USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The metaphor ‘pads of velvet’ is used effectively in the third line of the first stanza. The tense tone represents the hidden rage of the tiger. In this poem, Leslie Norris has given an appropriate description of a tiger. This poemcontrasts a tiger in the zoo in his cage with the tiger in its natural habitat.

Detailed explanation-2: -Cullen’s Thoughts In A Zoo depicts how humans are similar to caged animals. The meaning of this poem is that humans are trapped just as animals in cages and are not able to see the “vastness beyond”. Humans are just observing other human’s actions, while not being able to see beyond the simple lives that they live.

Detailed explanation-3: -In this poem, the poet uses the device of metonymy in the 2nd line of the 4th stanza, he uses the word “strength” to mean the body of the tiger, where the entire strength of this majestic creature resides and which is locked up within a cage in the zoo.