Aunt Jennifer's Tigers Essay

drienne Rich (1929-2012) was by many regarded as the voice of her generation. Her work was often political, and her poetry explored themes such as change, feminism and sex. In the earlier years, having a family, she often wrote her poems in between chores. Perhaps it was her traditional lifestyle gave her work a “neat and orderly” (Rich, as cited in Mays 912) tint. “Aunt Jennifer's tigers” was published at the mere age of 21. As times changed, so did her poetry, growing more social and political, and “less quiet and modest” (Rich, as cited in Mays 913) and she published among other works the famous “Diving into the Wreck” (1972) (Mays 913). After her husband passed she lived in a relationship with a woman for quite some time and her later poems often talked about love between women (Mays 912). In this essay I will explore “Aunt Jennifer's tigers” feminist theme, and that in my view, despite its demure first appearance, is a loud battle call for men and women alike; to aspire for a societal change and reflect on the patriarchal structures in …show more content…
Adrienne Rich stated that poetry should act “as breaker of official silences, as a voice for those whose voices as disregarded and as a human birthright” (Mays 929). In “Aunt Jennifer's tigers” she is expressing the voice of the domesticated woman, who through her handiwork, traditionally women's work, is able to voice a longing for a stronger, prouder self. The tigers, in stark contrast to Jennifer, allows her to explore her need for freedom. In my view, even the rhythm gives the reader a hint that this is a battle cry as every stanza ends in heroic couplets, luring the reader to think of great epic tales. It is my belief, that this poem wishes to make the public aware of the patriarchal structures in the world and perhaps mostly this; that we should beware of the tigers within women, ready to prance once set free of their