Aunt Jennifer's Tigers Analysis

In reference to the position of women in American society, Malala Yousafzai once interestingly stated “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” This idea of women being “held back” and unable to exercise their individual identities in society is explored in Adrienne Rich’s Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers. Specifically, the woman poet examines the marginalization of women in society through the clear juxtaposition of Aunt Jennifer’s desire to be powerful like the fearless tigers, and the reality of her life as the subject of subjugation by her husband. Through her poem, Adrienne Rich establishes a microcosm reflective of a deep pattern of male perpetuance of the cycle of oppression of women. In reading about the unfair oppression of Aunt …show more content…
This saddening idea is revealed in the second stanza when the poet writes: “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.” Although Aunt Jennifer hopes to be like the tigers, her reality stands in stark contrast. The short phrase “find even the ivory needle hard to pull” expresses the stereotypical idea that women are physically inferior, as she finds even the simple task of “pulling” an “ivory needle” physically overwhelming. Even more detrimental is the weight the husband’s legacy has on Aunt Jennifer. Although matrimony is presumed to be a relationship where man and woman have the same power, she is repressed as her husband’s “wedding band” is pushing her down. Very similarly to before, I got sad when I read this stanza. It made me think of my position relative to the issue, and in this case, it was accepting the fact that the woman carries the last name of her husband when married. Although I have never questioned this reality, I now realize the danger of it. This poem made me realize how sexist this custom is and how it is a function of our patriarchal society fostering a culture around men. Furthermore, I also had a lot of sympathy for Aunt Jennifer because I have a younger sister, which made me view the poem more personally. This stanza scares me because it became extremely apparent to me the struggles my sister will encounter when she ventures into the larger world and as she grows older. Just like Aunt Jennifer, the power of her voice will be threatened and attacked, along with her value being shaped by a societal perception. This poem has opened my eyes to be more aware of the daily experiences of women so I can limit the effect my status as a man has on contributing to this reality, even when it