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NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 13: Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers PDF – Summary, Analysis and Download Link

The last poem in the NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo textbook is Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, written by Adrienne Rich. It’s a short but powerful poem that talks about a woman’s silent struggles in a male-dominated society. Through her embroidery work, Aunt Jennifer creates tigers that are bold and fearless—completely opposite of how she feels in

NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 13: Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

The last poem in the NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo textbook is Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, written by Adrienne Rich. It’s a short but powerful poem that talks about a woman’s silent struggles in a male-dominated society. Through her embroidery work, Aunt Jennifer creates tigers that are bold and fearless—completely opposite of how she feels in her real life. This contrast between imagination and reality is what makes the poem so impactful. Even though the poem is just a few lines, it carries deep meaning related to gender roles, freedom and emotional expression.

I chose to write about this chapter because it often gets overlooked due to its small size. Many students think it’s not that important, but that’s where they go wrong. In board exams, short poems like these are easy scoring areas, and the symbolism used here is a favourite for examiners. Also, it’s a great example of how literature can reflect personal pain without directly talking about it. The poem also brings up important questions about women’s rights and emotional suppression, which are still relevant in many Indian households today. That’s why understanding this poem properly can not only help in exams but also open your eyes to real-life issues around us.

Summary of Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers by Adrienne Rich

In the poem, Aunt Jennifer is an old woman who is doing embroidery, stitching images of tigers. These tigers are strong, confident and free, unlike Aunt Jennifer who feels trapped and burdened in her own life. The poet shows how the tigers she creates represent the kind of life she wishes she had—one where she could move freely and fearlessly.

The poem is divided into three stanzas. The first stanza describes the tigers—how they are majestic and proud. The second stanza talks about Aunt Jennifer herself, how her fingers are shaking and how she is weighed down by the “massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band”. The last stanza shows that even after her death, the embroidery she created will remain, and the tigers will keep running proudly. This shows that art lasts beyond the life of the artist, and also that her imagination gave her an escape from her unhappy reality.

Important Themes in the Poem

  • Freedom vs Oppression: The tigers are free, but Aunt Jennifer is emotionally caged.
  • Gender Roles: The poem shows the burden many women carry within marriage.
  • Art as Escape: Aunt Jennifer expresses her emotions through her creative work.
  • Inner Strength: While she appears weak, her art speaks volumes about her hidden courage.

Symbolism in the Poem

SymbolMeaning
TigersSymbol of strength, freedom, and confidence
EmbroideryAunt’s inner world and her unspoken desires
Uncle’s Wedding BandSymbol of male control and marital pressure
Shaking FingersSign of fear, old age and lifelong mental burden

Literary Devices in the Poem

  • Alliteration – “prancing proud”, “fingers fluttering” adds rhythm to the poem
  • Imagery – Vivid description of the tigers helps the reader visualise the contrast
  • Symbolism – Every element in the poem stands for something deeper
  • Contrast – Between Aunt Jennifer’s reality and the world she creates

Download PDF – Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Class 12 NCERT

To download the official NCERT version of this chapter, use the link below. This PDF is perfect for revision, printing, or reading on phone before exams.

NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 13: Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

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NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6: Memories of Childhood PDF Download & Complete Summary

Memories of Childhood is Chapter 6 in the Class 12 English Vistas textbook by NCERT. What makes this chapter special is that it’s not a single story—it’s made up of two autobiographical excerpts written by two women, Zitkala-Sa and Bama. Both narrate incidents from their early lives that reflect the discrimination they faced because of

NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6: Memories of Childhood

Memories of Childhood is Chapter 6 in the Class 12 English Vistas textbook by NCERT. What makes this chapter special is that it’s not a single story—it’s made up of two autobiographical excerpts written by two women, Zitkala-Sa and Bama. Both narrate incidents from their early lives that reflect the discrimination they faced because of their identity. While Zitkala-Sa was a Native American who suffered cultural oppression, Bama grew up as a Dalit in South India, dealing with caste-based discrimination. These two stories are placed together in the chapter to show that such issues exist in many parts of the world.

I decided to write about this chapter because it’s different from the others in the book. It’s not fiction, but a real account of how young children feel when they are treated unfairly just because of their background. When I first read Bama’s story, I couldn’t stop thinking about how common such behaviour still is in many Indian towns. These stories make us more aware and sensitive. As students, we need to understand not just grammar and vocabulary but also social realities. This chapter is an important step towards building that understanding.

What is “Memories of Childhood” About?

This chapter includes two short autobiographical narratives that focus on childhood memories shaped by discrimination and injustice.

Part One: The Cutting of My Long Hair by Zitkala-Sa

This section is written by a Native American woman who was taken to a missionary school where they tried to make her behave like a “white” child. She describes how humiliating it was when her long hair was forcibly cut, which in her culture was a sign of defeat. She feels powerless, angry, and alien in a place that tries to erase her identity.

Part Two: We Too Are Human Beings by Bama

Bama’s story takes place in a village in Tamil Nadu. She is a young Dalit girl who notices how upper-caste people treat her community with disrespect. She sees a man carrying food for his master without touching it, just because of his caste. When she narrates this incident to her brother, he tells her about caste discrimination and advises her to study hard to earn respect and equality.

Main Characters:

  • Zitkala-Sa – A Native American girl forced to give up her culture at a white-run school
  • Bama – A young Dalit girl who slowly becomes aware of social injustice

Key Themes:

  • Discrimination based on race and caste
  • Childhood trauma and awareness
  • Loss of identity
  • Education as a tool for change

Why This Chapter Matters for Students

  • Real stories: It helps students connect emotionally to real-life problems faced by children
  • Relevant to society: Topics like caste and cultural identity are still important in today’s India
  • CBSE exam favourite: Frequently asked in long and value-based questions
  • Builds empathy: Helps students look beyond textbooks and understand people around them better
  • Teaches resilience: Both writers turned their pain into power through education and awareness

Download PDF

You can download the official NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6 PDF from here:

NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6: Memories of Childhood

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