Tiger in the Zoo Poem Analysis

Poem Analysis: The Tiger and The Panther

Symbolism and Imagery

• The repetition of the tiger's actions in the poem emphasizes the monotony and confinement of its life in the zoo.
• The bars symbolize the tiger's captivity and restriction of its natural freedom.
• The passing of bars in 'The Panther' poem represents the panther's confinement and lack of freedom.

Tiger's Emotions and Situation

• The tiger feels trapped and unhappy about being behind bars, as it is meant to roam freely in its natural habitat.
• The panther's movement around a centre reflects its confined and restricted situation, highlighting its inability to move freely.
• The image that enters the panther's gaze suggests a sense of detachment and longing for freedom, according to Rainer Maria Rilke.

Contrast and Freedom

• The main contrast in 'A Tiger in the Zoo' is between the tiger's natural habitat and its current confinement in the zoo.
• The tiger ideally belongs in its natural habitat, where it can roam freely and exercise its natural instincts.
• The poet implies that the tiger is unhappy and restricted in its current state, using words like 'concrete cell' and 'behind bars' to emphasize its confinement.

Poetic Devices and Techniques

• The phrase 'his strength behind bars' indicates that the tiger's natural strength and power are being wasted in confinement.
• The poet uses imagery to portray the tiger's longing for freedom, contrasting its movements in the cage with those in the wild.
• The contrast between the tiger's movements in the cage and in the wild creates a sense of sadness and longing for freedom, highlighting the importance of preserving natural habitats.

Test your understanding of the poem 'Tiger in the Zoo' by identifying which stanzas describe the tiger in the zoo and which ones describe the tiger in its natural habitat. Explore the contrasts presented in the poem.