a. The expression ‘Aunt Jennifer’s tigers’ implies that the tigers are a creation of Aunt Jennifer, specifically as a part of her needlework. The tigers represent her imagination and artistic expression.

b. The prancing tigers symbolize freedom, power, and confidence. They represent Aunt Jennifer’s desire for an existence free from constraints or limitations, and a life that she, unfortunately, does not have.

c. The tigers are referred to as ‘denizens of a world of green’ because they inhabit a vibrant and lively world which is full of life, colour, and vitality. The green world contrasts with Aunt Jennifer’s own life, which seems to be limited and constrained.

d. The qualities of the ‘tigers’ highlighted here are bravery, confidence, vibrancy, and fearlessness. They do not fear the men beneath the tree, showing their strength and independence. Also, their bright topaz color signifies their presence, attracting attention, and signifying life.

e. The line “They pace in sleek chivalric certainty” means that the tigers walk gracefully and confidently, exhibiting a sense of honour and nobility. The phrase “sleek chivalric certainty” highlights the tigers’ self-assurance and elegance in their movements. This implies that they are fully aware of their own power and freedom, contrasting with Aunt Jennifer’s lack of control and agency in her own life. The tigers represent an ideal that Aunt Jennifer aspires to, embodying qualities that she wishes she could possess or demonstrate.

The words “denizens” and “chivalric” add depth to our understanding of the tigers’ attitudes by highlighting their noble and dignified traits.

• The term “denizens” is used to describe the tigers as inhabitants of an exclusive and majestic realm, separate from ordinary concerns. It conveys a sense of unity and belonging, emphasizing their free and dignified nature. In the poem, Aunt Jennifer created the tigers as they “prance across a screen” signifying that their movement is energetic, proud, and elegant.
• On the other hand, the word “chivalric” directly associates the tigers with the values of chivalry, such as honor, courage, and loyalty. This term dates back to medieval knights who were guided by a code of conduct that emphasized gallantry, courtesy, and virtue. The tigers embody these noble qualities, making them perfect representations of a fearless and self-assured attitude that contrasts with Aunt Jennifer’s reality, where she experiences oppression and fear.

Thus, the words “denizens” and “chivalric” in the poem contribute to portraying the tigers as creatures possessing strength, nobility, and a kind of regality that Aunt Jennifer may not experience herself, but instead admires and aspires to through her artwork.