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This section provides NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 12: Ajamil and the Tigers, designed to deepen students’ understanding of the poem’s theme on power dynamics, fear, and coexistence. The solutions analyse the poem’s themes, tone, and poetic devices, helping students in effective exam preparation. You can also download the free PDF for quick revision.
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Explore Notes of Class 11 English Woven Words
NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 12: Ajamil and the Tigers
Here are the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 12: Ajamil and the Tigers, crafted to enhance comprehension of the poem’s themes, imagery, and emotional depth for effective revision.
UNDERSTANDING THE POEM
- The poem has a literal level and a figurative level. Why has the poet chosen ‘tigers’ and ‘sheep’ to convey his message?
On a literal level, the poem narrates a humorous encounter between Ajamil, a shepherd, and tigers, resolved through a “friendship treaty.” Figuratively, the tigers represent powerful, predatory forces, such as political or societal elites, while the sheep symbolise the vulnerable masses. The poet, Arun Kolatkar, chooses these animals to convey his message because tigers evoke fear and authority, as seen in their initial threat to the flock, while sheep signify innocence and defenselessness, as in “before they could get their paws / on a single sheep.” This contrast highlights power imbalances in society, with the tigers’ defeat and Ajamil’s diplomacy satirising how the powerful can be outwitted by the seemingly weak, promoting coexistence over conflict.
- What facet of political life does the behaviour of Ajamil illustrate?
Ajamil’s behaviour illustrates the facet of political life where strategic diplomacy and pragmatism prevail over confrontation. By pretending to believe the tiger king’s lies, as in “pretended to believe every single word,” and offering hospitality with “lamb chops and the roast,” Ajamil diffuses a potentially violent situation. His actions reflect a politician’s or leader’s ability to navigate power dynamics through tact and generosity, ensuring peace by addressing the needs of both the powerful (tigers) and the vulnerable (sheep). This culminates in the “friendship treaty” and gifts of “sheep, leather jackets and balls of wool,” symbolising compromise to maintain harmony, a common strategy in political negotiations.
- Why have the words, ‘pretended’ and ‘seemed’ been used in the lines: …pretended to believe every single word of what the tiger king said. And seemed to be taken in by all the lies. How does the sense of these lines connect with the line ‘Ajamil wasn’t a fool’?
The words “pretended” and “seemed” in the lines “pretended to believe every single word / of what the tiger king said” and “seemed to be taken in by all the lies” suggest that Ajamil is deliberately feigning naivety to maintain peace. These words imply that he is fully aware of the tiger king’s deceit, as the king claims a “misunderstanding” to cover his predatory intent. This connects to “Ajamil wasn’t a fool” because it underscores his wisdom and strategic thinking. By choosing to ignore the sheep dog’s “frantic signs” and accepting the lies, Ajamil avoids conflict, demonstrating that his apparent gullibility is a calculated move to ensure harmony, not a sign of foolishness.
- Why did Ajamil refuse to meet the sheepdog’s eyes?
Ajamil refuses to meet the sheep dog’s eyes, as in “refused to meet his eyes,” because he is deliberately ignoring the dog’s honest signals of disgust at the tiger king’s lies. The sheep dog, described as one “who had never told a lie in his life,” is frustrated by the deception, but Ajamil chooses diplomacy over confrontation. By avoiding the dog’s gaze, Ajamil maintains his pretence of believing the tigers’ false claim of friendship, as seen in “pretended to believe every single word.” This action reflects his strategic decision to prioritise peace and coexistence over exposing the truth, ensuring a non-violent resolution.
- ‘He is free to play a flute all day as well fed tigers and fat sheep drink from the same pond with a full stomach for a common bond.’ What do the phrases ‘play the flute all day’ and ‘a common bond’ refer to?
The phrase “play the flute all day” refers to Ajamil’s freedom and tranquillity as a shepherd, achieved through his successful diplomacy, allowing him to live without fear of conflict. It symbolises a carefree, harmonious life, as he has ensured peace between the tigers and sheep. The phrase “a common bond” refers to the mutual satisfaction and harmony between the tigers and sheep, as seen in “well-fed tigers and fat sheep drink from the same pond.” This bond is forged through Ajamil’s generosity, providing food and gifts to meet the tigers’ needs, creating a shared interest in coexistence based on fulfilled needs, or a “full stomach.”
- The poem is a satire against the present political class. How effectively does it convey the anger and anguish of the common man trapped in the system?
The poem effectively conveys the anger and anguish of the common man through its satirical portrayal of the tiger king and the “tiger people” as arrogant, deceptive figures of authority, representing the political class. The tigers’ initial threat and the king’s boastful plan to “teach that sheep dog a lesson” reflect the common man’s fear of oppressive power. The anguish is captured in Ajamil’s vulnerable position, protecting his flock against a seemingly overwhelming force. However, the satire lies in the tigers’ humiliating defeat and their feeble lies, as in “We were coming to see you as friends,” which mocks the hypocrisy of those in power. Ajamil’s diplomacy, offering a treaty and gifts, reflects the common man’s need to navigate such systems strategically, highlighting both frustration with deceitful leaders and hope for resolution through wisdom, making the critique sharp yet optimistic.
Also Read: NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Hornbill Poem 1 A Photograph (Free PDF)
TRY THIS OUT
- Find out the difference between these literary forms:
(a) fable (b) allegory (c) satire.
- Fable: A short narrative, often featuring animals with human traits, that conveys a moral lesson. For example, Aesop’s The Tortoise and the Hare teaches perseverance through animal characters. In Ajamil and the Tigers, the fable-like structure uses tigers and a shepherd to deliver a moral about diplomacy and coexistence.
- Allegory: A narrative where characters and events symbolise deeper meanings, often moral, political, or philosophical. Ajamil and the Tigers is an allegory, with tigers representing oppressive authorities and Ajamil symbolising the common man, critiquing political power dynamics.
- Satire: A literary form that uses humour, irony, or exaggeration to critique societal flaws or human behaviour. The poem is satirical, mocking the tiger king’s arrogance and deceit, as in “spitting out a tooth” and claiming a “misunderstanding,” to expose the hypocrisy of the political class and highlight the common man’s strategic navigation of power.
Download NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 12: Ajamil and the Tigers
You can download the free PDF of NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 12: Ajamil and the Tigers for effective revision.
Download more NCERT Solutions of Class 11 English ‘Woven Words’ here!
| Poem 1: The Peacock Solution |
| Poem 2: Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds Solution |
| Poem 3: Coming Solution |
| Poem 4: Telephone Conversation Solution |
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