"A Tiger in the Zoo" by Leslie Norris CLASS X CBSE FIRST FLIGHT
Introduction to A TIGER IN THE ZOO
“A Tiger in the Zoo” by Leslie Norris contrasts the majestic life a tiger should lead in the wild with the confined, helpless existence it suffers in a zoo. Through vivid imagery, the poet highlights the beauty, strength, and natural instincts of the tiger, while also criticizing human cruelty that robs the animal of its freedom. The poem is both a description and a subtle protest against the captivity of wild creatures.
Summary of A TIGER IN THE ZOO
The poem portrays a tiger in two contrasting situations: inside a cage and in his natural habitat. In captivity, the tiger is confined behind bars, walking in rage but powerless to change his situation. The poet shows how the tiger’s natural instincts—stalking prey, hiding in shadow, and terrorizing villagers—are suppressed. Instead, he lives a life of silent anger, trapped and restricted. The poem highlights the irony of a majestic animal being forced into a powerless, artificial life, emphasizing the theme of freedom versus captivity.
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Explanation of the Poem A TIGER IN THE ZOO
Stanza 1
“He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.”
Analysis:
The poet describes the tiger in the zoo, pacing back and forth within the limited space of his cage. His stripes are vivid and beautiful, but the tiger can only move a few steps. His movements are soft and silent, symbolizing suppressed strength. The “quiet rage” indicates the anger and frustration within him—anger at his imprisonment, yet powerless to express it.
Stanza 2
“He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.”
Analysis:
Here the poet shifts to what the tiger’s life should naturally be like—in the wild. The tiger should be hiding in the shadows, moving stealthily through the tall grass, waiting for prey near a water hole. This description emphasizes the tiger’s lost freedom, natural hunting instincts, and the contrast between captivity and wilderness.
Stanza 3
“He should be snarling around houses
At the jungle’s edge,
Baring his white fangs, his claws,
Terrorising the village!”
Analysis:
The poet further imagines the tiger in its rightful environment—close to villages on the jungle’s edge. With sharp claws and teeth, the tiger would create fear among villagers. This stanza captures the raw power and dominance of the tiger, contrasting it with the helplessness of his current situation in captivity.
Stanza 4
“But he’s locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors.”
Analysis:
The poet returns to the tiger’s reality. Instead of roaming free, the tiger is trapped inside a cemented cage, his immense strength wasted behind bars. He walks up and down, repeating the same movements, a symbol of monotony and frustration. The tiger ignores visitors because they cannot understand his pain, and he finds no connection with them.
Stanza 5
“He hears the last voice at night,
The patrolling cars,
And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.”
Analysis:
In the final stanza, the poet shows the tiger’s loneliness at night. The zoo is silent except for the sound of patrolling cars. The tiger, instead of sleeping peacefully in the jungle, looks at the stars in silence. His eyes shine bright, but they reflect helplessness, longing, and lost freedom. This contrast between his natural power and his present confinement makes the poem deeply moving.
7. Modal Verbs
Word Meanings from A Tiger in the Zoo
1. stalks – moves stealthily, often in pursuit of prey
2. vivid – bright and striking
3. lurking – hiding or moving in shadows
4. snarling – making an angry, warning sound
5. fangs – large pointed teeth of a tiger
6. terrorizing – creating fear among people or animals
7. concrete cell – artificial enclosure made of concrete, referring to the zoo
8. patrolling – moving around to maintain security
9. brilliant – bright and intense in appearance
Poetic Devices/Figures of Speech in A TIGER IN THE ZOO
- Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the tiger’s stripes, fangs, claws, and environment.
- Metaphor: “Pads of velvet quiet” compares his silent paws to soft velvet.
- Alliteration: “Stalking the length of his cage”; “His strength behind bars.”
- Contrast: Between the tiger’s natural life in the jungle and his artificial life in the zoo.
- Symbolism: The tiger represents wild animals, and his cage represents human control and destruction of freedom.
- Personification: The tiger is given emotions like rage, frustration, and dignity.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows a simple rhyme scheme—ABCB—which keeps the flow natural and musical.
Questions and Answers of A Tiger in the Zoo – Class 10 English First Flight
Q1. Find the words that describe the movements and actions of the tiger in the cage and in the wild.
