On Killing a Tree Questions and Answers
01 Who is the author of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’?
ns Gieve Patel, an Indian, writing poetry in English, is the author of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’.
Q.2 About what matter the poem ‘On Killing a tree ?
Ans The poem is about destroying a tree.
Q.3 What quality makes the poem easy to read?
Ans The simple, coversational quality makes the poem easy to read.
Q.4 Quote the first line and say what does it mean?
Ans The first line ‘It takes much time to kill a tree’ means that the destruction of a tree is not a simple task.
Q.5 In what sense is the above first line written ?
Ans This is written in a sense of irony.
Q.6 “Not a simple jab of the knife will do it.” – What cannot be done?
Ans No killing of a tree can be done.
Q.7 What is the crust of the earth?
Ans ‘Crust’ is the top layer of the earth.
8 *Consuming the earth….”What is consuming and why?
Ans The tree is slowly consuming the earth for its own nourishment.
Q9 What is meant by leprous hide of the tree?
Ans This means the rough, bare and spotted barks of the tree.
Q.10 Sprouting leaves mean…
Ans It means the new fresh emerging leaves.
Q11 ‘So hack and chop’-What does the expression mean?
This means striking hard and cutting a tree into Ans pieces.
Q.12 “But this alone won’t do it.”-What does the poet mean here?
Ans The poet means here that a tree cannot be destroyed by the mere effort to hack and chop it.
Q.13 “The bleeding bark will heal”-What does the poet mean here?
Ans A hard stroke may bring out some juicy fluid from the tree, but this will heal soon naturally.
Q.14 Wherefrom will the curled green twigs rise?
Ans The curled green twigs will rise from close to the ground.
Q.15What are Miniature boughs?
Ans Miniature boughs are the very types boughs, small in nature.
16..will expand again” – Which will expand again and when?
Ans Miniature boughs will expand and get back their original shapes and sizes, if these are not stopped or restrained.
Q.17’No,’-What is ‘no’?
Ans ‘No’, here is the rejection of any easy means for the destruction of a tree.
Q.18 What is to be done to the root of a tree?
Ans The root of the tree is to be pulled out entirely from the deep earth.
Q.19 What is meant by the term ‘the anchoring earth’?
Ans This refers to the root of the tree which goes deep inside the earth, securing therby protection to it.
Q.20 “It is to be roped, tied,. “-Which is to be roped and tied?
Ans The tree is to be tied tightly with a rope.
Q.21 ……pulled out entirely”-What is to be pulled out entirely and how?
Ans The tree, with its root deep inside the earth, is to be pulled out entirely by tying tightly with a rope.
0.22What is the nature of the source of the tree? Or, What is most sensitive part of the tree ?
ns The source of the tree is its root, which is the most sensitive part and again is white and wet in nature.
Q.23 Where does the strength of the tree lie?
Ans The strength of the tree lies in its root, which is its preserver and protector.
Q.24 What is ‘earth-cave’?
Ans When a tree is entirely pulled out with its root, a deep opening is caused on the earth, known as the earth-cave.
Q.25 “And then it is done.”— What is done ?
ns This is the completion of the destruction of a tree, as it is pulled out, with its root out of the deep earth.
Q.26 What does the poet Gieve Patel want to express in the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’?
Ans In his poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ the poet Gieve Patel has shown how man is mercilessly destroying the environment by killing trees.
Q.27 How long does it take to kill a tree?
Ans It takes a lot of time and effort to kill a tree.
O. 28
How has the tree grown up?
ns A tree grows up by getting nutrients from the carth.
Q.29 What does a tree absorb to grow up?
Ans To grow up properly a tree absorbs sunlight, air and water.
Q.30 When will the strength of the tree be exposed?
Ans The strength of the tree will be exposed at the time of its being roped, tied and pulled out entirely.
Q.31 Which part of a tree is hidden?
Ans The root of the tree, the wet white part, is hidden inside the earth for years.
Q.32 Which will expand again?
Ans From the miniature boughs a full grown tree will again expand.
Q.33 What is to be done to destroy the tree?
Ans The roots of the tree should be pulled out completely from the earth to destroy the tree.
Q.34 How should be the tree pulled out?
Ans The tree should be roped, tied and then it is to be pulled out entirely from the earth.
Q.35 What is done ultimately?
Ans Killing of a tree is done ultimately.
Q36 What should be done to resist the growth of the tree?
