The Tiger Who Wore White Gloves
by Anonymous
There once was a tiger, terrible and tough, who said “I don’t think tigers are stylish enough.” They put on only orange and stripes of fierce black. Fine and fancy fashion is what they mostly lack. Even though they speak the loudest, so that the jungle shakes and every eye awakes, even though they slither hither and thither in such a wild way that few may care to stay, to be tough just isn’t enough. These are the things the tiger said, growled and tossed his head, and rushed to the jungle fair for something fine to wear.
Then what a hoot and yell upon the jungle fell. The rhinoceros rasped! The elephant gasped! “By all that’s sainted!” said the wolf, and fainted.
The crocodile cried. The lion sighed. The leopard sneered. The jaguar jeered. The antelope shouted. The panther pouted. Everyone screamed, “We never dreamed that in history a tiger could love to wear white gloves. White gloves are for girls with manners and curls and dresses and hats and bow ribbons. That’s the way it always was and rightly so, because it’s nature’s nice decree that tiger folk should not dainty, but daring, and wisely wearing what’s fierce as the face, not whiteness and lace!”
They shamed him, and shamed him until none could blame him, when at last, with a sigh and a saddened eye, and in spite of his love, he took off each glove and accepted that this was the only way to prevail: each tiger content with his lashing tail and satisfied with his strong striped hide.
Summary of The Tiger Who Wore White Gloves
“The Tiger Who Wore White Gloves” is a whimsical poem that was first published in the 1970s. It uses the image of a tiger who desires white gloves to explore themes of individuality, conformity, and societal expectations. While the poem has sometimes been misattributed to Gwendolyn Brooks, research indicates it was written by an anonymous poet and first appeared in a small poetry collection in 1974.
The poem’s central idea revolves around the pressure to conform to established norms. The tiger’s unconventional wish for white gloves disrupts the expected image of a fierce predator. The strong, negative reaction from the other jungle animals highlights how society often rejects anything that deviates from the norm. Ultimately, the poem suggests that while embracing one’s true self, even if it differs from expectations, is valuable, the pressure to conform can be overwhelming.
This poem is more than a whimsical tale; it is a subtle exploration of identity and belonging. It encourages readers to consider the importance of authenticity and to appreciate the diversity of the world. The poem also touches upon gender roles, associating white gloves with traditionally feminine attributes, further complicating the tiger’s desire.
Analysis of Literary and Poetic Devices in The Tiger Who Wore White Gloves
Sound Devices: Creating Rhythm and Musicality
The poet masterfully employs sound devices to enhance the poem’s rhythm and create a memorable reading experience.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, such as “fine and fancy fashion,” draws attention to specific phrases and creates a musical quality. This emphasizes the tiger’s longing for elegance.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words, like the short “a” sound in “antelope shouted” and “panther pouted,” adds to the poem’s melodic nature.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within words, as seen in “slither hither,” creates a subtle resonance and enhances the imagery of the tiger’s movement.
- Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate sounds, like “rasped,” “gasped,” “cried,” and “jeered,” bring the jungle scene to life and immerse the reader in the action. These verbs directly mimic the sounds the animals might make.
Figurative Language: Unveiling Deeper Meanings
The poet skillfully utilizes figurative language to enrich the poem’s meaning and create vivid imagery.
- Imagery: Vivid language creates strong mental images. Phrases like “jungle shakes” and “fierce black stripes” paint a clear picture of the wild environment and the tiger’s natural appearance.
- Symbolism: The white gloves are a central symbol, representing a desire for something different and a departure from expectations. They also symbolize delicacy and femininity, contrasting with the traditionally masculine image of a tiger.
- Metaphor: The tiger can be seen as a metaphor for anyone who feels pressured to conform. His desire for white gloves represents a longing to express individuality, even if it goes against societal norms.
Poetic Structure and Techniques
The poem’s structure and techniques contribute to its overall effect.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem largely follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, giving it a pleasing rhythm and making it memorable. This consistent structure creates a sense of predictability while highlighting key phrases.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, such as in “They shamed him, and shamed him until none could blame him,” creates a flowing rhythm and emphasizes the relentless pressure the tiger faces.
- Diction and Tone: The poet uses relatively simple language, making the poem accessible to a wide audience. However, the tone is subtly ironic. The animals’ exaggerated reactions highlight the absurdity of their disapproval.
Analyzing Key Lines and Passages
Let’s examine a few crucial passages to understand how the poet employs these devices.
“There once was a tiger, terrible and tough, who said ‘I don’t think tigers are stylish enough.'” This opening immediately establishes the tiger as an unconventional character. The juxtaposition of “terrible and tough” with a concern for style creates a sense of playful irony, hinting at the conflict between his natural instincts and his desire for refinement.
“The crocodile cried. The lion sighed. The leopard sneered. The jaguar jeered.” This series of short, direct statements emphasizes the animals’ immediate and dramatic reaction to the tiger’s desire. The use of strong verbs conveys their disapproval and reinforces the idea that they are unwilling to accept anything different. The quick succession of reactions creates a sense of overwhelming opposition.
“White gloves are for girls with manners and curls and dresses and hats and bow ribbons.” This passage reveals the societal norms that the animals are upholding. By associating white gloves with femininity, they reinforce gender roles and suggest that the tiger’s desire is inappropriate for his gender. This highlights the limitations and expectations imposed by society on individuals who deviate from the norm.
“They shamed him, and shamed him until none could blame him, when at last, with a sigh and a saddened eye, and in spite of his love, he took off each glove and accepted that this was the only way to prevail: each tiger content with his lashing tail and satisfied with his strong striped hide.” This ending is particularly poignant. The tiger eventually succumbs to the pressure and removes the gloves, but the poem doesn’t necessarily endorse this outcome. The final lines suggest that he finds contentment in conforming, yet the earlier lines hint at a loss of individuality. This ambiguity encourages readers to consider the complexities of conformity and the importance of being true to oneself. The poem leaves us pondering whether genuine contentment can be found by suppressing one’s desires to fit in.
This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of “The Tiger Who Wore White Gloves,” its literary and poetic devices, and its underlying themes. By exploring these elements, readers can gain a deeper appreciation for the poet’s skill and the enduring relevance of this work.