Class - IX [Beehive] Unit - 7: On Killing a Tree by Gieve Patel

Class IX [Beehive] Unit - 7: On Killing a Tree by Gieve Patel

Glossary

1.  jab poke roughly or quickly, especially with something sharp or pointed
2. crust:  a hardened layer, coating, or deposit on the surface of something soft
3. leprous: relating to a skin disease caused by infection, where the skin appears scaly
4. hide: a thick, strong skin used to conceal oneself
5.hack: cut with rough or heavy blows
6.chop: cut (something) into pieces with repeated sharp blows of an axe or knife
7. miniature: very small of its kind
8. boughs: a main branch of a tree
9. anchoring:  provide with a firm basis or foundation
10. snapped: break suddenly and completely, typically with a sharp cracking sound
11. scorching:  very hot, blazing
12. choking:  prevent (a plant) from growing by depriving it of light, air, or nourishment
13.withering: become dry and wrinkled

Overview of the poem: The poet emphasizes the idea that trees are living beings, drawing a comparison between trees and humans to stress that cutting down trees is akin to taking a human life. A tree doesn’t die simply from being cut; it can regenerate from the point of injury. For a tree to truly be destroyed, it must be uprooted.

Summary of the Poem: "On Killing a Tree" is a poignant poem that urges the reader not to harm trees, comparing the act of cutting a tree to "killing" a human being. The poet explains that a plant absorbs sunlight, water, air, and nutrients from the soil to grow into a large tree, developing a sturdy trunk and abundant leaves.

Simply cutting the tree’s trunk does not kill it. When a tree is cut, sap flows out, much like blood from a wounded person. As the wound heals, new branches and leaves sprout, and the tree continues to grow.

To truly destroy a tree, it must be uprooted. The tree's roots, which are white and moist from the earth’s moisture, are hidden deep in the ground. These roots are the most vulnerable part of the tree, as they anchor it to the soil. To kill the tree, these roots must be severed.

Once the roots are removed, the tree begins to die. It shrivels and dries under the influence of heat and wind, twists and hardens, and eventually perishes.

Poem Analysis

Central Idea: The poem highlights the destructive act of cutting a tree and emphasizes that it is not just a physical injury but a gradual, violent process that leads to the tree's eventual death. It underscores the life force of trees and their resilience. The poem does not support deforestation and describes human cruelty.

Themes:

1. Destruction of Nature: The poem discusses the irreversible harm done to trees when they are cut.

2. Life and Growth: The growth process of trees from saplings to mighty trees is depicted.

3. Violence of Killing: The poet equates cutting a tree to the brutal killing of a living being.

4. Resilience and Regeneration: A tree's ability to regrow and heal unless its roots are destroyed.

Message: Trees, like humans, are living beings deserving of respect and should not be destroyed recklessly. True destruction comes only when the roots are severed.

Underlying Message: Human actions towards nature must be thoughtful and considerate, as the destruction of trees is a form of violence against life itself.

Poetic Devices in the Poem

1. No rhyme scheme is there in the poem. It is written in free verse. There is no rhyme or rhythm.

2. Enjambment: When one sentence continues into two or more lines.
Not a simple jab of the knife
Will do it. It has grown
Slowly consuming the earth

Rising out of it, feeding
Upon its crust, absorbing
Years of sunlight, air, water,
And out of its leprous hide
Sprouting leaves.

The most sensitive, hidden
For years inside the earth.

3. Metaphor : indirect comparison
Leprous hide – the uneven colour of the surface of the trunk of a tree is compared to the skin of a person suffering from leprosy.
Bleeding bark – the sap coming out of tree where it is cut is compared to the bleeding from the wound in a human’s body.

4. Alliteration: repetition of a consonant sound in 2 or more closely places words.
Bleeding bark – ‘b’ sound
White and wet – ‘w’ sound

5. Repetition: a word or sentence is repeated to lay emphasis on it.
‘Pulled out’ is repeated

NCERT
Thinking about the Poem

Question 1. Can a “simple jab of the knife” kill a tree? Why not?

