THE POEM
He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.
He should be snarling around houses
At the jungle’s edge,
Baring his white fangs, his claws,
Terrorising the village!
But he’s locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors.
He hears the last voice at night,
The patrolling cars,
And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.
THE POET
Leslie Norris was a Welsh poet and short story writer known for his sensitive portrayal of nature, animals, and human emotions. Born in 1921 in Wales, he initially worked as a schoolteacher before becoming a full-time writer. His poetry often reflects deep sympathy for living beings and highlights the conflict between natural freedom and human-imposed restrictions. In poems like A Tiger in the Zoo, he uses simple language and vivid imagery to convey powerful messages about captivity, dignity, and the importance of freedom. His works are widely appreciated for their clarity, emotional depth, and strong moral insight.
STANZA 1
He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.
Short Questions (MCQs)
- Where is the tiger in the stanza?
- Forest.
- Zoo
- River
- Mountain
- What does the tiger walk in?
- Jungle
- Open field
- Cage
- Water
- What does “quiet rage” indicate?
- Happiness
- Silent anger
- Fear
- Excitement
- How are the tiger’s steps described?
- Loud and fast.
- Heavy and noisy
- Soft and silent
- Careless
- What do “pads of velvet” refer to?
- Tiger’s skin
- Tiger’s eyes
- Tiger’s paws
- Tiger’s tail
Questions
- How does the tiger move in the cage?
The tiger moves slowly and silently inside the cage. Its steps are soft and controlled, described as “pads of velvet quiet.” This shows that although the tiger is powerful, it is calm and restrained. Its movement reflects suppressed strength and frustration.
- What is meant by “quiet rage”?
“Quiet rage” refers to the tiger’s silent anger. It is angry because it is trapped in a cage and cannot live freely. However, it does not express this anger loudly; instead, it keeps it inside, making it more intense and painful.
- Why is the tiger confined to a few steps?
The tiger is confined to a few steps because it is kept in a small cage in the zoo. This limits its natural movement and freedom, forcing it to live in an unnatural and restricted space.
- What does the poet want to show through the tiger’s condition?
The poet wants to show the cruelty of keeping wild animals in captivity. By describing the tiger’s restricted movement and silent anger, he highlights how unnatural and unfair zoo life is for such a powerful animal.
- What feelings does this stanza create in the reader?
This stanza creates feelings of pity, sadness, and sympathy. The reader feels sorry for the tiger because it is strong but helpless, trapped in a cage and unable to live freely.
STANZA 2
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.
Where should the tiger be?
- Cage
- Zoo
- Jungle
- House
What does “lurking” mean?
- Running
- Hiding secretly
- Sleeping
- Jumping
The tiger is moving through:
- Water
- Grass
- Cave
- Rocks
Where is the tiger waiting?
- Near trees
- Near water hole
- Near road
- Near cage
What kind of deer are mentioned?
- Thin deer
- Weak deer
- Plump deer
- Fast deer
Questions
- Where should the tiger be according to the poet?
According to the poet, the tiger should be in the jungle, its natural habitat. There, it can move freely, hunt prey, and live according to its instincts instead of being confined in a cage.
- What does “lurking in shadow” suggest?
“Lurking in shadow” suggests that the tiger is hiding quietly and patiently in darkness. It reflects its natural hunting behaviour, where it waits silently for the right moment to attack its prey.
- How does the tiger move in the jungle?
The tiger moves smoothly and silently through the long grass. The word “sliding” suggests grace, control, and stealth, which are important qualities for hunting.
- Why is the tiger near the water hole?
The tiger stays near the water hole because animals like deer come there to drink water. It waits there to catch its prey, showing its intelligence and hunting strategy.
- What does this stanza highlight about the tiger?
This stanza highlights the tiger’s natural strength, freedom, and hunting skills. It shows how the tiger is meant to live in the wild, not in captivity.
STANZA 3
He should be snarling around houses
At the jungle’s edge,
Baring his white fangs, his claws,
Terrorising the village!