Ans To resist the growth of the tree the miniature boughs of the tree are to be checked.
Q.37 In the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ what does the advise?
Ans In the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ the poet advises that we, human beings are too inhuman to kill a tree mercilessly.
Q.38 What kind of change is suggested by ‘bleeding bark’ and ‘green twigs’?
Ans Blood represents death and green indicates the springing life and so the phrase from the ‘bleeding bark’ to ‘green twigs’ symbolizes the change from death to life.
Q.39 What is the source of a tree?
Ans The root of a tree is the source of it-its most sensitive part.
Q.40 What is the secret of the strength of the tree?
Ans The secret of the strength of the tree is its roots hidden in the earth for years together.
Q.41 How is the source of the tree ?
Ans The source of the tree i.e., its root hidden in the earth for years is white and wet.
Q.42 “And out of its leprous hide Sprouting leaves”— Where does irony lie in it?
Ans Leprosy usually eats away the body but here the leprous hide is depicted as a source of growth.
Q.43 “And then it is done.”-What is ‘it’? When is it done?
Ans Here ‘it’ refers to the killing of a tree. When the root of the tree is left in the sun and air after it has been pulled out of the earth’s cave the tree is ultimately killed.
Q.44 How does the roots look like when they are pulled out?
Ans When the roots are pulled out they look white and wet.
Q.45 “Feeding upon its crust”- What does a tree feed?
Ans A tree feeds sunlight, air and water
Q.46 On what tone does the poem end?
Ans The poem ends in a tragic tone.
Q47 How is the killing of a tree described in the poem?
ns In the poem the killing of a tree has been considered as a cruel in human art.
Q 48 “The bleeding bark will heal”-How does a bleeding bark heal up?
Ans When curled green twigs rise from the tree trunk that is close to the ground, a bleeding bark heals up.
Q. 49 “Out of the anchoring earth”—What is meant here?
Ans As the boat is anchored in the riverbed, so also a tree anchors its roots in the earth.
Q.50 “Not so much pain will do it…” – What task does the word ‘it’ refer to ?
Ans The word ‘it’ refers to the task of killing or uprooting of a tree.
Q.51 What does the poet mean by ‘It takes much time to kill a tree’?
Ans By the expression ‘It takes much time to kill a tree’, the poet means to say that killing a tree is not a simple or easy task. The several steps are to be followed to kill a tree completely.
Q.52 Why can’t a simple jab of the knife kill a tree ?
Ans It is commonly thought that a single jab of a knife
is enough to kill a tree. But it is not true. A simple jab of the knife is not enough to kill a tree because it has grown by consuming nutrients from the earth and it is deep-rooted.
Q.53 In Gleve Patel’s poem On Killig a Tree’, what has the tree consumed and absorbed?
Ans In Gieve Patel’s poem ‘On Killing a Tree’, the tree has consumed the nutrients from the earth and absorbed sunlight, air and water for years.
Q.54 What does the poet mean by the expression ‘Not so much pain will do it’?
Ans By the expression ‘Not so much pain will do it’, the poet means to say that hacking and chopping can cause much pain to the tree but it will not be much enough for its death.
55.How does a tree grow?
Ans According to the poet, a tree grows slowly by consuming the nutrients from under the earth and absorbing sunlight, air and water for years.
Q.56 What would happen if the development of miniature boughs of a chopped tree is not checked?
Ans If the development of miniature boughs of a
chopped tree is not controlled, they will expand into a full grown tree of former size.
Q.57 ‘No. The root is to be pulled out.’-What does the word ‘No’ suggested here?
Ans Here the word ‘No’ suggests that all the violent and cruel attempts of jabbing, hacking and chopping will not be able to kill a tree completely.
Q58 What does the poet indicate by the expression ‘anchoring earth’?
Ans An anchor keeps a boat or a ship firmly in one place in the water. So also is the case with the root of a tree. It holds the tree firmly fixed inside the eartn.
Q.59 What steps are taken for cpmplete annihilation (destruction) of a tree after it is uprooted?
Ans For the complete killing of a tree different steps are taken after uprooting it. They are scorching and choking in the sun, browning, hardening, twisting and withering.
Q.60 What does the plant symbolize?
Ans In Gieve Patel’s poem ‘On Killing a Tree’, the tree is a powerful symbol of life and its struggle as well as of nature that nourishes human civilization.
