A Tiger in the Zoo Summary
A Tiger in the Zoo Summary
Explanation of “A Tiger in the Zoo” by Leslie Norris
First Paragraph
“He stalks in his viv id stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.”
In this opening stanza, the poet describes the tiger’s physical appearance and behavior within the confines of the zoo. The tiger, with its striking stripes, paces back and forth in its small cage. The phrase “pads of velvet quiet” emphasizes the silent, graceful movement of the tiger, while “quiet rage” suggests the suppressed anger and frustration the tiger feels due to its captivity.
Second Paragraph
“He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.”
Here, the poet contrasts the tiger’s current situation with its natural habitat. The tiger is meant to be in the wild, hiding in the shadows and moving stealthily through the tall grass near a water source, where it can hunt deer. This imagery highlights the tiger’s natural instincts and the freedom it is deprived of in the zoo.
Third Paragraph
“He should be snarling around houses
At the jungle’s edge,
Baring his white fangs, his claws,
Terrorising the village!”
In this stanza, the poet continues to describe the tiger’s natural behavior, emphasizing its role as a powerful and fearsome predator. The tiger should be roaming near human settlements at the edge of the jungle, displaying its fangs and claws, and instilling fear in the villagers. This further underscores the contrast between the tiger’s wild nature and its current state of captivity.
Fourth Paragraph
“But he’s locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors.”
The poet returns to the tiger’s present condition in the zoo. The tiger is confined to a “concrete cell”, with its immense strength rendered useless behind bars. It continues to pace the length of its cage, indifferent to the people who come to see it. This stanza highlights the tiger’s sense of entrapment and the futility of its existence in captivity.
Fifth Paragraph
“He hears the last voice at night,
The patrolling cars,
And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.”
In the final stanza, the poet describes the tiger’s experience at night. The tiger listens to the last sounds of the day, including the voices of people and the noise of patrolling cars. It then gazes at the stars with its “brilliant eyes”, suggesting a longing for freedom and a connection to the natural world. The repetition of “brilliant” emphasizes the tiger’s undiminished spirit despite its confinement.
Overall, the poem poignantly contrasts the tiger’s natural life in the wild with its restricted existence in the zoo, highlighting the loss of freedom and the inherent cruelty of captivity.
Central Idea of the Poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” by Leslie Norris
The central idea of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” by Leslie Norris revolves around the stark contrast between the life of a tiger in captivity and its natural existence in the wild. The poem highlights the tiger’s suppressed anger and frustration as it paces within the confines of its cage, deprived of its natural habitat and freedom. Through vivid imagery and contrasting descriptions, the poet emphasizes the cruelty of keeping such a majestic creature in captivity, where its natural instincts and behaviors are stifled. The poem evokes a sense of empathy for the tiger and a longing for its liberation, underscoring the broader theme of the loss of freedom and the inherent injustice of captivity for wild animals.
Solution of A Tiger in the Zoo
1. Read the Poem Again, and Work in Pairs or Groups to Do the Following Tasks
(i) Find the Words That Describe the Movements and Actions of the Tiger in the Cage and in the Wild. Arrange Them in Two Columns.
In the Cage:
- Stalks
- Pads of velvet quiet
- Quiet rage
- Locked
- Behind bars
- Ignoring visitors
In the Wild:
- Lurking
- Sliding
- Snarling
- Baring fangs
- Terrorising
(ii) Find the Words That Describe the Two Places, and Arrange Them in Two Columns.
The Cage:
- Few steps
- Concrete cell
- Bars
- Length of his cage
The Wild:
- Shadow
- Long grass
- Water hole
- Jungle’s edge
- Village
Now Try to Share Ideas About How the Poet Uses Words and Images to Contrast the Two Situations.
The poet uses vivid imagery and contrasting words to highlight the difference between the tiger’s life in the wild and in captivity. In the wild, the tiger is depicted as a powerful and free creature, engaging in natural behaviors like lurking, sliding, and terrorizing. The words used to describe the wild, such as “shadow,” “long grass,” and “jungle’s edge,” evoke a sense of freedom and natural habitat. In contrast, the cage is described with words like “concrete cell,” “bars,” and “length of his cage,” which emphasize confinement and restriction. The tiger’s movements in the cage are limited and repetitive, reflecting its frustration and loss of freedom.
2. Notice the Use of a Word Repeated in Lines Such as These:
(i) On Pads of Velvet Quiet, In His Quiet Rage.
(ii) And Stares with His Brilliant Eyes At the Brilliant Stars.
What Do You Think Is the Effect of This Repetition?
The repetition of the words “quiet” and “brilliant” serves to emphasize the contrasting aspects of the tiger’s existence. “Quiet” highlights the suppressed anger and frustration of the tiger in captivity, while “brilliant” underscores the undiminished spirit and longing for freedom. The repetition creates a rhythmic and poetic effect, drawing attention to the tiger’s inner emotions and the stark contrast between its current state and its natural instincts.
3. Read the Following Two Poems — One About a Tiger and the Other About a Panther. Then Discuss:
Are Zoos Necessary for the Protection or Conservation of Some Species of Animals? Are They Useful for Educating the Public? Are There Alternatives to Zoos?
The Tiger by Peter Niblett:
The poem describes the tiger’s frustration and longing for freedom, but also acknowledges the potential dangers of living in the wild, such as hunters, poisoned food, and drowning.
The Panther by Rainer Maria Rilke:
The poem portrays the panther’s sense of entrapment and the psychological impact of captivity, with its vision limited by the bars and its powerful strides reduced to a ritual dance.
Discussion:
Zoos can play a role in the protection and conservation of endangered species by providing a controlled environment for breeding and research. They can also educate the public about wildlife and the importance of conservation. However, the psychological and physical well-being of animals in captivity is a significant concern. Alternatives to traditional zoos include wildlife sanctuaries and reserves, where animals can live in more natural and spacious environments, and virtual reality experiences that educate the public without confining animals.
4. Take a Point of View for or Against Zoos, or Even Consider Both Points of View and Write a Couple of Paragraphs or Speak About This Topic for a Couple of Minutes in Class.
For Zoos:
Zoos play a crucial role in the conservation of endangered species. They provide a safe environment for breeding programs, which can help increase the population of species that are at risk of extinction. Zoos also serve as educational centers, raising awareness about wildlife and the importance of conservation efforts. By allowing people to see animals up close, zoos can inspire a sense of wonder and a commitment to protecting the natural world.
Against Zoos:
While zoos aim to protect and conserve wildlife, the reality of life in captivity can be harsh for animals. Many animals suffer from physical and psychological stress due to confinement in small, unnatural enclosures. The lack of freedom to exhibit natural behaviors can lead to frustration and depression. Alternatives such as wildlife sanctuaries and reserves offer a more humane solution, providing animals with larger, more natural habitats while still allowing for conservation and educational efforts.
Balanced View:
Zoos have both positive and negative aspects. They contribute to conservation and education but also raise ethical concerns about animal welfare. A balanced approach is necessary to ensure that the benefits of zoos are maximized while minimizing the negative impact on the animals.