If we read "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers" as an allegory for female creativity, what does Uncle represent?

In the poem "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers" by Adrienne Rich, if we interpret it as an allegory for female creativity, Uncle could represent the patriarchal society or male dominance that often suppresses or controls this creativity.

Step 1: Understand the Poem's Context "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers" is a poem about a woman, Aunt Jennifer, who is in an oppressive marriage to Uncle. She expresses her desires and imaginations through her creative needlework, where she depicts free and fearless tigers.

Step 2: Identify the Allegory An allegory is a narrative that has a symbolic meaning. In this case, Aunt Jennifer's tigers represent her unexpressed, creative, and free spirit, which is suppressed in her real life.

Step 3: Identify Uncle's Role Uncle, in this poem, is the figure who is suppressing Aunt Jennifer's spirit. He is the reason why Aunt Jennifer lives a life of fear and oppression.

Step 4: Interpret Uncle's Representation If we read the poem as an allegory for female creativity, Uncle, who suppresses Aunt Jennifer's spirit and freedom, can be seen as a representation of the societal forces or the patriarchal society that often suppresses or controls female creativity.

So, in conclusion, Uncle represents the oppressive forces that limit female creativity.