Q.61 What human activity is really ironical as indicated in the poem?
Ans The fact that man destroys nature that nourishes human civilization is really ironical.
Q.62 What scorch and choke the tree after it is pulled out ?
Ans The sun and air scorch and choke the tree after it is pulled out.
Q.63 What does the phrase ‘earth cave’ refer to?
Ans The phrase ‘earth cave’ refers to a deep opening caused by the pulling out of the tree.
Q.64 From where would the curled green twigs rise?
Ans The curled green twigs would rise from close to the ground.
MARKS-6
Q.1 What message does the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ convey-Discuss.
Ans Gieve Patel’s poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ presents a touching account of a long and hard process, undertaken by human beings for the absolute extinction of a tree. That tree has lived long, gathering its force and strength, from the bosom of this resourceful earth. Of course, it stands strongly for long years, giving aids and pleasure to a large number of human beings. It does them no harin.
Yet, human greed and selfish passion for growth leads man to launch hard and continuous processes to clear this earth of trees. This is a reckless cruel act. The poet calls this ‘killing’ — ‘the killing of trees.’ Trees are removed thoroughly with their deep roots. What is left behind is a rugged dry cave on this green beautiful earth. The poem sternly strikes against this thoughtless, suicidal cruelty of man. When will this ruthless deforestation be stopped and the mother earth spared from the selfish blows of her own children? [159 words ]
Q.2 Write a critical note on the title of the poem,’ ‘On Killing a Tree’?
Or, The title ‘On Killing a Tree’ appears somewhat rude. Do you agree? Discuss, in this connection how far is this title proper and appropriate.
Or, Justify the title of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’.
Ans ‘On Killing a Tree’ as a title, no doubt, is a meaningful one. It indicates the process of the killing of a tree by human efforts. The poem actually speaks of such a process. It lays down how far this is long, tiresome and intricate to complete and attain. Of course, the poem ends with the success of this hard, continuous and cumbrous.
That is to say that the killing of the tree is completed thereafter.
“And then it is done.”
There seems however, a misnomer in the use of the word ‘killing’. This word ‘killing’ may be safely used in the case of a man or any beast or bird. “To kill’ is hard to hear. The use of the word ‘destruction’ is definitely more sensible or appropriate.
Has then the poet deliberately used a wrong word? Definitely ‘not’. The poet has a distinct purpose. The word ‘kill’ implies a sort of cruelty. The human effort of destroying the wood is a bitter act of human cruelty. The title, ironically used, is deeply meaningful. [176 words]
Q.3 Bring out the theme of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’. Or, Give the central idea of the poem, On Kiling a Tree’.
Ans Gieve Patel’s poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ narrates how a tree is totally destroyed. To put a tree to an end is no simple process. It requires a good deal of time and hard and persistent human efforts. The tree rises strongly through the depth of the earth and is able to well withstand jabs, blows and strokes. It is only after a laborious effort this tree is uprooted entirely with its root in the deep-delved earth. The tree is thus removed, with a big opening-a cave-on the earth.
The poet describes figuratively the whole process as the killing of a tree by its own beneficiary man.
[109 words ]
Q4 “It takes much time to kill a tree.” – Bring out the sense of this line.
Ans The poet here speaks of the process of the destruction of a tree. This is no easy task and requires both time and labour, long and hard.
After all, the tree has grown slowly and steadily from the depth of earth. It has consumed diverse natural resources of this earth. Sunlight, air and water have all gone to feed and add to its growth. As a result, the tree had stolidly grown up to withstand the scattered attack to kill it by man.
Of course, human efforts are tireless and continuous. So the success of these efforts comes but only after the tree is pulled out entirely, with its root from the deep delved earth. [115 words ]
Q.5 “It has grown”-How has the tree grown? Or, Describe the growth of the tree as given in the
Ans It is difficult to trace how and when, a tree has come to exist and grow. Somehow or other, it started to grow from its seedling raised from a seed. This growth is slow and silent, but steady and continuous. The tree has grown up consuming the various resources of this earth. Bright sunlight, free air and fresh water combine together to help this growth. Its root thickens, branches grow up and extend grown, and green leaves begin to sprout and spread, too.
Whatever was originally miniature expands, grows big and strong. The inner strength of the tree, lying in its root inside the earth, gets stronger and broader. The tree, full stands strong and resists the effort to uproot it. [121 words]
Q.6 ‘No,’-About what is this said? Discuss.
