NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English (Woven Words) Poetry 12 Ajamil and the Tigers

Class : 11th

Subject : English

Chapter : 12

Chapter Name : Ajamil and the tigers

Q1 The poem has a literal level and a figurative level. Why has the poet chosen ‘tigers’ and
‘sheep’ to convey his message?

Answer. This poem is written in a way to depict satire on modern politics where people are
sheep, warriors are sheepdogs, politicians are compared with Ajamil and the tigers are depicted
as the countries that try to attack our nation. Sheep depicts the innocence of the people and the
cruelty of other nations that are trying to harm our nation.

Q2 What facet of political life does the behaviour of Ajamil illustrate?

Answer. In the poem, when the brave dog brought all the tigers as the prisoners of war with him,
Ajamil, didn’t punish him instead signed a treaty friendship with them.

This indicates that the lack of confidence of the politicians over the army which is the reason
why so many prisoners are treated with great hospitality instead of severe punishment.

They feel that in war the whole nation is lost at once, and they believe it's better to sacrifice
some and protect the rest.

Q3 Why have the words, ‘pretended’ and ‘seemed’ been used in the lines: