Aunt Jennifer's Tiger

Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,
Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.
They do not fear the men beneath the tree;
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.
As we will come to know later in the poem, Aunt Jennifer is a very mild woman who lacks self-confidence and is terrified of most things in her life. She is seen designing a tapestry of tigers in a green forest. The tigers appear to prance around confidently, unafraid of the hunters hiding among the trees. They move around in elegance and certainty. ‘Chivalric’ symbolizes knightly bravery. Using astounding poetry, she describes the tigers as bright topaz denizens – ‘denizens’ meaning inhabitants. The world of green is their home – the forest. A beautiful contrast of colors is sprung. The tigers wander through the forests with a grace that everything around them belongs to them. This gives them a dignity that makes them unafraid of man.

Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.
Aunt Jennifer, as we will see in the last paragraph, is a woman, who is terrified of the marital ordeals in her life. Hence, the wedding band appears to be weighing her down. She appears to be bound to social and marital obligations and the wedding band appears more of a restraint than a symbol of love or joy or freedom. She seems to have lost her freedom of expression in her marriage, and therefore expresses herself through the only way she knows – her art of designing tapestries. Being the mild woman she is, she wishes to channelize her desire of becoming that bold woman who stands up for herself. This she does, by creating tigers who are entirely opposite in nature to herself. Whilst she is terrified of everything in life, the tigers are bold and strong and do not fear anything. Whilst she is meek and unable to express herself, the tigers are elegant and pace with assured certainty. Why, Aunt Jennifer seems frightened even in the making of these bold, elegant beasts! This is seen in the fact that her fingers tremble in pulling the light, weightless ivory needle.
With creativity, it can be seen that like a ringed-in animal at a circus with no freedom, Aunt Jennifer appeared to be ringed in (with her wedding band) with no freedom.


When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.
The tigers in the panel that she made
Will go prancing, proud and unafraid.
The poet has smartly used a synecdoche in which Aunt Jennifer’s hands represent her whole being.
The poet does not show if she sympathizes with Aunt Jennifer or not. This paragraph vaguely indicates that the poet may have expected better from Aunt Jennifer. She might have stood up for herself more and freed herself from all social, marital obligations and restraints. It might be too late; it might not – but when aunt is dead, she will still be imprisoned in her restraints. There will be no freedom for her, even in death. However the tigers that she has crafted will continue to prance around their home – the forest – bold, proud and unafraid.

A Thing of Beauty

thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Very simply put, yet poetic, Keats describes a thing of beauty as emanating joy forever. Its beauty only increases and it will never cease. The benefits proffered by a thing of beauty are listed as giving sound rest with good dreams and well-being.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits…
The earth minus the beautiful things is a despondent, spiteful place thriving in callous insensitive dearth and is harsh toward human beings. Every day human beings face gloomy days packed with unhealthy spite and darkness. However, in spite of all, a thing of beauty helps remove the dark cloud that burdens our souls. Hence, the poet says that we – human beings – each day create an ornate band, made of all the lovely things we see. This band keeps us bound to the despondent earth – as we would otherwise be hopeless.
… Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sparkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.
This closing paragraph simply tells us some of the beautiful things on Earth. After all, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder – Everyone can highlight something beautiful in anything. The examples cited by the poet are as such: the sun, the moon, trees, flowers, streams, musk-rose blooms, architectural sepulchers, even fairy tales or heroic legends. The ‘simple sheep’ are human beings – the poet sympathizes with the innocence of human beings. Keats sees the beauty in innocent humans seeking solace in nature, and Mother Nature in its own way sprouts a shady abode of relief and consolation. The expression ‘Lily of the valley’ is quite well known and rouses images of a delicate lone white flower holding up its head amidst a setting of thorns and barbs and everything contrary in nature to delicateness – so too are the daffodils mentioned in the poem.
The poet also sees beauty in the death of martyrs and legends. ‘The mighty dead’ are those martyrs who have died bravely for a cause. We honor them by erecting magnificent, grand sepulchers in which beauty is seen. If one looks around, there are innumerable beautiful things to notice – they seem to flow immortally as a fountain, from the gods above to help the pitiable human beings to cope with the harshness of life.

Important Questions for the Board Exams , March 2018

1. What are the flowery bands that bind us to this earth?
Ans: The flowery bands are the garlands of  flowers . The garlands represent things of beauty that bind us to our earthly duties. NO matter how miserable our state of being is, these things of beauty refresh our soul and sustain us in our days of adversity.

2. How is a joy of beauty a joy forever? 
Ans: According to the poet, a thing of beauty is an eternal source of pleasure that can give us heavenly joy for all time to come. A think of beauty sustains us to bear the bad phase of our life...