Answer: No, a simple jab of the knife cannot kill a tree because the tree grows with a lot of nutrients

and resources. Even if one cuts it, it will sprout again.

Question 2. How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.

Answer: The tree has grown to its full size by consuming the earth, feeding upon its crust, absorbing

years of sunlight, air and water. The words suggestive of its life and activity are: absorbing, feeding, rising, consuming and sprouting.

Question 3. What is the meaning of “bleeding bark”? What makes it bleed?

Answer: The “bleeding bark” indicates the idea where the tree has been cut. Just like humans bleed

blood when they get wounded, trees release a liquid at the place where they are cut. So, the tree bleeds.

Question 4. The poet says “No” in the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by this?

Answer: The poet says “No” in the beginning of the third stanza. It emphasizes that only cutting or

chopping the tree will not cease its existence.

Question 5. What is the meaning of “anchoring earth” and “earth cave”?

Answer: The “anchoring earth” means that the earth works as an anchor to protect the tree and saves

it from getting uprooted. “Earth cave” implies the depth of the mother earth where the tree spreads its roots and gets nurtured.

Question 6. What does he mean by “the strength of the tree exposed”?

Answer: He means to say that when one tries to pull out the tree along with its roots which are spread

deep inside the earth, one will understand the strength of the tree.

Question 7. What finally kills the tree?

Answer: When the tree is pulled out along with its roots and separated from the mother earth, one

has to subject it to scorching sun and let it wither. This will finally kill the tree.

HOTs Question:
Question 8: In the poem "On Killing a Tree", the poet describes the process of killing a tree as a slow and painful act that involves more than just cutting it. How does this portrayal of tree destruction reflect the poet's deeper concern for environmental issues and the human disregard for nature? Discuss with reference to the poet's choice of words and imagery.

Answer: In the poem "On Killing a Tree", Gieve Patel emphasizes that killing a tree is not a simple task but a prolonged and violent process. The tree cannot be killed by a mere chop or cut, but requires a slow and painful method of destroying its roots, which hold it deeply in the earth. This is symbolic of the broader exploitation of nature, which humans often engage in thoughtlessly. Patel’s use of phrases like "pulled out by the roots," "hacks and chops," and "the bleeding bark" highlights the violence and cruelty involved in destroying nature. This mirrors the human tendency to harm nature without understanding the full consequences of such actions.

The portrayal of this gradual destruction suggests that humans often fail to recognize the long-term impact of their actions on the environment. The tree’s resistance to being destroyed symbolizes the resilience of nature, but it is ultimately brought down due to human interference. Through this portrayal, Patel raises concerns about environmental degradation, stressing that the exploitation of natural resources is not just a physical act, but a moral and emotional one as well. The poet’s choice of imagery and language invites readers to reflect on the harm done to the earth and encourages a more thoughtful and respectful relationship with nature.

VBQ 
Question 9: In the poem "On Killing a Tree", the destruction of the tree is shown as a brutal and gradual process. How can this theme of destruction of nature be related to our responsibility towards the environment in the present world? What values should we instill in ourselves and society to prevent such harm to nature?

Answer:  The theme of destruction in "On Killing a Tree" can be directly related to the current global environmental crisis. The violent and gradual destruction of the tree in the poem mirrors how natural resources and ecosystems are being destroyed by human activities, such as deforestation, pollution, and overexploitation of resources. The poem suggests that the destruction of nature is not just a one-time event but a slow, ongoing process that causes irreversible damage over time.

The values we need to instill in ourselves and society to prevent further harm to nature include responsibility, empathy, and sustainability. We must recognize that our actions have long-lasting consequences on the environment and that every living organism, including trees, plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of nature. Cultivating respect for nature, encouraging conservation efforts, and practicing eco-friendly habits are essential steps in preventing further harm. We need to teach future generations the importance of living in harmony with the environment rather than exploiting it for short-term gain. By instilling values like environmental stewardship and respect for life, we can work towards a more sustainable and compassionate world. This answer aims to highlight the deeper meanings of the poem and encourage reflection on both personal and collective responsibility toward the environment.