Answer:
In Leslie Norris’s poem A Tiger in the Zoo, the movements and actions of the tiger are shown in two very different ways:
| Tiger in the Cage | Tiger in the Wild |
|---|---|
| stalks in his vivid stripes | lurking in shadow |
| few steps of his cage | sliding through long grass |
| quiet rage | snarling around houses |
| stalking the length of his cage | terrorising the village |
| ignoring visitors | baring his white fangs and claws |
This contrast clearly shows the difference between a caged tiger’s helpless life and a wild tiger’s powerful and free life.
Q2. Find the words that describe the two places – the cage and the wild.
Answer:
| The Cage | The Wild |
|---|---|
| few steps of his cage | long grass |
| concrete cell | jungle’s edge |
| behind bars | water hole |
| patrolling cars | houses/villages near jungle |
The poet uses these words to highlight the artificial, limited world of the cage versus the natural, free environment of the jungle.
Q3. How does the poet use words and images to contrast the two situations?
Answer:
The poet uses powerful images to create a sharp contrast. The cage is described with words like concrete cell, behind bars, patrolling cars, which suggest restriction and sadness. In contrast, the jungle is described with long grass, water hole, jungle’s edge, which show freedom, strength, and natural hunting.
Through this contrast, the poet shows the injustice of captivity and the glory of freedom.
Q4. What is the effect of repetition in these lines?
(i) On pads of velvet quiet, / In his quiet rage
(ii) And stares with his brilliant eyes / At the brilliant stars
Answer:
Repetition makes the poet’s ideas stronger and more memorable.
- In the first example, quiet shows the tiger’s silent movements but also his anger that cannot be expressed.
- In the second example, brilliant connects the bright, powerful eyes of the tiger with the beauty of the stars, showing his dignity even in captivity.
This repetition adds rhythm and deeper meaning to the poem.
Q5. Are zoos necessary for the protection of animals? Are they useful for education? Are there better alternatives to zoos?
Answer:
Zoos are sometimes said to help in protecting endangered animals and in educating the public. But keeping animals in cages takes away their freedom and natural instincts.
Better alternatives are:
- Wildlife sanctuaries
- National parks
- Nature reserve
Extra Questions Answers of A Tiger in the Zoo
1. How does the poem contrast freedom and captivity?
The poem shifts between two settings—one where the tiger roams freely in the jungle, and another where it is confined within the zoo. In the wild, it moves stealthily, hunts prey, and dominates its surroundings, symbolizing power and autonomy. In captivity, it paces aimlessly, its frustration expressed through silent rage, highlighting the unnaturalness of confinement.
2. What emotions does the poet evoke through the imagery of the tiger’s captivity?
The poet conveys a sense of sadness, helplessness, and suppressed anger. The phrases quiet rage and strength behind bars show the tiger's frustration and loss of purpose. The poem evokes empathy by portraying how confinement affects the tiger physically and emotionally.
3. How does the poem highlight human interference with nature?
The poem critiques how humans disrupt the natural order by enclosing wild animals for their entertainment. The tiger, meant to roam freely, is reduced to a mere attraction, deprived of its instincts and strength. It raises questions about the ethics of captivity versus conservation.
4. What message does the poem convey about the treatment of wild animals?
The poem suggests that keeping animals in enclosures strips them of their dignity and natural instincts. The tiger’s pacing and detached behavior show that confinement causes distress, making readers question the necessity of zoos and other restrictive environments for animals.
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Critical Thinking Questions A Tiger in the Zoo
5. If captivity ensures the tiger’s safety from hunters and environmental threats, does it justify keeping it in a zoo? Why or why not?
Zoos provide safety but also limit the tiger’s instincts and natural behavior. Some argue that wildlife reserves or sanctuaries offer better alternatives where animals receive protection in near-natural environments. Others believe zoos serve educational purposes but must be designed to respect animal well-being.
6. How does the poem reflect on the ethics of human dominance over nature?
The poem implies that humans impose control over nature without fully considering its consequences. By restricting the tiger’s movement, people deprive it of its identity as a predator. The poem urges readers to reflect on how human intervention affects wildlife.
7. How would the poem’s message change if the tiger actively interacted with visitors instead of ignoring them?
If the tiger engaged with visitors, it would suggest adaptation rather than frustration. The theme of silent suffering would weaken, implying that captivity is less damaging. However, the tiger’s disinterest reinforces the idea that confinement suppresses its instincts and natural behaviors.
8. Can the poem be interpreted as a metaphor for human oppression?
Yes, the tiger’s captivity mirrors situations where individuals or groups are restricted by societal constraints. Just as the tiger paces in confinement, people under oppressive systems experience suppressed emotions and lack of freedom. The poem’s theme extends beyond wildlife to broader discussions on control and autonomy.
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