A Tiger in the Zoo is the third poem from the Book First Flight Class 10th. This poem is beautifully portraying the contrast of lives of two tigers. First tiger is in Jungle and second tiger is in the Zoo.
This poem is written by Leslie Norris. He is a prize-winning Welsh poet and short story writer. This poem has 5 paragraphs and 20 lines i.e. 5 lines in each paragraph. Rhyme scheme of the poem is abab.
Theme
Major theme of this poem is to depict the mental condition of the caged tiger. In this poem, there is a beautiful contrast of 2 tigers. Villagers feel scared by the sight of a wild tiger but they buy a ticket to see the caged tiger.
Important Points of A Tiger in the Zoo
- In the 5 paragraphs, first, fourth and fifth paragraph [3] deals with the tiger in the zoo. Paragraph second & third [2] deals with the tiger in the jungle. Hence main focus for the poet is to show the plight of a caged tiger. This can be understood by the title of the poem.
- There is a contrast in the poem. We can find the independence of tiger in the jungle. People scared of him. While there is a tiger stalking here and there, feel unsecured and depressed in the cage.
- Tiger is a wild animal and it deserved to be at jungle. Human must understand and respect the line of separation between wild and human civilizations. When human beings try to encroach the land of the wild, they over-react otherwise they will never attack humans.
Freedom is the existential gift to everyone. We must respect and honor the rights of everyone whether human or animal.
Moral of the story
Question asked in Board Examinations
- How Leslie Norris contrast the tiger in a cage with a tiger in the forest? [A-2017]
- How does the tiger feel in the cage? How does it walk? [C-2017]
- Describe the cage where tiger has been imprisoned? [A-2018]
- How does the tiger terrorizing the villagers? [B-2018, A-2020]
- What last voice does the tiger hear at night and what does he stares at? [C-2018]
- What is the message of this poem? [A-2019]
- Write the summary of the poem? [B-2019]
- How does the tiger behave in its natural habitat – Jungle?
Analysis
- In previous 4 years, 9 questions came in the board examinations i.e. 8 questions are unique and 1 question is repeated.
- Question 4 was repeated in 2020 after 2018 only. Major questions were never repeated but maximum question are revolving around the lives of both tigers in their habitat i.e. Forest and Cage respectively. All students must learn this contrast effectively to cover this poem.
- Subjective approach is needed for this poem. Students must learn the meaning, synonym and antonym of these words i.e. Stalks, Rage, Lurking, Plump, Snarling and Fangs.
| Year | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| Question Came in Code | A, C | A, B, C | A, B, C | A |
4. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, 2 or more than 2 codes have questions from this poem. Hence it is one of the important poems from examination point of view. Questions are unique without repetition. Hence trend shows that in upcoming years, more unique questions can be asked. Questions from this poem were never asked in Code D in previous 4 years board examinations.
Comprehension or Passage
| Paragraphs | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | Synonym Asked |
| First | Not Asked | Not Asked | Not Asked | D | Pads of Velvet |
| Second | Not Asked | Not Asked | Not Asked | Not Asked | Not Asked |
| Third | Not Asked | Not Asked | Not Asked | Not Asked | Not Asked |
| Fourth | Not Asked | Not Asked | Not Asked | Not Asked | Not Asked |
| Fifth | B | Not Asked | Not Asked | Not Asked | No |
Trends are showing that this poem is important from question-answer point of view than comprehension. But word-meaning can be learnt for vocabulary purpose.
Following is the text taken by NCERT First Flight for Class X and analysis is carried out on the basis of Board of School Education, Haryana previous year question papers. Read the Text of the chapter for enhancing reading and speaking skills.