A Tiger in the Zoo Summary | kjv Summary

“A Tiger in the Zoo” is a poem by Leslie Norris that contrasts the life of a tiger in captivity with how it would live in the wild. The poem highlights the sadness and frustration of a tiger confined in a zoo, unable to roam freely in its natural habitat.

Summary:
The poem describes a tiger that is kept in a small cage at the zoo. The tiger’s movements are limited, and it can only walk back and forth along the length of the cage. The tiger’s powerful body, sharp claws, and bright eyes are all symbols of its strength, but in the cage, it cannot use these abilities as it would in the wild.

In the wild, the tiger would roam freely through the forest, hunting for prey like deer and living according to its natural instincts. It would move silently through the long grass, using its strength and stealth to catch its food. The poem emphasizes that the tiger belongs in the wild, where it can live a free and natural life.

However, in the zoo, the tiger is trapped behind bars. It is frustrated and angry but can only express these feelings by quietly pacing in its cage. The tiger’s powerful roar is now reduced to a mere sound that is heard by visitors at the zoo. The poem ends with the image of the tiger staring out at the stars at night, perhaps dreaming of the freedom it has lost.

Key Points:
Contrast: The poem contrasts the tiger’s life in captivity with how it would live freely in the wild.
Captivity: The tiger is confined to a small cage, where it cannot express its natural behavior.
Frustration: The tiger is frustrated and angry because it is unable to live as it should.
Freedom: The poem suggests that animals like the tiger belong in the wild, where they can live freely and according to their nature.