question_answer 2)

Why do you think Aunt Jennifer's hands are 'fluttering' through her wool in the second stanza? Why is she finding the needle so hard to pull?  

Answer:

Aunt Jennifer is described to be working with a piece of wool. She is obviously doing needlepoint in a panel that will be placed in the home. Her fingers are fIuttering to create the beautiful image of the tigers. Aunt Jennifer is expressing herself through the creation of her tigers. However, creating those tigers and expressing those feelings are difficult. Those feelings are repressed by the weight of marriage, gender roles, and a dominating society. 'Uncle's wedding band' represents the patriarchal society in which she lives. This weight is not something she enjoys as the band is described to sit 'heavily' on her hand and keeps her from the only mode of expression she has, her needlepoint.