…

    • 1171 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    While upon first glance her corpus seems to be filled with elementary age written material- one word titles such as “Poppies”, “Ponds”, and “Daisies”, and seemingly undersized poems- Mary Oliver’s sharp observation of the natural world and all it’s inhabitants allows her to transcend and creatively tackle some of the toughest topics to pen, such as death and the meaning of life, in a way that allows readers of every age to grapple with and discern her conclusions. Many of her poems captured in her Pulitzer Prize winning collection “New and Selected Poetry” feature her rapturous lyricism covering her absent apprehension about what will happen after she takes her last earthly breath. Through her use of symbolism, light and dark imagery, and allusion in her poem “White Owl Flies Into and Out of the Field” (page 99), Oliver argues that death is not something that should preoccupy human fears but should rather be accepted by all.…

    • 1200 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The use of symbolism adds meaning to complex concepts. Symbols are used to represent ideas authors want to get across to the reader. In the “Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurs the use of symbols are important to the story. The narrator had a brother named Doodle who was born with a heart condition being portrayed as very weak, sick, frail and different. He was not expected to survive however he overcame many obstacles learning how to walk, jump, swim and in the end run.…

    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In North Korea most people don’t know what “freedom” means, in China most people don’t know what “opinion” means, in the Middle East most people don’t know what “solution” means, and in America most people don’t know what “the rest of the world” means. From shaping personalities to affecting perceptions, culture is the invisible bond that ties individuals together in a society. At a young age, people absorb cultural values and beliefs which are manifested through one’s lifestyle. Culture strongly influences the ways of thinking and living. The differences in these factors is what causes diversity among cultures in several parts of the world.…

    • 1046 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Standing in the face of what you fear most, you’re overcome with so many thoughts and whirling emotions that stir you around until you’re sick on the floor. The little envelope of your instincts tells you to run, but imaginary chains tie you to your spot. In The Company of Wolves by Angela Carter, Little Red Riding Hood is transformed from this scared, tied-to-the-spot girl into an empowered, unafraid young woman. Her encounter with a handsome young man who promises a kiss seduces her into an encounter with his true, beastly form. Instead of running, she sheds her last bit of protection, her clothing, and accepts the wolf as a tender and loving beast.…

    • 1178 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the short story "Scar" by Amy Tan, the title is thoroughly complemented to the story. The author creates an organized plot that exhibits the numerous uses of literary devices such as symbolism, figurative language, and progression in order to make it obvious to the reader that the title brings out the entire premise of the story. Amy Tan uses a great deal of symbolism in her novella which stands out in her work and makes her writing more compellingand appealing to the reader. Her symbolism points out precisely how important the scar really is in relation to the title and the story. For example, it is stated that "With her pretty, pale face, my mother appeared to float in the room, like a ghost" (Tan 16-17).…

    • 1164 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Tiger and the Lady Essay

    • 639 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Tiger or the Lady? In the story, “The Tiger or the Lady” by Frank Stockton”, a young handsome man, whom the princess was in loved with, was accused of committing the horrible crime of loving the beautiful, barbaric princess. Therefore, he was sent to the King’s Arena, where he shall be put to death. The “semi- barbaric king” (1) found that this joy of human torture was most genial, bringing great pleasure to his hateful heart and empty soul.…

    • 639 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the eyes of a man of high royalty. This piece speaks to me because even since the bible days’ things have not changed. Women are pushing their bodies to the limit to please men. By doing crash diets, harmful surgeries, and many more unnecessary things. The colors correlates with the sadness in her eyes you can see the pain and hopelessness.…

    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Adrienne Rich 's piece, “Diving into the Wreck” published in 1973 takes readers on a journey to the seemingly complex pits of the ocean to view a vividly described shipwreck (McKay, “Adrienne Rich”). Rich paints a picture of her mysterious journey to the shipwreck and forces the audience to take a closer look at what the shipwreck as well as her overall journey are truly symbolizing. Adrienne Rich effortlessly includes several elements and vehicles of poetry within her piece such as imagery, allusions, repetition, and symbolism in order to create a piece which allows her to expose the theme of gender identity and gender roles within society as well as the overall theme of finding oneself after disaster, despair, and the recurrence of unfortunate…

    • 1222 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays