Examine the similarities and differences between the tiger in "A Tiger in the Zoo" and the dragon in "The Tale of Custard the Dragon".
Examine the similarities and differences between the tiger in "A Tiger in the Zoo" and the dragon in "The Tale of Custard the Dragon".
Both the tiger in 'A Tiger in the Zoo' and Custard the dragon are creatures whose true nature is hidden or suppressed, making 'appearance versus reality' the central link between the two poems. The tiger, born for the wild — stalking in shadow, snarling around houses, baring fangs at wild deer — is instead confined behind bars, pacing a cage, its ferocity reduced to a 'stripe of shadow' and 'brilliant eyes' staring 'at the brightest stars.' Leslie Norris uses this to critique how captivity strips a wild creature of its natural power and dignity, evoking sympathy and quiet protest against caging animals. Custard, in contrast, is described as a 'cowardly dragon' whose 'realio, trulio' fire-breathing looks scare no one, mocked by the household's braver-seeming pets (Ink, Blink, Mustard) — until a real pirate attacks, and Custard alone shows genuine courage, defeating the pirate while the 'brave' animals cower. Ogden Nash uses this reversal for humour and irony. The key similarity: both poems explore a gap between outward appearance and inner reality — the tiger looks caged and tame but is inwardly wild; Custard looks cowardly but is inwardly the bravest. The key difference lies in tone and purpose: Norris's poem is serious, somber free verse critiquing captivity and loss of freedom, while Nash's poem is a light-hearted, rhyming narrative ballad celebrating unexpected courage through comic irony.
Marking Scheme
- 12 marks: correct identification of the tiger's suppressed wild nature under captivity in 'A Tiger in the Zoo'.
- 22 marks: correct identification of Custard's hidden courage revealed against the pirate in 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon'.
- 31 mark: clearly stated similarity — both poems explore the gap between outward appearance and true inner nature.
- 41 mark: clearly stated difference — tone/form/purpose (serious free-verse critique of captivity vs humorous rhymed ballad celebrating hidden courage).
Hint
Focus on the shared 'appearance vs reality' theme, then contrast tone (serious critique of captivity vs humorous ironic ballad) and form (free verse vs rhymed narrative).
Quick Oral Answer
Both the tiger and Custard hide their true nature behind appearances — the tiger seems tamed but is inwardly wild, while Custard seems cowardly but proves truly brave; the tiger's poem is a serious critique of captivity, while Custard's is a humorous ballad about unexpected courage.
Analysis & Explanation
This comparative question tests the shared 'appearance vs reality' thread linking two very different First Flight poems.
Concept
- 'A Tiger in the Zoo' (Leslie Norris): free verse contrasting the tiger's wild nature with its caged, diminished present.
- 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' (Ogden Nash): rhymed comic ballad where the 'cowardly' dragon proves the only truly brave one.
Key points
- Similarity: both explore a gap between outward appearance and inner truth.
- Difference: tone/form — serious free verse critiquing captivity vs humorous rhymed ballad celebrating hidden courage.
Common mistakes
- Writing two separate summaries instead of an explicit point-by-point comparison.
- Omitting a clearly stated similarity AND difference, both of which carry dedicated marks.
Common Mistakes
- 1Summarising each poem separately without drawing an explicit comparison or contrast, which loses analytical marks even if content is accurate.
- 2Ignoring differences in tone and poetic form (serious free verse vs comic rhymed ballad), focusing only on plot content.
- 3Writing well beyond the 100-120 word limit with excessive quotation instead of concise analytical points.
Interesting Facts
Leslie Norris wrote 'A Tiger in the Zoo' after observing real caged tigers, reflecting a growing 20th-century literary concern about the ethics of zoos and animal captivity.
Ogden Nash, known for humorous light verse, wrote 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' in 1936; its playful rhyme scheme and irony have made it a favourite comic ballad in school curricula worldwide.
Both poems use animals as vehicles for exploring very human themes — freedom and identity in the tiger's case, and courage versus bravado in Custard's case.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main similarity between the tiger and Custard?
Both are creatures whose true inner nature — the tiger's wildness, Custard's courage — differs sharply from how they appear on the surface (caged/tame, and cowardly, respectively).
What is the main tonal difference between the two poems?
'A Tiger in the Zoo' is serious and critical of captivity, using free verse, while 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' is a humorous, ironic rhymed ballad celebrating hidden bravery.