Or,
How is the life of a tree to be finally put to an end?
Or, How does its resistance fail?
Ans In the poem On Killing a Tree, Gieve Patel has asserted that a tree cannot be easily and swiftly put to an end. Mere jabs, hacks, chops and hard strokes will ultimately be of no avail After all, it is deeply rooted inside the earth and fed by diverse natural elements. Hence, to ‘kill’ (to use the poet’s term) the tree, it is to be entirely uprooted from its base-the earth. So the poet says ‘No,’-no easy means for killing the tree.
The process of uprooting is also related by the poet. The tree is to be tied tightly by some rope. Then it is to be pulled out forcefully or snapped out completely. The tree is, thus, to be deprived of its source and strength. It lies dead, leaving a big hole on earth or what is called earth-cave. [138 words ]
Q7 “And then it is done. “What is done? What does the poet mean by saying ‘then’? [4+2]
Or, Trace precisely what measures are followed after the tree is uprooted entirely.
ns Gieve Patel’s On Killing a Tree is a poem, written in an ironic tone about the human acts of cruelty to destroy a tree. Man’s persistent and tireless efforts ultimately succeed. The tree is roped tightly and pulled forcefully out of its bed deep inside the earth with its root. It is laid down in its entire, leaving a large gaping Earth-cave’.
Thereafter start other human measures for the total annihilation of the tree. It is left to scorching sunlight and rough wind. It is turned brown and hardened in heat and air. This is further withered and twisted to snatch its last oozing. And only then the proud man has his cruel triumph and joy. [115 words ]
Q.8 Bring out the ironical aspect of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’. Or, In what way the poem ‘On Killing a Tree”, establishes irony?
Ans The poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ composed by Gieve Patel initially presents a plain situation.
This is the human endeavour for deforestation . The poem starts with a plain statement
‘It takes much time to kill a tree,’
The very process of the destruction of a tree seems to suggest that deforestation (the cutting of the wood) is a holy task zealously undertaken. But the question here is— ‘Is this a holy task?’ ‘Perhaps, seldom any person will agree. In fact, the poet is ironical enough here. He clearly brings out how greedy, selfish men are engaged in the act of deforestation in a ceremonious way. The very title ‘On Killing a Tree’ confirms the poet’s ironical attitude to human effort to destroy trees.
The poet, however, indirectly hints at the utter wrong and the huge waste man is thereby committing. What he tries persistently to do is suicidal and idiotic. Here comes the irony of Patel’s poem. (‘Irony’ according to the O.E.D, is the expression of meaning through the use of the language which normally means the opposite). (152 words ]
Q.9 Write briefly a critical assessment of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’.
Ans Gieve Patel’s poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ deals with a serious theme of modern times. This is deforestation. In his unchecked craze for extending his civilization, human beings recklessly indulge in cutting and destroying trees. This is expressed by the poet in the very title On Killing a Tree.
The poet has used the term to expose how foolishly and cruelly man goes for deforestation in a ceremonious way. Of course, his sarcastic views at this human attitude is subtly borne out.
Here, the poem has a message-atwo-fold message of man’s senseless cruelty and inhumanity on a tree and the preservation and future check of natural imbalance by stopping this.
The poem is to be praised for the picturesque details given by the poet about human enterprise and efforts to kill a tree. Even the processes, after the total uprooting of the tree, is clearly and precisely shown in subsequent lines
Then the matter Of scorching and choking In sun and air, Browning, hardening, Twisting, withering, And then it is done.
The poem has four stanzas – (i) two of nine lines; (ii) one of eleven lines and (iii) one of six lines only. The is written in free verse. poem
On Killing a Tree
Then the matter Of scorching and choking In sun and air,
Browning, hardening, Twisting, withering, And then it is done.
Q.10 Give the substance of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’.
Ans According to the poet, it is no easy task to cut a tree completely. After all, this has grown, slowly and steadily, from earth, consuming all natural resources. Hard efforts and long hours are required to destroy the same. Different natural elements has helped and strengthened its growth. The repeated blows from a wood-cutter will never be able to destroy the tree.
Hence, what is needed in the matter is to root out the tree altogether from its earthly bed. Its source of strength is earth. It is to be tied tightly by some strong rope and pulled out earth with all its roots. A big cave on earth will of course, be formed thereby. Finally, the uprooted tree is to be burnt, turned brown, hardened, twisted and withered. This is how the act of killing a tree can be safely concluded. [143 words)
Q.11…Has the poem any message?
