A Tiger in the Zoo Class 10 English First Flight Poem 3 Summary is available here. This summary is created by the subject experts of CBSE Wale. The poem is included in the First Flight reader book, which is the main English textbook for CBSE Class 10 students. By reading this summary, students can understand the poem better and improve their English language skills.
A Tiger in the Zoo Class 10 English First Flight Poem 3 Summary
A Tiger in the Zoo Short Summary In Hindi
The poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” by Leslie Norris talks about a tiger that lives in a zoo and is trapped in a cage. The tiger is beautiful with stripes on his skin and soft paws, but he is not happy in the cage. The poet explains how the tiger would have lived a free life in the wild, hunting for prey and being feared by the nearby villages. However, the reality is that the tiger is trapped in a strong cage, unable to show his true strength to visitors. The poet describes the tiger as powerless and sad, even at night when he is alone listening to police cars and looking at the stars. The poem shows how human beings keep animals in cages for their own enjoyment, but this takes away the animal’s freedom and makes them sad.
A Tiger in the Zoo Short Summary In Hindi
लेस्ली नॉरिस की कविता “A Tiger in the Zoo” एक बाघ के बारे में बात करती है जो एक चिड़ियाघर में रहता है और पिंजरे में बंद है। बाघ की त्वचा पर धारियाँ और कोमल पंजे के साथ सुंदर है, लेकिन वह पिंजरे में खुश नहीं है। कवि समझाता है कि कैसे बाघ जंगल में एक मुक्त जीवन व्यतीत करता, शिकार के लिए शिकार करता और आस-पास के गाँवों से डरता। हालांकि, हकीकत यह है कि बाघ एक मजबूत पिंजरे में फंसा हुआ है, जो आगंतुकों को अपनी असली ताकत दिखाने में असमर्थ है। कवि रात में भी बाघ का वर्णन शक्तिहीन और उदास के रूप में करता है, जब वह अकेला पुलिस कारों को सुन रहा होता है और तारों को देख रहा होता है। कविता में दिखाया गया है कि मनुष्य कैसे अपने आनंद के लिए जानवरों को पिंजरों में रखता है, लेकिन इससे जानवरों की आजादी छिन जाती है और वे दुखी हो जाते हैं।
A Tiger in the Zoo Summary
The poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” is about a sad tiger that lives in a zoo. The tiger is kept in a small cage that limits his movement. He can only take a few steps. The tiger has noticeable stripes on his body and his paws are soft like velvet. He walks quietly on his soft pads, except when he is angry.
The poet believes that a cage is not a suitable place for a tiger as it is not their natural home. Therefore, the tiger in the cage is being treated cruelly by humans. Tigers usually live in the forest and hide under bushes or grass near water sources to catch their prey, such as deer, silently. The poet wants to tell people that tigers should live in the forest, not in a cage.
The poet suggests that the tiger should live at the edge of the jungle near a village. It can scare people passing by showing its sharp teeth, claws, and roaring angrily.
The poet feels sorry for the tiger who is trapped inside a concrete cell. The tiger is unable to leave because of the strong bars on the cell, so its strength is locked behind them. These circumstances make the tiger uninterested in the visitors and it just walks around in its small cage.
The poet wants to make people understand that the tiger in the cage is feeling uncomfortable and restless. The tiger is not interested in the sounds of the zoo authority’s patrolling cars and is staring at the shining stars with its bright eyes. The poet is highlighting the moral issue of the cruelty of humans keeping animals in cages and intends to make a strong argument against it.
