Highlight the contrast b/w Aunt Jennifer and her tigers ? Why did she create them?

Dear student,

The tigers are depicted as brave, strong, confident and happy. They are fearless beings and the presence of men does not scare them a bit. They are proud independent beings who are the important and acknowledged denizens of the cheerful and lively forest. Contrarily, Aunt Jennifer is burdened by a life which, most probably, others chose for her. She is far from happy and feels the responsibilities of the house which have been laid unsparingly on her. The marriage ring, further, represent the bounds of the patriarchal system and set up in which she is trapped. The male-domination and other societal constructs weigh on her individuality. Even her quiet attempt to enjoy a part of herself through art is constantly challenged by the opposing weight of the wedding band which can be seen as , metaphorically and literally, attempting to curb her independent streak. In contrast to the happy colours of the forest, her life is dull and plain. The tigers in the embroidery, thus, represent all that is lacking and wished for in the aunt's life.

In creating animals that are different from her own character, Aunt Jennifer found a means of living an alternate life that is denied to her: a life that is proud, free, fearless and sure of itself. The tigers denote her yearning for power, freedom and fearless living.
Through this difference, the poet may be indicating the prejudices of the patriarchal society that is unfair to females, especially the married ones.

Regards

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