Tears of a Tiger

The image of a crying tiger is highly paradoxical, and as such, it is an apt depiction of the dichotomy between the calm exterior that Andy strives to project and the inner turmoil that slowly but surely overwhelms him. To the outside world, Andy tries to convey the sense that he is coping with his many issues and has everything together; the façade even seems to be effective enough to fool his coach, who compliments him on supporting his teammates. Ironically, however, it is the illustration of young Monty that most accurately captures the true nature of Andy’s hidden distress, for the image of a tiger with tears emphasizes the hints of deep emotion that escape even the most tightly crafted masks. Thus, the tiger represents an outward shell of strength that nonetheless teeters on the edge of collapse, if only people would know enough to interpret the finer details of the picture. It is also significant that Andy tells Monty that it is acceptable for tigers to cry, for in this statement, he attempts to provide himself with the reassurance that others have so far failed to give him.