Ans The poem relates how a tree is uprooted and destroyed after a long and hard process.
Of course, the poem has a message-a two-fold message. The first one is direct-man’s senseless cruelty and inhumanity on a tree that has a life force from earth. This strikes at yet exposed human savagery. The other one is indirect. This is afforestation for human preservation and future check of natural imbalance This message is well conveyed without any open attack. The poet is thoroughly ironical here.
Q12 pulled out entirely and how? What does the poet here suggest ironically?
easy task Ans This is said by Gieve Patel in his poem, On Killing a Tree about the way of the complete destruction of a tree. After all, it is put an end to a tree. The tree is deeply rooted inside the earth and fed and strengthened by different natural elements. Hence, it is to be entirely uprooted from its base by tightly enclosing it with rope and pulling out with all force.
The very process of the destruction of a tree seems to suggest that deforestation (the cutting of the wood) is a holy task zealously undertaken. But the question here is—‘Is this a holy task?’ ‘Perhaps, seldom any person will agree. In fact, the poet is ironical enough here. He clearly brings out how greedy, selfish men are engaged in the act of deforestation in a ceremonious way. The very title ‘On Killing a Tree’ cofirms the poet’s ironical attitude to those who keep themselves meticulously (engaged in this deed. (160 words)
013 “It has grown slowly, consuming the earth, ” – What has grown? How is the earth consumed slowly? [1+5] 6
ns The tree has grown slowly and steadily out of the earth.
It is difficult to trace how and when, a tree has come to exist and grow. Somehow or other, it started to grow from its seedling raised from a seed. This growth is slow and silent, but steady and continuous. The tree has grown up consuming the various resources of this earth. Bright sunlight, free air and fresh water combine together to help this growth. Its root thickens, branches grow up and extend and green leaves begin to sprout and spread, too.
Whatever was originally miniature expands, grows big and strong. The inner strength of the tree, lying in its root inside the earth, gets stronger and broader. The tree, full grown, stands strong and stares. It is hard to overcome such a tree. [134 words ]
Q.14 “And out of its leprous hide Sprouting leaves.”-What does the expression ‘leprous hide’ refer to? What does the leprous hide bear? [2+4=6] Or, What grows from ‘leprous hide’? What does the expression signify? Bring out irony suggested here. [2+1+3=6]
Ans The expression “leprous hide’ refers to the bark of the tree which looks like the skin of a leper. It is brown, dry and rough.
Leaves grow from the ‘leprous hide’ i.e., the bark of the tree.
Here the poet considers the tree as a man, suffering from leprosy by describing its bark as leprous’.
The expression is ironical. Leprosy usually eats away the body and prevents normal growth. But here, leprous hide is the source of growth. It bears the twigs that produces food. It is not a symbol of decay rather of growing life.
15 How does the tree grow to its full size? List the words that are used to depict the life and activity of a tree. Why is much time necessary to kill a tree? [2+2+2=6]
Ans Since the very birth, the tree consumes nutrients from under the earth very slowly. It absorbs sunlight, air and water to grow to its full form.
The words and phrases used to depict the life and activity of a tree are ‘consuming the earth’, ‘rising out of it’, ‘feeding upon its crust’, ‘absorbing years of sunlight, air, water’ and ‘sprouting leaves’.
The tree supports itself with its deep roots. So it is not easy to kill a tree. To kill a tree its roots must be totally pulled out. It has to be scorched and choked in the sun and air so that it becomes brown, hard, twisted and dry. Only then a tree dies. [115 words ]
Q16 Or, Describe in detail the growth of a tree as described in the first stanza of the poem ‘On killing a Tree’.
Ans In the first stanza of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ the poet Gieve Patel describes the growth of tree in a lucid language. According to the poet a tree grows slowly by consuming the nutrients from the earth. The tree takes essential nutrients from the earth’s upper crust and prepares its food. It also absorbs sunlight, air and water to produce food. This food reaches all parts of the tree resulting its proper growth. Thus, taking in nutrients from the earth and the atmosphere, the tree grows in a gradual process. The poet describes the growth of a tree to suggest its vivacity. [104 words ]
Q.17 What is a symbol? What does the tree symbolize in the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’? [1+5=6]
Ans A symbol is something that represents or suggests an idea, image, belief or action.
