"A Tiger in the Zoo" by Leslie Norris is a poem that describes the plight of a magnificent tiger who is trapped in a cage in a zoo. The poem begins by portraying the tiger as he paces back and forth in his cage, his vivid stripes contrasting sharply against the concrete walls. Even though the tiger's ....................
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A Tiger in the Zoo - First Flight - Class 10 - CBSE English
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Back Questions - A Tiger in the Zoo | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English
Read the poem again, and work in pairs or groups to do the following tasks.
Find the words that describe the movements and actions of the tiger in the cage and in the wild. Arrange them in two columns.
(i) Movements and Actions of the Tiger
In the Cage:
Stalks, Pads of velvet, quiet, Quiet rage, Stalking the length of his cage, Ignoring visitors, Stares
In the Wild:
Lurking in shadow, Sliding through long grass, Snarling around houses, Baring his white fangs, Baring his claws, Terrorising the village
(ii) Description of the Places
Cage:
Concrete cell, Strength behind bars, Visitors
Wild:
Shadow, Long grass, Water hole, Jungle's edge, Village
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Find the words that describe the two places, and arrange them in two columns.
Now try to share ideas about how the poet uses words and images to contrast the two situations.
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Notice the use of a word repeated in lines such as these:
(i) On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.
(ii) And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.
What do you think is the effect of this repetition?
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Read the following two poems — one about a tiger and the other about a panther. Then discuss:
Are zoos necessary for the protection or conservation of some species of animals? Are they useful for educating the public? Are there alternatives to zoos?
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Take a point of view for or against zoos, or even consider both points of view and write a couple of paragraphs or speak about this topic for a couple of minutes in class.
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Extra Questions - A Tiger in the Zoo | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English
He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage
a. Name the poem and the poet.
b. Why could the tiger walk only a few steps?
c. How does the tiger move in the cage?
d. What do you mean by ‘vivid’?
e. Why is he in quiet rage?
f. Give synonyms to ‘rage’.
g. Why is the tiger angry?
h. Explain ‘On pads of velvet quiet’.
a. The poem is "A Tiger in the Zoo" by Leslie Norris.
b. The tiger can walk only a few steps because it is confined to a small cage that limits its movement.
c. The tiger moves in the cage on "pads of velvet quiet," which suggests that it walks softly and almost noiselessly despite its frustration and anger.
d. 'Vivid' means bright, clear, or intensely coloured. In this context, it refers to the striking appearance of the tiger's stripes.
e. The tiger is in a "quiet rage" because it is confined to a small cage, which suppresses its natural instincts and power. Its anger is not expressed through loud or violent actions but rather through a subdued, restrained intensity. The tiger is filled up with pent-up energy and anger as he is not free to live in the wild but is restricted to his cage. He is quiet as he is helpless.
f. Synonyms for 'rage' include fury, anger, wrath, and ire.
g. The tiger is angry because it is confined to a small cage, preventing it from living the life it would naturally have in the wild. This confinement goes against the tiger's instincts and limits its freedom and movements.
h. "On pads of velvet quiet" is a poetic way of describing the soft, gentle, and almost noiseless movement of the tiger within the cage. The phrase highlights the contrast between the tiger's restrained physical presence in captivity and the power and freedom it would have in the wild. They are padded and cushioned underneath for stealthy movement.
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He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.
a. Where should the tiger be lurking?
b. What should he wait for near the water hole?
c. Where is the tiger now?
d. What does ‘plump deer’ suggest?
e. Give an antonym of ‘plump’
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Back Exercises - A Tiger in the Zoo | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English
The Tiger
The tiger behind the bars of his cage growls,
The tiger behind the bars of his cage snarls,
The tiger behind the bars of his cage roars.
Then he thinks.
It would be nice not to be behind bars all
The time
Because they spoil my view
I wish I were wild, not on show.
But if I were wild, hunters might shoot me,
But if I were wild, food might poison me,
But if I were wild, water might drown me.
Then he stops thinking
And...
The tiger behind the bars of his cage growls,
The tiger behind the bars of his cage snarls,
The tiger behind the bars of his cage roars.
