Poetry · Chapter
For an Indian Screen explained
A vivid narrative poem depicting a tiger's desperate climb up a cliff to escape hunters, framed as an exotic, decorative image for an Indian screen.
What happens
A vivid narrative poem depicting a tiger's desperate climb up a cliff to escape hunters, framed as an exotic, decorative image for an Indian screen. The tiger's struggle is contrasted with its aesthetic representation as a luxurious gift for a queen.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional peak occurs in the final line, "Tell them to leave you alone!..."—a raw, defiant outburst that s…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Nature and the Elements
The tiger's physical struggle against the cliff and the natural landscape is central to the poem.
- Resilience and Joy
The tiger's determined climb and survival against hunters evoke resilience, while the screen's beauty suggests a celebratory transformation.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator describes the tiger's escape and the screen's imagery.
Key passages
“Clutching at trees and clawing rocks And panting and climbing Until he reached the top”
The tiger desperately grabs trees and rocks, breathing heavily as it climbs until it reaches the summit.
Highlights the tiger's physical exertion and determination.
“A picture for an Indian screen Woven in silks of subtle sheen And broidered in yellow lace”
An image suitable for an Indian screen, crafted from shimmering silks and embroidered with yellow lace.
Transforms the violent scene into an ornate, decorative artwork.