In his poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ Gieve Patel visualizes the tree as a powerful symbol of growth, struggle and death. The tree symbolises nature and its destruction shows man’s folly because in destroying a tree man destroys himself. The tree is a true friend of mankind. But, in turn, man kills the tree. A simple jab of the knife or mere an act of hacking and chopping can’t kill a tree. It only inflicts pain. Its bleeding bark will heal, bear new leaves and small boughs bring new hope. The root of the tree stands for firmness, security and strength. It is sensitive. The killing of the tree by uprooting it and exposing it to the sun shows man’s insensitivity and cruelty that put human civilization under serious threat. (143 words)
Q. 18 “So hack and chop But this alone won’t do it.”-What does ‘it’ stand for? Why won’t hacking and chopping do ‘it’? [1+5=6]
Ans Here ‘it’ refers to the killing of a tree.
Hacking and chopping can’t destroy a tree completely. They may cause pain for the time being and tell upon the tree. But they would not be able to destroy a tree completely because ‘bleeding bark’ of a tree will heal itself.
Then fresh twigs are sure to come out from it and develop into small branches. These fresh twigs that grow near the ground may develop to their former size and shape. The poet wants to mean that killing a tree is a difficult task because it has also life which has been nourished for years. [105 words /
19 .”The source, white and wet, The most sensitive, hidden For years inside the earth. -What does the word ‘source’ refer to here? How does the poet describe the root and its function? [1+5=6)
Ans The word ‘source’ here refers to the root of the tree.
The poet has vividly described the root of a tree. In the observation of the root the poet’s imagination and his scientific outlook are mingled together. He considers the root to be the anchor of the tree. It makes a tree stand firmly on the ground as the anchor of a ship stands on the sea-bed causing the ship stand still. The root is actually the strength of the tree. It is the source of life of a tree.
This life- supporting source is white and wet. It is white because it has never been exposed to sunlight but is hidden inside the earth for years. It is wet because it is full of water and other nutrients procured from the soil. The poet calls the root ‘the most sensitive’, thereby giving human quality to the tree. The tree can feel pain and shock just like a human being. [158 words)
Q.20 What is personification? How does the poet personify the tree in the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’? [2+4=6]
Ans Personification is a figure of speech that gives human qualities to Nature or an inanimate (lifeless) object.
In his poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ the poet personifies a tree (Nature). A tree consumes the earth and feeds upon its crust. It absorbs sunlight, air and water for years and grows slowly. The poet describes the bark as ‘leprous hide’. This also refers to the affected skin of a man who suffers from leprosy. The tree, like a man, is sensitive to pains and sufferings when it is hacked and chopped. It has ‘bleeding bark’ which heals up naturally. All these images personify a tree. [102 words)
[6] Q.21 How does the poet describe the killing of a tree in his poem ‘On Killing a Tree’? Or, Why does it take much time to kill a tree ? How is the tree finally killed ? [3 + 3 =6]
Ans In his poem ‘On Killing a Tree’, the poet gives a vivid description of how a tree is completely destroyed. To kill a tree is a difficult task. It takes much time and tremendous effort. It is not so easy task because the tree has grown slowly consuming the earth’s nutrients and absorbing sunlight, air and water for years. The tree is firmly fixed with its roots anchored in the earth.
After hacking and chopping new twigs sprout and grow to former size and shape. So, in order to kill a tree it must be uprooted. After uprooting is done, the root has to be exposed to sunlight and air so that it is scorched, choked, hardened, twisted and finally is withered. This is, according to the poet, the complete process of killing a tree. (134 words ]
Q.22 What is the justification of using the word ‘killing’?
Ans In the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’, Gieve Patel sarcastically establishes an evil and ugly creature like a tree deserves to be killed. However, simply cuts and bruises will not kill it. Each hacking and chopping will not help. The tree has grown into a huge thing by ‘consuming the earth’. So hacking and chopping will not kill a tree. From its stumps will rise new branches like curled monster children.
If not cut again, they will into another fresh monster. Its deep roots will enable it to recoup from such attacks.
By emphasizing the difficulty in cutting down a tree, Gieve Patel casts a sardonic look on the cutting down an important part of Nature. He suggests that Nature foretells the annihilation of a living creature that takes hundreds of years to propagate and grow.