A Tiger in the Zoo Summary In Hindi
“A Tiger in the Zoo” कविता एक उदास बाघ के बारे में है जो एक चिड़ियाघर में रहता है। बाघ को एक छोटे से पिंजरे में रखा जाता है जो उसकी गति को सीमित करता है। वह कुछ ही कदम उठा सकता है। बाघ के शरीर पर ध्यान देने योग्य धारियाँ होती हैं और उसके पंजे मखमल की तरह मुलायम होते हैं। वह अपने नरम पैड पर चुपचाप चलता है, सिवाय जब वह गुस्से में हो।
कवि का मानना है कि पिंजरा बाघ के लिए उपयुक्त स्थान नहीं है क्योंकि यह उनका प्राकृतिक घर नहीं है। इसलिए पिंजरे में बंद बाघ के साथ इंसानों द्वारा क्रूरता बरती जा रही है। बाघ आमतौर पर जंगल में रहते हैं और अपने शिकार, जैसे हिरण, को चुपचाप पकड़ने के लिए पानी के स्रोतों के पास झाड़ियों या घास के नीचे छिप जाते हैं। कवि लोगों को बताना चाहता है कि बाघ को जंगल में रहना चाहिए, पिंजरे में नहीं।
कवि सुझाव देता है कि बाघ को एक गाँव के पास जंगल के किनारे पर रहना चाहिए। यह अपने नुकीले दांत, पंजे दिखाकर और गुस्से में दहाड़ कर गुजरने वाले लोगों को डरा सकता है।
कवि को उस बाघ पर दया आती है जो एक कंक्रीट की कोठरी में फंसा हुआ है। सेल पर मजबूत सलाखों के कारण बाघ बाहर नहीं निकल पाता है, इसलिए उसकी ताकत उनके पीछे बंद हो जाती है। ये परिस्थितियाँ बाघ को आगंतुकों के प्रति उदासीन बना देती हैं और वह बस अपने छोटे से पिंजरे में घूमता रहता है।
कवि लोगों को यह समझाना चाहता है कि पिंजरे में बंद शेर असहज और बेचैन महसूस कर रहा है। बाघ को चिड़ियाघर प्राधिकरण की गश्ती कारों की आवाज़ में कोई दिलचस्पी नहीं है और वह अपनी चमकदार आँखों से चमकते सितारों को घूर रहा है। कवि जानवरों को पिंजरों में रखने वाले मनुष्यों की क्रूरता के नैतिक मुद्दे पर प्रकाश डाल रहा है और इसके खिलाफ एक मजबूत तर्क देने का इरादा रखता है।
The Explanation of the Poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”
Stanza 1
He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.
Important Word Meaning
Stalks: It means to walk quietly and carefully, especially in order to avoid being seen or heard.
Vivid: The word “vivid” means something that is bright, intense, or lively in color or appearance.
Pads: In the context of the poem, “pads” refer to the soft feet of the tiger. It is used to describe the way the tiger walks silently in its cage.
Velvet Quiet: “Velvet quiet” is a phrase used to describe the soft and silent movement of the tiger’s feet (pads) as it walks in its cage. The word “velvet” suggests something that is very soft, smooth, and pleasant to the touch, like the texture of velvet fabric. By describing the tiger’s pads as “velvet quiet”, the poet emphasises how the tiger moves silently and smoothly in its cage, which adds to the feeling of sadness and helplessness that the poem is trying to convey.
Quiet Rage: “Quiet rage” is a phrase used to describe the state of anger or frustration that the tiger is feeling while being confined to its cage. The word “quiet” suggests that the tiger is not expressing its rage outwardly through loud noises or aggressive behaviour, but rather, it is simmering inside, causing the tiger to feel restless and uneasy.
Explanation
In this stanza of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” the poet is describing the tiger in the cage. The tiger is moving around in its limited space in the cage, taking a few steps at a time. The stripes on its body are vivid and easily noticeable. The tiger’s paws are soft and quiet like velvet, making no noise as it walks. The phrase “in his quiet rage” suggests that the tiger is angry or frustrated, but it is not showing its emotions outwardly. It is silently expressing its dissatisfaction and restlessness by pacing around in the cage.
Poetic Devices
Assonance: There is a prominent sound of the vowel ‘i’ in “He stalks in his vivid stripes” and “In his quiet rage”.
Consonance: There is a prominent sound of the consonant ‘s’ in “stalks in his vivid stripes”.
Alliteration: The repetition of the “s” sound in “stalks in his vivid stripes” and “on pads of velvet quiet” is an example of alliteration.
Metaphor: The paws of the tiger have been compared with velvet.
