A Tiger in the Zoo - Extract Based Questions

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 A Tiger in the Zoo - Extract Based Questions

1. He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet.
In his quiet rage.

(a) Who is 'he' in this stanza?

'He' in this stanza refers to a tiger.

(b) Which two distinctive qualities of' he' are mentioned in the stanza?

'He' has sharp, clear stripes on Iris body and his paws are soft and padded.

(c) Where is 'he' now?

He is in a cage in a zoo.

(d) Why can 'he' walk only a few steps?

The cage is very small and cramped. It provides only a little space for the tiger to walk in. Therefore, he can take only a few steps.

(e) What is 'his' mood and why?

The tiger is in a very angry mood as he feels offended at having been trapped, enslaved and taken away from his natural habitat.

(f) Why is the tiger in a rage?

The tiger is in a rage at having been captured and put in a cage.

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

(a) Where does the poet think the tiger should have been? Where is 'he' actually?

The tiger should have been in a jungle. But he is in a cage in a zoo.

(b) What do 'water hole' and 'plump deer' suggest?

They suggest the forest where the tiger can get enough water and food.

(c) What do the words- lurking and sliding - suggest?

These words suggest the stealthy movements of the tiger.

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

(a) What, according to the poet, would the tiger do at the edges of the jungle?

He would go about roaring angrily around human habitations fearlessly.

(b) How would the tiger terrorise the villagers?

The tiger terrorise the villagers by  snarling, showing his sharp teeth and threatening claws.

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

(a) What does the word BUT in the first line signify?

The tiger is capable of frightening other animals and people. BUT here in the cage its strength is captivated.

(b) Why does the tiger stalk the length of the cage?

That was the only space he can walk about. So he stalks the length of the cage.

(c) What is the rhyme scheme of the above stanza?

The rhyme scheme of the above stanza is abcb.

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

(a) Why do you think the tigers tares at the stars?

He is longing to live with nature freely.

(b) Why does the poet use the word 'voice' instead of sound of the patrolling cars?

The tiger cannot hear the voices of other animals as he could do in a forest. The poet uses the word 'voice' ironically for the sound of cars.