English P 3 A Tiger in the Zoo

      Poem 3   A Tiger in the Zoo

Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words:

1. What do you understand by His strength be-hind bars'? What kind of a cage is he locked in ?

Ans. The tiger is wretched in its cage. His power is confined behind the bars. He is locked in a small cage where he is devoid of freedom. He feels unhappy, frustrated, restless and angry.

2. Is it safe to allow tigers to live in their natural habitat these days?

Ans. Although it is ideal for tigers to live in the wild, today, it will mean certain death for them. Fast diminishing jungles and danger posed by poachers have pushed tigers to the brink of extinction, making their natural home unsafe.

3. The tiger in the poem 'A Tiger in the Zoo' has some obvious limitations, describe them in contrast to its natural habitat.

Ans. The tiger in the zoo was confined to a small space. He was angry that he was not free to move, hunt and do what he pleased. He was forced to be a showpiece; and the cage's bars obstructed his view of the starry night. This was all unlike his natural habitat where he hunted fiercely and slept fitfully.

4. What is the theme of the poem ?

                         or

What message does the poet want to convey through the poem-Tiger in the Zoo'?

Ans. The poet wants to convey that it is cruel to keep the wild animals in small enclosures of the zoo, away from their natural habitat. They feel angry, helpless and unhappy and remember their life and environment in the forest.

5. Why do you think the tiger was stalking in the cage? What does it show?

Ans. I think the tiger was feeling restless and uneasy in that small cage. He seemed to be frustrated and helpless as he could not come out of the cage in the open and enjoy his freedom. He did not want to be a mere showpiece and a source of entertainment for the human beings.

6. Describe the movement of the tiger in the cage and in the wild? 

Ans. In the zoo, in his small cage devoid of freedom, the tiger feels unhappy. He is frustrated, restless and angry. In the forest he enjoys moving majestically wherever he wants, terrorises the villagers by displaying his sharp teeth and claws. He is happy in the forest, enjoying his liberty and surroundings, but not in the zoo.

Long Answer Type Questions

Answer the following questions in about 100-150 words:

1. Animals, big and small, are being used by humans for their selfish ends? What is your opinion regarding the exploitation of animals?

Mention some examples that you can see as a possible solution to this problem. 

Ans. It is true that animals, big and small are

being used by humans for their selfish ends. We use them for our own benefits. Animals are killed, poached and captured for commercial benefits. Humans have encroached on their space and sheltered them in zoos which is truly inhuman. In the poem, the poet showed the plight of a tiger. He is captured and confined in a small cage. He is frustrated, angry and restless. He longs for freedom. Confinement brings bondage and bondage is cruelty.

          Everyday we see many animals suffering due to humans. Monkeys, bears captured and made to dance on roads, elephants are chained and forced to lift heavy loads. Many animals are sheltered in zoos for the entertainment of human beings. They are kept in poor conditions. They are treated inhumanly. We should learn to respect nature and its inhabitants. After all, these animals too share the earth with us.

2. Some animals are becoming extinct; the tiger is one such animal. What do you think could be the reason? Should this decrease in number be stopped? Why?

Ans. The primary threats to the survival of tigers are poaching and habitat loss due to intensive development. The tigers are getting extinct. The tigers are on the list of endangered species and the reason behind it is human interference. Humans hunt tigers for their commercial benefits. The loss of habitats also leads to a reduction in prey animals, so the area can support fewer tigers. Moreover, tigers are poached for trophies such as teeth and fur and for traditional medicines. The growing population clears the forest areas to make them agricultural land for growing food. This creates problem of destruction of tiger's habitat. Tigers are the backbone of food web and forest, hence should be protected.

                        ************