( Include  examples of things of beauty from the poem in the above answer)

3. Why is grandeur associated with the mighty dead? 
And: The grandeur is certainly of the death, destruction or ruin that is associated with the mighty dead. The poet talks about the sweet remembrance of the mighty persons who are dead. This sort of contemplation about them gives the same pleasure that we experience in contemplating beautiful things of nature.

4. Explain ' an endless fountain of immortal drink? 

Ans: 'All lovely tales' become an endless fountain of immortal drink by providing us moments of pleasure when we contemplate about them in moments of  tranquillity. The contemplation about lovely tales gives us immense pleasure which is heaven-like.

5. Give examples of things of beauty and things that cause suffering and pain. 

Ans: The sun, the moon, old and young sprouting trees, daffodils, clear rills sheep , the mid forest brake, fair musk-rose blooms etc are the examples of things of beauty.

Things that casue suffering and pain are  the inhuman dearth of noble natures, gloomy days, the unhealthy and over darkened ways etc.

Note: In addition to these questions, kindly read the stanza wise explanations given in the beginning of this poem...

Classified Advertisements

 Some Tips regarding Writing Advertisements

SITUATION VACANT · Specify the post and number of vacancies · Qualities of the person required · Name of the company (optional) · Age and sex of the candidate · Pay scale and perks · Mode of applying · Contact address and phone Number	LOST AND FOUND · Begin with LOST/FOUND · Description of the article · When and where the article was Lost/Found · Reward for finding it · Contact address and phone Number.
TO-LET · Type of accommodation, No. of rooms/floor · Whether it’s independent or an apartment · Rent expected · Type of tenant required-Bank employee/small family · Whom and when to contact · Contact address/phone numbe	KENNEL · Breed of dog · Age · Colour · Training · Price expected · Contact address and phone number
VEHICLES FOR SALE · Make : Maruti/Hyundai Santro etc. · Model/colour/accessories/year of manufacture/mileage · Condition · Ownership details · Price expected · Contact address/phone number	PACKERS AND MOVERS · Specify the services · Give reason why you should be given a chance · Area of work · Whom to contact · Contact address and phone number
PROPERTY FOR SALE Plot for sale · Location-where it is · Area : in sq. meters/yards · Name of the development authority · Price expected · Contact address/phone number	Travels and Tours · Name of the agency · Destinations and durations · Details of the package · Discounts if any · Contact address and phone number
TUTIONS Classes and subjects Special qualities of the tutor Qualifications and experience of the tutor Previous results of his/her students Contact address/phone number	HOUSE/FLAT FOR SALE Type of accommodation, No. of rooms/floor Whether it’s independent or an apartment Price expected/negotiable Location-where it is Area : in sq. meters/yards Name of the development authority Whom and when to contact Contact address/phone number

 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENT OR DISPLAY ADVERTISEMENTS

· They are designed for commercial purposes.

· Require more space, hence are costly. Must be attractive as they with visuals, catchy phrases and slogans.

 MAIN FEATURES:

· Must be attractive-with a catchy caption, heading or sub-headings.

· Figurative language. (alliteration and metaphors especially) Proportionate spacing of fonts with different sizes.

· Usually attractive with catchy slogans, punch lines, witty Expressions, pictures or sketches.

· Special offers or discount, if any.

· Details of the product or event given in a clear, precise way.

· Give name, contact number and address of the advertiser.

· Present the matter in a box.

 SAMPLE—1

1. You are Personal Assistant to G.M., ABC Metal Tools Company, Mumbai. Your General

Manager has asked you to draft a Classified advertisement for a local daily for the post of

                   two engineers. Draft the advertisement in not more than 50 words.

                                                   SITUATION VACANT

Required two well qualified Mechanical Engineers with a minimum experience of

five years. Remuneration commensurate with the performance and output of the

candidate. Send the Curriculum Vitae within seven days to the Personnel Manager,

ABC Metal Tools Company, 7, Vashist Complex , Malad East, Mumbai, along with

scanned copies of necessary certificates within a week@ abcmumbai@gmail.com

                    Ph-26090003,26093330

       

You are Anurag/Aparna of 110,Swasthya Vihar , New Delhi .You wish to let out a portion of your newly built house. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words for publication in the “To- Let” column of The Hindustan Times, giving all necessary details .