Personification: The poet refers to the tiger as ‘he’ and not ‘it’. Thus, the tiger has been personified.
Imagery: The use of vivid and sensory language such as “vivid stripes” and “pads of velvet quiet” creates a clear image in the reader’s mind.
Oxymoron: The poet has used two words which are opposite in meaning which are ‘quiet’ and ‘rage’.
Enjambment: The sentences are being continued to the next line. In the first line of the stanza.
Stanza 2
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.
Important Word Meaning
Lurking: “Lurking” means to stay hidden, waiting for a chance to attack or observe something. In this context, the poet is suggesting that the tiger should be hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to pounce on its prey.
Shadow: In this context, “shadow” refers to an area of darkness created by an object blocking the light. The poet is suggesting that the tiger should be hiding in the darkness, waiting for its prey to pass by.
Sliding: In this context, “sliding” means moving quietly and smoothly, often with the intention of remaining unnoticed. The poet is suggesting that the tiger should be able to move through the long grass without making a sound, so that it can ambush its prey.
Water hole: A “water hole” is a natural or man-made depression in the ground that collects and holds water, often used by animals as a source of drinking water. In this context, the poet is suggesting that the tiger should be near a water hole where deer come to drink, making it easier for the tiger to hunt and catch its prey.
Plump deer: “Plump deer” refers to healthy and well-fed deer that are a good source of prey for the tiger. It means that the deer that come to drink water at the water hole are healthy and have enough fat on them, making them easier targets for the tiger.
Explanations Of Stanza 2
This stanza of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” talks about where the tiger should be, which is not in the cage but in its natural habitat. The poet suggests that the tiger should be lurking in the shadows, sliding through long grass near the water hole where the deer pass. The idea is to show that the tiger should be in its natural surroundings, where it can roam free and hunt its prey. The use of “lurking” and “sliding” creates an image of the tiger being stealthy and cautious in its movements, waiting for its prey.
Poetic Devices
Alliteration: The repetition of the ‘s’ sound in “should be lurking in shadow” and “sliding through long grass” and ‘p’ in “plum pass” creates an alliteration.
Imagery: The use of descriptive words like “shadow,” “long grass,” “water hole,” and “plump deer” create a vivid image in the reader’s mind.
Enjambment: The sentences are being continued to the next line without any use of punctuation marks.
Stanza 3
He should be snarling around houses
At the jungle’s edge,
Baring his white fangs, his claws,
Terrorising the village!
Important Word Meaning
Snarling: Snarling refers to the sound or action of an animal, typically a dog or a wild animal, growling and showing its teeth as a sign of aggression, anger or hostility.
Jungle’s edge: “Jungle’s edge” refers to the boundary between the jungle or forest and a nearby human settlement or village. It is the place where the jungle meets the human habitat.
Baring: “Baring” in this context means to show or expose, usually referring to teeth or claws.
White fangs: “Fangs” are sharp, long teeth that some animals have, such as tigers, lions, and snakes. The term “white fangs” refers to the colour of the teeth, which are usually white or off-white in colour.
Claws: Claws are sharp curved nails found in the paws of animals such as cats, dogs, bears, and birds of prey. They are used for gripping, holding, and tearing flesh, as well as for self-defence.
Terrorising: “Terrorising” means to create a feeling of great fear or dread in someone. In the context of the stanza, it means the tiger should be scaring or intimidating the people in the nearby village by showing its sharp teeth, claws, and making a roaring sound.
Explanation
This stanza of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” suggests that the tiger should be in its natural habitat, which is the jungle. Instead of being locked up in a cage, the tiger should be roaming around the jungle’s edge, near the village. The poet suggests that the tiger should be able to show its true nature by baring its sharp teeth and claws, producing a loud roar, and striking fear into the people of the village. This would be the natural way for a tiger to live, rather than being trapped in a concrete cell. The poet is trying to convey the message that humans should respect the natural habitats of animals and let them live as they were meant to.
Poetic Devices
Assonance: There is a prominent sound of the vowel ‘i’ in “Baring his white fangs, his claws” and ‘o’ “He should be snarling around houses”.
