Aunt Jennifer, the subject of the poem "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers" by Adrienne Rich, faced several ordeals in her life, as revealed through the poem.
The Ordeals of Aunt Jennifer:
- A Controlling Marriage: The poem depicts Aunt Jennifer as trapped in a controlling marriage. The "wedding band" she wears is described as "swollen" on her finger, symbolizing the suffocating nature of her marriage. This ordeal is further emphasized by the "terrified hands" that "quilt the tiger" and the "terrible" "hands" that "pull the thread."
- Lack of Personal Freedom: The poem suggests that Aunt Jennifer is unable to express herself freely. Her hands, which create the beautiful tigers, are described as "terrified," highlighting the constraints she faces in her life. The contrast between the "proud, free" tigers and Aunt Jennifer's "terrified hands" emphasizes the lack of freedom she experiences.
- Emotional Burden: The poem also reveals the emotional burden Aunt Jennifer carries. She is described as "unwilling" to "weave" the "tiger" and "unwilling" to "look" at the "design." This suggests she's carrying a heavy emotional weight that prevents her from fully engaging with her creative process.
These ordeals paint a picture of Aunt Jennifer's life as one filled with constraints and limitations. The poem, through its imagery and symbolism, highlights the struggles of women in patriarchal societies and their limited opportunities for self-expression and freedom.