PETER NIBLETT
The Panther
His vision, from the constantly passing bars,
has grown so weary that it cannot hold
anything else. It seems to him there are
a thousand bars; and behind the bars, no world.
As he paces in cramped circles, over and over,
the movement of his powerful soft strides
is like a ritual dance around a centre
in which a mighty will stands paralysed.
Only at times, the curtain of the pupils
lifts, quietly. An image enters in,
rushes down through the tensed, arrested muscles,
plunges into the heart and is gone.
RAINER MARIA RILKE
Take a point of view for or against zoos, or even consider both points of view and write a couple of paragraphs or speak about this topic for a couple of minutes in class.
Zoos have both advantages and disadvantages. From one point of view, they provide a safe environment for animals to live in, ensuring that they are protected from predators, diseases, and other dangers. They also provide the opportunity for visitors to see exotic and rare animals up close, which can be educational and inspiring, particularly for children.
However, there is a strong counterargument that zoos keep animals in an unnatural environment, depriving them of their freedom to move and interact within their natural habitats. Animals in zoos often suffer from boredom, depression, and a lack of physical activity, leading to health problems such as obesity and psychological issues.
Furthermore, it is not uncommon for zoos to mistreat animals by keeping them in insufficient facilities, overbreeding them, or not providing them with proper care. Even for well-run and ethical zoos, it can be challenging to meet the needs of animals, particularly those that require a specific type of environment or social interaction.
It is important to consider both points of view and weigh the overall benefits and drawbacks of zoos. While zoos can provide a unique educational experience for visitors and help to protect endangered species, it is also essential to ensure that animals are treated with respect and provided with the care and environment they need to thrive.
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Quiz - A Tiger in the Zoo | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English
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Vocabulary - Flashcards - A Tiger in the Zoo | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English
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About the Author - A Tiger in the Zoo | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English
Leslie Norris (1921-2006) was a Welsh author and poet known for his short stories and poetry works. Born in Merthyr Tydfil , Wales, Norris studied at the University of Wales and later became a professor of English literature at Brigham Young University in the United States. He published numerous short stories and poetry collections, often exploring themes of nature, rural life, and the human condition . His work has been widely anthologized and recognized with various literary awards throughout his career.
Summary - A Tiger in the Zoo | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English
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Themes - A Tiger in the Zoo | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English
The themes present in the poem "A Tiger in the Zoo" by Leslie Norris are as follows:
Captivity and Freedom: The poem portrays the contrast between the natural habitat of a tiger in the wild and the confined space of a zoo. The tiger's natural instincts and desires are curbed by the boundaries of his cage. The poem highlights the tiger's yearning for freedom and the injustice of being held captive.
Power and Strength: The poem describes...
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Symbols - A Tiger in the Zoo | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English
There are a few symbols used in the poem "A Tiger in the Zoo" by Leslie Norris:
🐯 Tiger
The tiger is the central symbol of the poem, representing power, strength, and ferocity. However, in the poem's context, the tiger is a captive animal confined to a small space, unable to exercise its natural instincts. The tiger also symbolises beauty and grace as it moves on its "pads of velvet quiet," and its "brilliant eyes" stare at the stars
Cage
The cage symbolises ...
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Vocabulary - A Tiger in the Zoo | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English
- Vivid - Bright and intense in colour.
- Stalks - Walks in a stiff, haughty or proud way.
- Pads - Soft, cushion-like parts of an animal's foot.
- Velvet -
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Rhyme Scheme - A Tiger in the Zoo | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English
The Rhyme scheme of the poem "A Tiger in the Zoo" by Leslie Norris is AABB. This means ...
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Poetic Devices - A Tiger in the Zoo | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English
The poem "A Tiger in the Zoo" by Leslie Norris employs several poetic devices to enhance its meaning and appeal to the reader. Some of the poetic devices used in the poem are:
- Alliteration : The Repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words in a sentence or line. For example, "behind bars"
- Assonance : The Repetition of vowel sounds in words. For example, "Stalks in his vivid stripes" and "Near the water hole."
- Imagery
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