Class 9th Eng. Poem -8 On Killing A Tree 🌴 NCERT/CBSE Based Question and answer, Theme Message Literary devices

Poem-8

On Killing a Tree by -Gieve Patel

Questions and answers

Q1. Can a "simple jab of the knife" kill a tree? Why not?

Ans. A simple jab of the knife can't kill a tree as it only causes the oozing of sap. The bark, however, heals and regenerates with the help of the sap.

Q2. How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.

Ans. The tree has grown gradually to its full size by consuming the earth. It has risen out of the earth by feeding upon its crust. It has also absorbed the sunlight, air and water for years.

Q3. What is the meaning of 'bleeding bark'? What makes it bleed?

Ans. The 'bleeding bark' means the sap oozing out of the bark of the tree caused by heavy blows. Here, the sap oozing out of the bark has been compared to the blood of a living creature. Heavy blows make it bleed.

Q4. The poet says 'No' in the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by this?

Ans. By using 'No', the poet to emphasises that the tree can't be killed by hacking or chopping. It has to be destroyed completely.

Q5. What is the meaning of 'anchoring earth' and 'earth cave'?

Ans. Just like a ship anchored in the sea stays in its place, the earth serves as an anchor to the tree as it holds the root of the tree and provides support to keep the tree bound. The earth serves as a cave to a tree because the root of the tree remains hidden deep under the earth. Sunlight cannot reach the depth of the earth and it is dark as a cave. Also when the root is pulled out, a cave-like hollow is created.

Q6. What does the poet mean by 'the strength of the tree exposed"?

Ans. The strength of the tree lies in its root. When the root of the tree is pulled out, it is exposed to the sun and air. Once the root has been scorched and choked, the tree dies.

Q7. What finally kills the tree?

Ans. To kill a tree, its root needs to be uprooted completely. It should then be left to wither in the sun and air. Only then can a tree be considered completely dead.

Q8. How does the tree consume the earth?

Ans. The tree consumes the earth by taking its nutrients from the soil through its root. The root sucks and absorbs the nutrients from the earth and feeds the tree,

Q9. What is meant by 'years of sunlight, air and water'?

Ans. Years of sunlight, air and water means that the tree feeds upon the earth's crust and absorbs sunlight, air and water for years to grow into its full size.

Q10. Why has the tree's 'hide' been called leprous?

Ans. Leprosy is a disease in human beings where the skin becomes rough and discoloured. Here, bark of the tree is regarded as leprous because of its uneven surface and colour. The poet compares the discoloured skin of a person suffering from leprosy to the discoloured bark of the tree.

Q11. What is the role of hacking and chopping in killing a tree?

Ans. Hacking and chopping wound the trunk of the tree and cause the sap to ooze out of the trunk. However, the pain caused by these heavy blows is not enough to kill the tree.

Q12.. How will the curled green twigs and miniature boughs rise?

Ans. Curled green twigs and miniature boughs will rise from the stump of the tree, which is close to the ground as the tree has the healing power to regenerate itself as long as its root is not harmed.

Q13. Describe the growth and expansion of a tree.

Ans. The growth and expansion of a tree is gradual. Firstly, the seed is sown into the earth. It starts to sprout and slowly takes nutrients from the earth. It feeds on the earth's crust and after years of absorbing sunlight, air and water, the tree grows into its full size.

Q14. Describe the healing power of a tree that doesn't allow it to die so soon.

Ans. It takes much time and effort to kill a tree. Nature gifts every tree with a regeneration capability that doesn't allow it to die easily. If we cut the bark with a knife, the bleeding bark of the tree will heal. Then, curled green twigs and miniature boughs will rise from the stump of the tree and grow into the former size if the boughs are left unchecked.

Q1.Discuss the appropriateness of the title 'On Killing a Tree'.

The title of the poem 'On Killing a Tree' is ironic. The poem seems to be a satire on killing a tree. It tells that it takes a lot of time and effort to destroy a tree. Trees have the healing power to regenerate and grow again to its former size. Trees have extremely resilient spirit and do not bow down easily. So, the title is apt.

Q2.Discuss the theme of the poem 'On Killing a Tree'.

The poem 'On Killing a Tree' exposes man's cruelty in cutting down trees. On the surface, the poem states the process of killing a tree but actually

Q3.Write The Message of Poem. On Killing a Tree

One should not cut trees because they are just like humans. Moreover, the author tries to explain that killing the trees is just like killing humans.trees are just living beings like humans and should not be killed recklessly

P-8 On Killing A Tree

https://englishscholarhubclgautam.blogspot.com/2024/03/class-9th-eng-poem-8-on-killing-tree.html

Poem-6 No Men are Foreign

https://englishscholarhubclgautam.blogspot.com/2024/03/class-9th-eng-poem-6-no-men-are.html

Poem-5 The Legend Of The Northland

http://englishscholarhubclgautam.blogspot.com/2024/03/class-9th-eng-poem-5-legend-of.html

Poem-4 The lake isle of INNISFREE

https://englishscholarhubclgautam.blogspot.com/2024/03/class-9th-eng-poem-4-lake-isle-of.html

Poem2. Wind

https://sportscl7712.blogspot.com/2024/03/class-9th-eng-poem-2-windncertcbse.html

poem-1 The Road. Not Taken

https://englishscholarhubclgautam.blogspot.com/2024/03/class-9th-eng-beehive-poem-1-by-robert.html