Tiger in the Zoo - 1

 Today we shall discuss a poem titled A Tiger in the Zoo.  This poem is composed by Leslie Norris.

The poet has described two pictures of the tiger -

1. When he is kept in a cage in the zoo.

2. When he is in natural habitat of forest. 

Let's discuss the poem stanza wise- 

Stanza 1. 

The tiger is in the cage.

He stalks in his vivid striped.    - a

The few steps of his cage,          - b

On pads of velvet quiet,              - c

In his quiet rage.                           -b

Rhyme scheme -  abcb

Poetic devices used - 

1. Pads of velvet quiet - Metaphor is used here. (Paws of the tiger are compared to velvet fabric due to its softness ). 

2. Quiet rage - oxymoron  is used here. 

       Quiet means peaceful & rage means  anger. Thus Opposite qualities are shown here.

3. Vivid striped - imagery (it creates a picture) . 

4.

Stanza 2-  

The tiger is in the forest.

He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.

Poetic devices used - 

. Consonance - Should,  shadow, sliding,  grass, pass show use of consonant sound  's'.

. Alliteration  - in should be lurking in shadow & plump deer pass.

. Enjambment - in line 2 & 3.

. imagery  - in lurking in shadow & plump deer .

Stanza -3     

The tiger is in the forest.

He should be snarling around houses
At the jungle’s edge,
Baring his white fangs, his claws,
Terrorising the village!

Poetic devices used  - 

. Alliteration  - line 1. Should be snarling 

. imagery  - line 3 . baring his white fangs.

. consonance  in line 3. Repetition of sound 's'.

. Rhyme scheme - ABC B

. imagery  - terrorizing the village. 

Stanza.  4

The tiger is in the cage.

But he’s locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors.

. symbols - concrete cell is symbol of captivity (गुलामी) & strength is symbol of  freedom or power. 'Bars' is symbol of cage.

. imagery  - locked in a concrete cell &  ignoring visitors. 

Stanza 5.

The tiger is in the forest.

He hears the last voice at night,
The patrolling cars,
And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.

. repetition of word 'brilliant ' shows his desire for freedom. 

. imagery  - patrolling card & brilliant stars.

. Alliteration  - stares & stars.

. Rhyme scheme - abcb.

Summary of the poem - 

The poet describes a Tiger in the forest & in a cage. He feels very sad inside the cage.  He loves his freedom and wants to come out of the cage. 

The tiger is silent and does not show any interest in his surroundings.  He walks a few steps of the cage.  He will have been happier in his natural habitat.  He will be enjoying himself there. 

In the cage,  the tiger has lost his interest in life. 

He loves forest which is his natural home.  He feels sad and angry in the cage.  At night,  he looks at the stars which remind him of his freedom and happiness.