English Class 10 - X CBSE Poem 3 Tiger in the Zoo Material

 INTRODUCTION

The poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” is written by Leslie Norris. It explains the agony and helplessness of a caged tiger that lives in a zoo. The poet explains what his life could be if he had been a free animal. The poet has tried to explain about the condition of animals that are caged by human beings for their own fun. 

LITERARY DEVICES

1. Personification – the tiger is personified, e.g. ‘he stalks’
2. Enjambment – line continues to next line without any punctuation mark, e.g. sliding through long grass………..deer pass
3. Oxymoron – use of adjectives opposite in meaning (quiet rage)
4. Alliteration – use of sound ‘p’ in ‘plump pass’
5. Imagery – the poet has tried to create an image of tiger’s activities (lurking in shadow)
6. Onomatopoeia – use of sound words, e.g. snarling. 

SUMMARY

This poem contrasts a tiger in the zoo with the tiger in its natural habitat. The poem moves from the zoo to the jungle, and back again to the zoo. The poem provides a contrast in the mood and environment of a tiger when he is in the zoo and a tiger when he is in the forest. In the zoo, he has no freedom. He is kept in a cemented cell behind the bars. He feels angry, frustrated and helpless. This reminds him of his natural habitat, his hiding and sliding in the long grass near the water hole and pouncing upon the fat deer, the way he terrorised the villagers, displaying his sharp teeth and claws. At night in the zoo, he hears the sounds of patrolling cars. The tiger in the zoo appears helpless as to be a mere show-piece and source of entertainment to people. The poet wants to convey that it is cruel to keep wild animals in small enclosures of the zoo, away from their natural habitat. They feel angry, helpless and unhappy in the cage. He pays no attention to the visitors who came to watch him. In the silence of the night, he stares at the brilliant stars with his bright eyes.

MESSAGE
    
In the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”, the poet is conveying an important message that wild animals should be in their natural habitat. 
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