A Tiger in The Zoo, Class 10,
English First Flight Poem
The poem A Tiger in the Zoo, along with its explanation, is provided below. You can read through to better understand the poem.
Introduction:-
The poem provides a sharp contrast about the tiger The poem provides a contrast about the mood and environment of the tiger when he is in the zoo and when he is in the forest, when he is in his natural habitat and when he is in captivity.
Explanation:-
He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.
Explanation- A zoo tiger walks in a confined space reserved for him in a cage. It takes a few steps. It has stripes on its body that are quite visible. His feet are soft like velvet. It makes no noise walking on its velvet cushion. The tiger is silent but angry.
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.
Explanation- The poet believes that a cage is not a suitable place for a tiger. This is not their natural habitat. Tigers usually sit under the tall grass by the stream. When they see prey like deer approaching, they crawl into the grass to kill it. What the poet wants to express is that the tiger must be in the forest, in its natural habitat.
He should be snarling around houses
At the jungle's edge,
Baring his white fangs, his claws,
Terrorising the village!
Explanation- The poet then makes another suggestion that the tiger sits on the edge of the jungle in close proximity to the town. He is supposed to terrify people who pass by with his sharp teeth, baring his claws and making a low sound of anger.
But he's locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors.
Expalantion- The poet now expresses deep sympathy for the fate (unpleasant situation) of the tiger imprisoned in the concrete cage. He cannot get out of the cell because the strong bars are fixed. So the poet says that the power of the tiger is locked behind the tracks. He shows no interest in looking at strangers. Rather, he (angrily) continues to chase the cage in the confined space.
He hears the last voice at night,
The patrolling cars,
And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.
Expalantion- The poet again leads the readers to the cage where the tiger is sitting in the cage feeling uncomfortable and worried. He hears the cars of zoo officials on patrol. He shows no interest in them. He looks at the twinkling stars with his twinkling eyes. The poet raises a moral question here. He plans to prosecute the atrocity vigorously.
Summary:-
This poem contrasts a tiger in a zoo with a tiger in its natural habitat. The poem moves from the zoo to the jungle and back to the zoo. It has no freedom in the zoo. It is kept behind bars in a cell in a cement building. He feels angry, frustrated and helpless. It reminds him of his natural habitat, crawling and slithering in the tall grass near the waterhole and pushing the fat deer as he frightens the villagers by showing his sharp teeth and claws. At the zoo, he hears the sounds of patrol cars during the night. A tiger in a zoo seems helpless as a mere display object and a source of entertainment for humans. The poet wants to express that it is cruel to keep wild animals in small enclosures in a zoo, far from their natural habitat. They feel angry, helpless and unhappy in the cage. He does not pay attention to the visitors who come to see him. In the stillness of the night, he gazes at the twinkling stars with his twinkling eyes.
We hope students found the Class 10 English First Flight Amanda Summary and Explanation ! Useful in their studies.
0 Comments