Question

Read the following extracts and solve the following.

When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by. The tigers in the panel that she made Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid

I. What does the phrase ‘terrified hands’ suggest about Aunt’s life?     (1)

II. Complete the following suitably.     (1)

The tigers’ proud and playful movements reflect ______.

III. Examine briefly how the tigers in the panel contrast with Aunt’s life experiences.     (1)

IV. Fill in the blank with the correct option from those given in the brackets.     (1)
The phrase ‘still ringed’ refers to both the literal ______ (shape of the embroidery panel/wedding band on her finger) and the figurative ‘ring’ of constraints and ordeals imposed by her marriage.

V. If a student were to interpret the word ‘prancing’ in a real-world context, which of the following would it best represent?     (1)

1. An employee working under the pressure of deadlines.
2. A soldier standing firm and ready for battle at the frontier.
3. A child playing freely in a park, unburdened by responsibilities.
4. A bird trapped in a cage, longing to be free and fly high.

VI. What does the poet imply about the art in the line ‘The tigers in the panel that she made will go on prancing’?     (1)

1. Art is a timeless expression that outlives its creator, continuing to embody their spirit and desires.
2. The tigers symbolise Aunt Jennifer’s fleeting empowerment, which will fade over time.
3. The panel is a temporary escape for Aunt Jennifer, offering solace only during her lifetime.
4. The permanence of the tigers in the panel contrasts with the transient nature of Aunt Jennifer’s struggles.

Answer 1

I. The phrase suggests that Aunt’s life has been filled with struggles shaped by fear, anxiety, and oppression/The phrase signifies her emotional and psychological state, shaped by years of fear and oppression.

II. The tigers’ proud and playful movements reflect the enduring power of Aunt Jennifer’s creative spirit, even after her death.

III. The tigers in the panel are bold, fearless, and free, symbolising strength, courage, and confidence. In contrast, Aunt’s life is marked by fear, struggle, and oppression, which prevents her from living with the same power and freedom that her tigers represent.

IV. The phrase ‘still ringed’ refers to both the literal wedding band on her finger and the figurative ‘ring’ of constraints and ordeals imposed by her marriage.

V. A child playing freely in a park, unburdened by responsibilities.

VI. Art is a timeless expression that outlives its creator, continuing to embody their spirit and desires.