Rising tiger plot summary
The Tiger Rising tells the story of 12-year-old Rob, who is trying to come to terms with the loss of his mother, who died of cancer. Unfortunately, partly because he cannot fully accept his loss and partly because his father hides his feelings, he cannot express his feelings.
The boy's life is further complicated by bullies who make fun of the strange rash on his legs. However, his life gets a little easier when he meets Sistine, a new girl at school, which he ends up joining after sharing his love of art with her. He also experiences loss, but in a different way because his father left the family while his parents were still alive.
Where is the tiger in all this?
While exploring the local woods, Rob discovers the tiger. The poor animal is kept in a cage by Beauchamp, Rob's father's boss. The tiger takes Rob's mind off his loss and introduces the animal to Sistine.
Eventually, the children realize how unhealthy it is to keep the animal tied up and make a plan to free it.
Do the children release the tiger?
Yes, but there are consequences. After the tiger is freed, the gun is fired and the poor animal dies. Rob's father is the one holding the gun and he shoots the tiger as it is about to attack Beauchamp.
This horrifies Rob and Sisty, who both react emotionally to the situation. Rob angrily lashes out at his father and bursts into tears. Strangely, the rash on his leg is disappearing.
Does the movie have some hidden meaning?
On the one hand, it is a family film about two children who become emotionally attached to an animal. From Black Stallion to Free Willy, many such films have been made.
However, while the film may be familiar to some, there are hidden meanings attached. For starters, there's the theme of captivity. Literally, the tiger was trapped in its cage. However, Rob and Sistine were also captured; Rob with pent-up emotions that prevent him from grieving properly, and Sistine with the pent-up anger she feels about her parents' separation.
Then there is the subject of freedom. Although the tiger lived a short life, it was finally freed from its cage.
The children also found freedom in their lives as the tiger's death released the difficult emotions they had bottled up inside them. Rob's father was also able to let go of his trapped emotions as he grieved with his son after the boy turned on him.
Why did Rob's rash disappear?
According to friendly Willie May, who works at the motel where Rob is staying, the rash was a physical expression of the emotions he was holding inside. After he finally released the repressed feelings that caused him both emotional and physical pain, he disappeared.
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