0 23 Give after Gieve Patel a note on the power and strength of a tree to withstand man’s cruelty. Or, How does a tree offer resistance to its destruction ?
Ans Poet Gieve Patel is of the opinion that a simple jab of a knife cannot destroy a tree. A woodcutter may hack and chop it with repeated blows. Still it will not die. The tree seems to suffer pain. Its bark bleeds. But the wound heals up naturally. It withstands such chopping and hacking since it has its roots deep entrenched inside the earth. The part of the tree which is close to the ground produces fresh twigs and new branches that develop to the former shape and size over a period of time. The only way to kill a tree is to uproot it completely, wither it through browning, hardening, twisting and choking. The tree struggles hard to survive but it ultimately gives into man’s cruelty. [126 words ]
Q.24 How does the tree heal itself ?
[6]
Ans Mother Nature prevents the killing of a tree because it deserves to live on without any hindrances. So the tree is equipped with a power to heal itself. One may try to kill a tree by poking and cutting but in vain. The bark of the tree gives off the sap which helps new branches and twigs to rise again from its stumps. If not cut again, they will grow into a big tree. Thus the sprouts from the wounded bark keeps its life and renews the cycle of the tree. Of course, that will take many years of care by Nature to bring another tree to its glory. A human being can recover from injuries. Similarly, a tree can recoup from attacks by the axe. [126 words)
25.”No, The root is to be pulled out.”-What does the word ‘No’ suggest? What are the steps used by men to completely destroy a tree ? [2+4=6]
Ans Here the word ‘No’ suggests that only hacking and chopping cannot kill a tree. It can only cause pain and makes the bark bleed. But its bleeding bark will heal itself. The tree overcomes hacking and chopping by sprouting small green twigs close to the ground with the help of its roots. This ‘No’ emphasises the idea that a tree cannot be killed easily.
In order to kill a tree completely the root of the tree is to be destroyed. So the root is pulled out entirely from the earth. As a result, it is snapped totally from its support and the roots are exposed to the scorching sunlight. Finally, the tree passes through various processes of scorching, choking, browning, hardening, twisting and withering. In this manner, a tree is competely destroyed/killed ultimately. [132 words]
26 The source, white and wet, The most sensitive, hidden For years inside the earth.” – What does the word ‘source’ refer to here? How does the poet describe the root and its function ? [1+5 =6]
Ans In the poem, ‘On Killing a Tree’ by Gieve Patel, the word ‘source’ refers to the root of the tree.
The poet has vividly described the root. His scientific outlook and poetic imagination are mingled in his observation of the root. He considers the root to be the anchor of the tree that stands firmly on the ground. The root is actually the support of the tree. It is the source of life and vitality of a tree. This life-supporting source is white and wet. It is white because it has ever been exposed to sunlight but is hidden inside the earth. It is wet because it is full of water and other nutrients. The poet calls the root the ‘most sensitive’. By calling so the poet has attached the human qualities to the trees. (133 words)
Q.27 Consider the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ as a telling commentary on one of the major environmental issues of the day.
Ans Gieve Patel’s poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ unfolds the poet’s sympathy for trees. The poem presents a vivid description of man’s cruelty to nature. In the poem the
tree symbolises nature that provides nourishment for human beings. The tree is a generous and benevolent friend of human beings. However, modern man, out of utter selfishness, destroys nature and its very spirit.
Man kills a tree by uprooting it completely and exposing it to scorching sunlight. The poem highlights man’s indifference to trees. The poet’s sympathy for trees comes out from his deep concern for nature and environment. In all, the poem becomes a moving commentary on one of the major environmental issues of the day. [115 words)
28 Why does the poet describe the killing of a tree in such vivid detail? Or, Write a note on the poet’s attitude to trees as revealed in his poem ‘On Killing aTree.
Ans The poet Gieve Patel is very anxious about the environment. In the poem, ‘On Killing a Tree, he considers trees as living beings. He observes that man’s selfishness and greed bring complete destruction to trees. So he raises his voice against reckless killing of trees. The images of violence that the poet uses in the poem show the poet’s genuine love for trees. Words and expressions such as a simple jab of the knife’, ‘hack and chop’, ‘pain’, ‘bleeding bark’, ‘most sensitive’, highlight the poet’s heartfelt sympathy for trees. As a sensitive poet Gieve Patel describes the killing of a tree in such a vivid manner as to evoke our sympathy for trees. [113 words ]
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