Consonance: Prominent sound of ‘s’ in “Baring his white fangs, his claws”.
Onomatopoeia: In this stanza, the poet has used the word snarling, which denotes the aggressive sound made by the tiger.
Enjambment: The sentences are being continued to the next line without any use of punctuation marks.
Stanza 4
But he’s locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors.
Important Word Meaning
Concrete cell: A concrete cell refers to a small room or enclosure made of concrete. In this context, it is referring to the cage in which the tiger is kept.
Behind bars: “Behind bars” refers to the tiger being kept in captivity in a cage, where strong bars of metal or other material are used to prevent the tiger from escaping.
Stalking: In the context of the poem, “stalking” refers to the tiger’s movement in the limited space of his cage, where he moves back and forth, pacing and showing signs of restlessness.
Explanation
This stanza of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” talks about how the tiger is locked in a cage made of concrete, and its strength is locked behind the bars. The tiger walks back and forth in the limited space of the cage, ignoring the visitors who come to see him. The poet is expressing his concern about the sad state of the tiger and how it should be in its natural habitat, free and not locked up in a cage. The stanza portrays the miserable life of the tiger in captivity, where it is unable to move freely and express its natural instincts.
Poetic Devices
Assonance: There is a prominent sound of the vowel ‘e’ in “he’s locked in a concrete cell”.
Consonance: There is a prominent sound of ‘s’ in “His strength behind bars”.
Alliteration: There is repetition of the letter ‘b’ “in behind bars”.
Personification: The poet refers to the tiger as ‘he’ and not ‘it’. Thus, the tiger has been personified.
Imagery: The use of descriptive language and sensory details to create a mental picture of the tiger in the cage.
Stanza 5
He hears the last voice at night,
The patrolling cars,
And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.
Important Word Meaning
Concrete cell: A concrete cell refers to a small room or enclosure made of concrete. In this context, it is referring to the cage in which the tiger is kept.
Behind bars: “Behind bars” refers to the tiger being kept in captivity in a cage, where strong bars of metal or other material are used to prevent the tiger from escaping.
Stalking: In the context of the poem, “stalking” refers to the tiger’s movement in the limited space of his cage, where he moves back and forth, pacing and showing signs of restlessness.
Explanation
In this stanza of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” the poet talks about how the tiger is confined in his cage, unable to move freely. He describes how the tiger can hear the patrolling cars of the zoo authorities, which is the last voice he hears at night. The tiger is shown to have brilliant eyes, and he stares at the shining stars in the sky. This stanza suggests the tiger’s longing for freedom and his natural habitat, where he can roam freely under the sky, instead of being locked up in a cage.
Poetic Devices
Assonance: There is a prominent sound of the vowel ‘i’ in “with his brilliant”.
Alliteration: It is the repetition of a letter at the start of closely placed words like letter ‘h’ in “he hears”.
Repetition: The word “brilliant” has been repeated.
Enjambment: The third line is being continued to the next line without any use of punctuation marks.
Poet of the Poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”
The poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” is written by Leslie Norris.
About the Poet of the Poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”
Leslie Norris (1921-2006) was a Welsh poet, short-story writer, translator, and educator. He taught at various schools and universities, including Brigham Young University in Utah, where he settled with his wife, Catherine Morgan, in 1983. Norris’ poetic works dealt with themes such as nature, his Welsh home, and his experiences as a teacher. He was a fine technician and won numerous awards, including the Cholmondeley Poetry Prize and the David Higham Memorial Prize. He is considered one of the major Welsh poets of the 20th century and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of poets and writers.
Theme of the Poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”
The poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” by Leslie Norris talks about how wild animals are kept locked up in zoos. The tiger in the poem is stuck in its cage and can’t move around freely like it would in the jungle. The tiger is unhappy, and the poem shows that it’s wrong to keep animals in captivity for people’s entertainment. The poem says that it’s better for animals to live in their natural habitat than to be locked up. Even though we think these animals are beautiful and strong, we shouldn’t keep them locked up and take away their freedom.
