Poem: A Tiger in the Zoo
by Leslie Norris
Textual Questions (Page No. 29–30)
Q1. Find the words that describe the movements and actions of the tiger in the cage and in the wild. Arrange them in two columns.
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Tiger in the cage: stalks, quiet rage, locked, stalking the length of his cage, ignoring visitors, hears voices, stares.
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Tiger in the wild: lurking in shadow, sliding through long grass, near the water hole, snarling, baring fangs and claws, terrorising the village.
Q2. Find the words that describe the two places, and arrange them in two columns.
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Cage: few steps, concrete cell, bars, patrolling cars, last voice at night.
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Jungle: shadow, long grass, water hole, jungle’s edge, houses, village, stars.
Q3. What do you think is the effect of the repetition in the following lines?
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“On pads of velvet quiet, / In his quiet rage.”
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“And stares with his brilliant eyes / At the brilliant stars.”
Ans. The repetition emphasises the contrast between the tiger’s appearance and his condition. His movement is soft, but his anger is suppressed. His brilliant eyes reflect his strength, but his gaze is trapped between the bars, unable to reach the brilliant stars.
Q4. Are zoos necessary for the protection or conservation of some species of animals? Are they useful for educating the public? Are there alternatives to zoos?
Ans. Zoos may protect endangered species and educate people, but they often confine animals unnaturally, denying them freedom. Alternatives such as wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and reserves allow animals to live in their natural habitats while still being protected. These are more humane and educational.
Extra Questions & Answers
Short Answer Type
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How does the poet describe the tiger in the cage?
He is locked in a small concrete cell, pacing silently in “quiet rage,” his strength wasted behind bars. -
Where should the tiger be instead of the cage?
He should be in the jungle, lurking in the shadows, sliding through the grass, hunting deer, and terrorising villagers. -
Why does the tiger stare at the stars?
He stares at the brilliant stars with longing, as they remind him of the freedom and world he has lost. -
What is the central theme of the poem?
The contrast between captivity and freedom, highlighting the cruelty of imprisoning wild animals. -
What effect do the words “quiet rage” create?
They show suppressed anger—the tiger cannot roar or attack, but his spirit burns silently within.
Long Answer Type
Q1. How does the poem contrast the tiger’s life in the zoo with his life in the wild?
Ans. Leslie Norris’s poem vividly contrasts the restricted life of a tiger in captivity with the freedom of his natural habitat. In the zoo, the tiger is confined to a concrete cell, pacing back and forth in frustration. His majestic strength is wasted, and his rage is silent because he is powerless. The visitors treat him as an exhibit, and his natural instincts are suppressed. At night, he listens to human voices and stares at the stars, longing for freedom.
In contrast, the poet imagines the tiger in the wild, where he would roam freely through shadows and tall grass. He would wait near water holes, hunt deer, or roar at the jungle’s edge, instilling fear in villages. In the wild, his strength and instincts have meaning, and he lives as nature intended. By placing these two images side by side, Norris highlights the cruelty of captivity and the dignity of freedom.
Q2. What message does Leslie Norris convey through “A Tiger in the Zoo”?
Ans. The poem conveys a strong message about the importance of freedom and the cruelty of captivity. Norris shows how a powerful creature like the tiger, designed to rule the jungle, becomes helpless and frustrated in a cage. The poem criticises human insensitivity in treating animals as entertainment while depriving them of dignity. It urges readers to rethink the purpose of zoos and to consider alternatives that preserve animals’ natural habitats. The poet suggests that true conservation does not mean imprisoning animals but protecting them in the wild. The tiger staring at the stars symbolises his yearning for freedom, reminding us that every creature has a right to live with dignity.
Summary of the Poem
Leslie Norris’s poem A Tiger in the Zoo is a thought-provoking work that contrasts the life of a tiger in captivity with that of a tiger in the wild. It highlights the suffering caused when animals are deprived of their freedom and natural environment.
The poem opens with the image of a tiger confined to a small cage. His stripes are vivid, but his movements are restricted to a few steps. He moves silently, padded on velvet paws, but within him burns “quiet rage.” This rage represents his suppressed anger and frustration at being imprisoned. His natural instincts and strength are wasted behind bars.
The poet then shifts to an imagined picture of the tiger in the wild. In his natural habitat, the tiger should be lurking in the shadows, sliding through the tall grass, or waiting near the water hole for deer. He should be free to snarl, display his fangs and claws, and even terrorise villages near the jungle. This image conveys his power, authority, and dominance as the king of beasts. It contrasts sharply with his helplessness in captivity.
The poem returns to the cage, where the tiger is described as “locked in a concrete cell.” His strength and ferocity are useless behind bars. He paces endlessly, ignoring visitors who come only to watch his suffering. His reality is monotonous and unnatural.
At night, the tiger hears the last sounds of humans—the voices of patrolling cars. Then, in silence, he lifts his gaze to the stars. His brilliant eyes meet the brilliant stars, suggesting both his majestic spirit and his longing for freedom. The stars remind him of the world beyond bars, where he belongs but cannot return.
The central theme of the poem is the contrast between freedom and captivity. The poet makes readers realise the cruelty of confining wild animals. The tiger is not merely a zoo attraction but a powerful creature designed to live in the wild. His cage strips him of dignity, strength, and purpose.
The poem also critiques human insensitivity. Visitors see the tiger as entertainment but fail to understand his suffering. The patrolling cars at night symbolise human dominance that continues to cage and control nature.
Stylistically, the poem is simple yet powerful. The repetition of words like “quiet” and “brilliant” stresses the tiger’s suppressed emotions and his majestic qualities, even in confinement. The alternating stanzas—wild vs. cage—create a sharp contrast, reinforcing the tragedy of captivity.
Ultimately, A Tiger in the Zoo is not just about a tiger; it is about freedom, dignity, and respect for all living beings. It asks us to rethink our treatment of animals and realise that true conservation means allowing them to live naturally, not imprisoning them for human amusement.
✒️ Biography of Leslie Norris
George Leslie Norris (1921–2006) was a Welsh poet and short story writer renowned for his sensitive depictions of nature, animals, and human emotions. Born on 21 May 1921 in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, Norris grew up during a time of economic hardship. His early life experiences in industrial Wales greatly influenced his literary vision.
Initially, Norris worked in various jobs, including as a miner and in the Royal Air Force during World War II. His passion for literature, however, guided him towards teaching and writing. He later became a professor of English at several universities, including Brigham Young University in the United States.
Norris was deeply influenced by the natural world. Many of his poems revolve around animals, birds, and landscapes. He wrote with keen observation, blending vivid imagery with emotional depth. His style was known for its precision, musicality, and simplicity. A Tiger in the Zoo is one such poem where he combines empathy for animals with a critique of human cruelty.
Apart from poetry, Norris also wrote acclaimed short stories. His collections often explored working-class life, family struggles, and relationships, capturing the spirit of ordinary people with dignity and compassion. His stories, like his poems, are admired for their clarity and emotional impact.
Norris received recognition and awards for his contribution to literature, including the Cholmondeley Award for Poetry. His works were widely anthologised in British and international collections, making him a significant voice in modern poetry.
His life as a teacher also shaped his literary career. Norris inspired generations of students, encouraging them to engage with literature and develop sensitivity towards the world around them. His teaching and writing reflected his belief in the power of words to change perspectives.
Norris passed away in 2006, but his legacy endures. He is remembered as one of Wales’s finest poets, who gave voice to both human and animal experiences. Through poems like A Tiger in the Zoo, he continues to teach readers empathy, respect for freedom, and awareness of the consequences of human actions on nature.