Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for a concise comparison between a tiger in captivity (zoo) and a tiger in the wild, based on the poem "A Tiger in the Zoo."
Step 2: Key Concept - Freedom vs. Captivity:
The poem's central theme is the contrast between the two environments and the tiger's corresponding behavior and emotional state.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
A tiger in the zoo is a prisoner, confined to a small concrete cage. Its majestic nature is suppressed, and it walks with quiet rage, ignoring visitors. In contrast, a tiger in its natural habitat is a free, powerful creature. It lurks in the long grass near a water hole, hunting its prey, and terrorizing the village with its snarl, living a life of freedom and wild instinct.