                                                 TO LET

Available 1500 sq.ft. ground floor of a newly built house in Swasthya Vihar with

two spacious bedrooms, attached bathrooms, drawing-cum-dining room, kitchen

and interiors. Rent expected-Rs. 7000/-. Interested persons may please contact—

Anurag Swasthya Vihar , New Delhi.Phone-27439543/anurag28@gmail.com

Note Making & Summary Writing

Tips to prepare Notes and Summary:

 Prepare notes using phrases only and never use complete sentences.

 The topic sentence of each paragraph is the main point and the ideas affiliated to

it are the sub-points – one or more depending on the concepts in the paragraph.

Sub points should be limited to five.

 Each sub-point may or may not have supplementary ideas which become subsub points.

 Proper indentation is essential.

 Provide an appropriate title for the notes and the summary.

 Include a minimum of 4 to 6 distinctly different, recognizable short forms of the

Longer Words (abbreviations) in the notes.

 Underline all short forms. Provide the key for the short forms at the end of the

notes titled ‘Key to Abbreviations’.

 Cover all the important points in the passage while preparing the notes.

 Identify and club similar ideas scattered in different paragraphs/areas of the

Passage before subtitling paragraph wise to make note short and precise.

Do proper indentation . You may use symbols & figures also for abbreviation.

 Include all the important points in the notes meaningfully to prepare the

summary in about 80

 Write the summary in complete sentences in a paragraph with a suitable title.

Split up of Marks

Note making (5) Summary (3)

Title: 1              Content: 3      Key to Abbreviations: 1

Content: 2 Expression: 1

Passage for Note Making (Solved)

 2. Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow: (8)

 1. The small village of Somnathpur contains an extraordinary temple, built around 1268 A.D. by the Hoyasalas of Karnataka – one of the most prolific temple-builders. Belur and Helebid are among their better-known works. While these suffered during the invasions of the 14th century, the Somnathpur temple stands more or less intact in near-original condition.

2.  This small temple captivates with the beauty and vitality of its detailed sculpture, covering almost every inch of the walls, pillars and even ceilings. It has three shikharas and stands on a star-shaped, raised platform with 24 edges. The outer walls have a profusion of detailed carvings: the entire surface run over by carved plaques of stone. There were vertical panels covered by exquisite figures of gods and goddesses with many incarnations being depicted. 

There were nymphs too, some carrying an ear of maize a symbol of plenty and prosperity. The elaborate ornamentation, very characteristic of Hoyasala sculptures, was a remarkable feature. On closer look- and it is worth it – the series of friezes on the outer walls revealed intricately carved caparisoned (covered decorative cloth) elephants, charging horsemen, stylized flowers, warriors, musicians, crocodiles, and swans.

 3. The temple was actually commissioned by Soma Dandanayaka or Somnath (he named the

village after himself), the minister of the Hoyasala king, Narasimha, the Third. The temple was built to house three versions of Krishna.

 4. The inner center of the temple was the kalyana mandapa. Leading from here were three

corridors each ending in a shrine, one for each kind of Krishna – Venugopala, Janardana and

Prasanna Keshava, though only two remain in their original form. In the darkness of the

sanctum sanctorum, I tried to discern the different images. The temple’s sculptural perfection is amazing and it includes the doors of the temple and the three elegantly carved towers.

 2.1. On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings

and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations, wherever necessary. Give the passage a suitable title.                                                                                                                                                  5

 Temple of Somnathpur

 1. Temple: the beauty and vitality

1.1. Detailed sculpture – covering walls, pillars, ceilings

1.1. a. Series of friezes on outer walls

1.1. b. intricately carved elephants

1.1. c. charging horsemen

1.1. d. stylized flowers

1.1. e. warriors, musicians, crocodile and swans

1.2. three shikharas – stands *shaped, raised platform – 24 edges

1.3. the outer walls – detailed carvings

1.4. the entire surface – carved plaques of stone

1.5. vertical panels covered by exq. fig.

 2. Representation of Hinduism

2.1. incarnations

2.2. many deities

3. Temple in the History

3.1. comsnd. Soma Dandanayaka or Somnath

3.2. the inner center of the temple – kalyana mandapa

3.3. three corridors ending in a shrine

 Key to Abbreviations

1. * star

2. exq exquisite

3. fig figures

4. comsnd. commissioned

2.2. Write a summary of the note prepared in not more than 80 words. (3  

                marks) 

                                     Temple of Somnathpur

The temple of Somnathpur is extraordinary due to the sculptures on the walls,

pillars, and even the ceiling which is covered by exquisite figures of gods and

goddesses. It is a representation of Hinduism with its many incarnations and

deities. The temple commissioned by Somnath has a ‘kalyana mandapa’ with
three corridors ending in a shrine.