Main Idea of the Poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”
The main idea of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” by Leslie Norris is to bring attention to the plight of wild animals kept in captivity in zoos. The poem describes the tiger’s confinement and frustration in its small cage, and highlights the stark contrast between its life in the zoo and its natural habitat in the jungle. The poet suggests that wild animals should not be taken out of their natural environment for human entertainment and profit, and that they deserve the freedom to roam and hunt in the wild. The poem serves as a critique of the inhumane treatment of animals in captivity and urges us to reconsider our relationship with nature.
Moral of the Poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”
The poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” by Leslie Norris highlights the cruelty and inhumanity of keeping wild animals confined in zoos for the entertainment of humans. The moral of the poem is that wild animals belong in their natural habitats and should be allowed to roam freely and hunt for their prey, instead of being trapped in cages and put on display. The poem urges people to respect and appreciate the natural beauty and power of these animals, and to stop exploiting them for our own amusement. Ultimately, the poem encourages us to be more compassionate towards animals and to take responsibility for their well-being, both in captivity and in the wild.
Message of the Poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”
The message of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” by Leslie Norris is that wild animals, like tigers, belong in their natural habitat and not in captivity. The poet uses the tiger’s confinement in the zoo to highlight the inhumane treatment of animals in captivity and suggests that they are better off living freely in their natural environment. The poem also conveys the idea that humans should respect and appreciate the natural world, and not exploit it for their own entertainment. It encourages us to reflect on our relationship with nature and the responsibility we have towards protecting and preserving it.
Conclusion of the Poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”
In conclusion, “A Tiger in the Zoo” by Leslie Norris is a poignant reflection on the captivity of wild animals in zoos. The poem describes the tiger’s confinement and frustration at being unable to live freely in its natural habitat. Through this poem, the poet raises important questions about the treatment of animals in captivity and suggests that they deserve to be free to live and roam as they please. The poem’s message is a call to action to protect the rights of animals and to ensure that they are treated humanely. Overall, “A Tiger in the Zoo” is a powerful piece of writing that encourages readers to reflect on their attitudes towards the natural world and the animals that inhabit it.
Rhyme Scheme of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”
The poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” by William Wordsworth has a rhyme scheme of ABCB.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To The Poem A Tiger in the Zoo
Question 1. What is the main theme of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”?
Answer: The main theme of the poem is the captivity and confinement of wild animals in zoos.
Question 2. Who is the poet of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”?
Answer: The poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” is written by Leslie Norris.
Question 3. What is the tiger doing in the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”?
Answer: The tiger is pacing its cage in frustration in the poem.
Question 4. How does the poet contrast the tiger’s life in the zoo with its natural habitat?
Answer: The poet contrasts the tiger’s life in the zoo with its natural habitat by describing how the tiger is unable to roam freely or hunt for its prey in the zoo.
Question 5. What is the paradox highlighted in the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”?
Answer: The paradox highlighted in the poem is that humans admire the beauty and power of wild animals, yet they deny them their freedom by keeping them in zoos.
Question 6. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”?
Answer: The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABCB.
Question 7. What is the significance of the title “A Tiger in the Zoo”?
Answer: The title “A Tiger in the Zoo” sets the scene for the poem and suggests that the poem is about a tiger living in a confined space.
Question 8. What emotions does the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” evoke in the reader?
Answer: The poem evokes emotions of pity, sympathy, and sadness in the reader.
Question 9. What is the message of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”?
Answer: The message of the poem is that wild animals should be allowed to live in their natural environment and not be locked up for the entertainment of humans.
Question 10. What is the tone of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”?
Answer: The tone of the poem is sombre and critical.
Question 11. What does the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” reveal about the poet’s attitude towards zoos?
Answer: The poem reveals that the poet is critical of zoos and believes that they are inhumane places for wild animals.
Question 12. What is the significance of the tiger’s behaviour in the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”?
Answer: The tiger’s behaviour in the poem is significant as it reveals its frustration and confinement in the zoo.
Question 13. What is the structure of the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo”?
Answer: The poem has five stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABCB.