The “On Killing a Tree” poem explores the complex relationship between humans and nature, specifically focusing on the act of destroying a tree. It emphasizes the resilience of nature and the hidden power within its roots. By detailing the gradual process of killing a tree, Patel forces us to confront the consequences of our actions and the true cost of deforestation. “On Killing a Tree” is a metaphorical exploration of the difficulties and complexities involved in overcoming obstacles or eliminating persistent problems. The tree serves as a symbolic representation of challenges that require deep-rooted solutions.
‘On Killing a Tree’:
Poem:
It takes much time to kill a tree,
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.So hack and chop
But this alone wont do it.
Not so much pain will do it.
The bleeding bark will heal
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
Miniature boughs
Which if unchecked will expand again
To former size.No,
The root is to be pulled out —
Out of the anchoring earth;
It is to be roped, tied,
And pulled out — snapped out
Or pulled out entirely,
Out from the earth-cave,
And the strength of the tree exposed
The source, white and wet,
The most sensitive, hidden
For years inside the earth.Then the matter
Of scorching and choking
In sun and air,
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering,
And then it is done.
Glossary:
Here’s a glossary of the poem “On Killing a Tree” by Gieve Patel for each stanza: These explanations provide a deeper understanding of the imagery and symbolism used in each stanza of the poem “On Killing a Tree.”
Stanza 1:
- Tree: Represents something that has grown slowly over time and has become deeply rooted.
- Consuming the earth: Describes how the tree has drawn nutrients and sustenance from the soil over a long period.
- Rising out of it: Refers to the tree’s gradual growth from the earth.
- Feeding upon its crust: Indicates the tree’s consumption of the earth’s surface for nourishment.
- Absorbing years of sunlight, air, water: Highlights the tree’s dependence on natural elements for its growth and sustenance.
- Leprous hide: Suggests the rough, diseased-looking exterior of the tree.
- Sprouting leaves: Represents the tree’s natural growth and renewal process.
Stanza 2:
- Hack and chop: Describes the action of aggressively cutting the tree.
- Bleeding bark: Refers to the tree’s natural defense mechanism when wounded.
- Curled green twigs: Depicts the resilient growth of new branches and foliage from the tree’s base.
- Miniature boughs: Refers to small, slender branches that emerge from the cut tree.
- Unchecked: Indicates that the new growth will continue if not prevented.
Stanza 3:
- Root is to be pulled out: Suggests the need to entirely uproot the tree to ensure its complete removal.
- Anchoring earth: Describes the strong connection of the tree’s roots to the soil.
- Roped, tied, and pulled out: Implies the forceful and deliberate action required to extract the tree from the ground.
- Earth-cave: Symbolizes the underground environment in which the tree’s roots have developed and thrived.
- White and wet: Describes the appearance and nature of the tree’s exposed roots.
- Most sensitive, hidden for years inside the earth: Portrays the vulnerability and longevity of the tree’s hidden root system.
Stanza 4:
- Scorching and choking: Describes the final stages of killing the tree through environmental stress.
- Browning, hardening, twisting, withering: Depicts the gradual decay and death of the tree.
- It is done: Indicates the completion of the tree’s destruction.
Summary
In “On Killing a Tree,” Gieve Patel argues that truly destroying a tree isn’t a quick chop or forceful blow. It’s a deliberate, arduous process that requires severing its connection to the lifeblood of the earth – its roots. The poem vividly paints a picture of a resilient tree, able to bounce back from wounds until its most vital source of strength is ripped away. Through this imagery, Patel compels us to consider the hidden power of nature and the consequences of our sometimes careless actions. It’s a powerful statement about environmental awareness and the respect we owe to the natural world.
Stanza 1: Killing a tree takes time and effort, not just a single strike. Its strength comes from years of absorbing earth, sunlight, air, and water.
Stanza 2: Chopping and hacking won’t kill it permanently. Even severe injury will heal, and new branches will sprout, possibly restoring the tree to its former size.
Stanza 3: The key to truly killing a tree is ripping out its roots – the source of its life force. They must be uprooted completely, exposing the hidden vulnerability deep within the earth.
Stanza 4: Uprooted and exposed to sun and air, the tree suffers. It browns, hardens, twists, and withers in a slow, agonizing death. This process marks the final act of its destruction.
Overall Summary: The poem emphasizes the resilience of nature and the hidden power within a tree’s roots. Killing it requires a brutal attack on its core, highlighting the consequences of human actions on the natural world.
Stanza Wise Explanation
Stanza 1:
It takes much time to kill a tree,
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.
Glossary:
Here’s a glossary of the poem “On Killing a Tree” by Gieve Patel for each stanza: These explanations provide a deeper understanding of the imagery and symbolism used in each stanza of the poem “On Killing a Tree.”
- Tree: Represents something that has grown slowly over time and has become deeply rooted.
- Consuming the earth: Describes how the tree has drawn nutrients and sustenance from the soil over a long period.
- Rising out of it: Refers to the tree’s gradual growth from the earth.
- Feeding upon its crust: Indicates the tree’s consumption of the earth’s surface for nourishment.
- Absorbing years of sunlight, air, water: Highlights the tree’s dependence on natural elements for its growth and sustenance.
- Leprous hide: Suggests the rough, diseased-looking exterior of the tree.
- Sprouting leaves: Represents the tree’s natural growth and renewal process.
Explanation:
- Trees are strong and resilient, rooted in the earth and nourished by sunlight, air, and water. They grow slowly and steadily, even their rough bark bears new life in the form of leaves.
The poet starts by stating that killing a tree is a time-consuming process. A simple act like cutting it with a knife won’t suffice because the tree has taken a long time to grow. The tree has slowly consumed and drawn nutrients from the earth, growing and developing over the years, absorbing sunlight, air, and water. It has become part of the environment, sprouting leaves from its “leprous hide” (a powerful image suggesting the tree’s resilience even in harsh conditions).
- The speaker points out that destroying a tree is a gradual process, not a single act.
- Trees grow slowly, drawing nourishment from the earth, sunlight, air, and water.
- Their leaves sprout from a rough, diseased-looking bark (leprous hide).
In this stanza, the poet sets the stage for the metaphorical meaning of the tree. The tree represents something that has deep roots and has taken a long time to establish itself. The emphasis on the tree’s slow growth suggests the strength and resilience of whatever it symbolizes.
The use of personification in “consuming the earth” and “feeding upon its crust” emphasizes the tree’s active role in the ecosystem. The metaphor “leprous hide” suggests not only the tree’s age and weathered exterior but also its tenacity and ability to thrive despite challenges.
Poetic devices:
- Metaphor: “consuming the earth” – the tree’s roots penetrate and absorb nutrients from the soil.
- Metaphor: The tree is compared to a living entity with intricate internal processes, not just a physical object. (“consuming the earth,” “leprous hide”)
- Imagery: descriptive words like sunlight, air, water, “leprous hide” and “curled green twigs” createa clear image of the tree’s growth and vitality.
- Imagery: Sensory details like sunlight, air, water, and leaves help create a clear image of the tree’s growth and vitality.
- Personification: Giving the tree human-like qualities like “feeding” and “sprouting” emphasizes its defiance against attempts to kill it.
Stanza 2:
So hack and chop
But this alone wont do it.
Not so much pain will do it.
The bleeding bark will heal
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
Miniature boughs
Which if unchecked will expand again
To former size.
Glossary:
- Hack and chop: Describes the action of aggressively cutting the tree.
- Bleeding bark: Refers to the tree’s natural defense mechanism when wounded.
- Curled green twigs: Depicts the resilient growth of new branches and foliage from the tree’s base.
- Miniature boughs: Refers to small, slender branches that emerge from the cut tree.
- Unchecked: Indicates that the new growth will continue if not prevented.
Explanation:
- Simply hacking or chopping a tree won’t kill it. The bark may bleed and scar, but new branches will sprout, returning it to its former size. The tree’s life force runs deeper.
The poet suggests that simply hacking and chopping at the tree won’t be enough to kill it. Even if it bleeds, the bark will heal, and new shoots will rise from the ground, replacing what was lost. The tree’s natural regenerative power is remarkable.
- Chopping and hacking aren’t enough to permanently kill a tree.
- Even significant injury (bleeding bark) won’t prevent regrowth.
- New branches will sprout from the base, potentially returning the tree to its original size.
This stanza delves into the idea that overcoming challenges or obstacles requires more than superficial efforts. The tree’s ability to sprout new growth symbolizes resilience and the ability to rebound after setbacks.
The repetition of “won’t do it” emphasizes the futility of brute force against the tree’s inherent resilience. The image of “curled green twigs” rising from the ground symbolizes the tree’s unyielding spirit and its potential for renewal.
Poetic Devices:
- Antithesis: “from close to the ground / Will rise curled green twigs” – highlights the resilience of the tree.
- Juxtaposition: The image of “bleeding bark” contrasted with the “curled green twigs” highlights the tree’s regenerative power.
- Symbolism: The “miniature boughs” symbolize the potential for the tree to regain its full form, representing the tenacious spirit of nature.
Stanza 3:
No,
The root is to be pulled out —
Out of the anchoring earth;
It is to be roped, tied,
And pulled out — snapped out
Or pulled out entirely,
Out from the earth-cave,
And the strength of the tree exposed
The source, white and wet,
The most sensitive, hidden
For years inside the earth.
Glossary:
- Root is to be pulled out: Suggests the need to entirely uproot the tree to ensure its complete removal.
- Anchoring earth: Describes the strong connection of the tree’s roots to the soil.
- Roped, tied, and pulled out: Implies the forceful and deliberate action required to extract the tree from the ground.
- Earth-cave: Symbolizes the underground environment in which the tree’s roots have developed and thrived.
- White and wet: Describes the appearance and nature of the tree’s exposed roots.
- Most sensitive, hidden for years inside the earth: Portrays the vulnerability and longevity of the tree’s hidden root system.
Explanation:
- To truly kill a tree, you must attack its core, its hidden anchor – the roots. Uprooting them exposes their vulnerability, the white and wet source of life that sustained the tree for years.
The poem shifts focus to the root, identifying it as the true source of the tree’s life force. It needs to be uprooted, pulled out entirely from the earth’s embrace, to truly kill the tree.This involves pulling the root out of the ground, tying it, and exerting force to remove it completely. This act exposes the tree’s “white and wet” vulnerability, its hidden core now laid bare.
- The key to killing a tree lies in removing its root system.
- The roots must be uprooted completely, exposing their source.
- This reveals the tree’s most vulnerable point, hidden deep within the earth.
The act of uprooting the tree becomes a metaphor for addressing the core or root of a problem. It suggests that to truly overcome a challenge, one must go to the source and eliminate it completely. The “white and wet” source may symbolize the vulnerability or essential nature that is hidden beneath the surface.
The metaphor of the root as the “anchoring earth” highlights its crucial role in the tree’s stability and connection to the land. The act of pulling it out is symbolic of severing this connection, a violent disruption of the natural order. The image of the exposed root, “white and wet,” evokes a sense of rawness and fragility, contrasting with the tree’s previous outward strength.
Poetic Devices:
- Imperative: “The root is to be pulled out” – conveys a sense of urgency and finality.
- Metaphor: “earth-cave” – the soil surrounding the roots is personified as a protective space.
- Shift in tone: The poem becomes more direct and forceful with the use of imperatives like “pulled out,” “snapped out,” and “exposed.”
- Contrast: The “earth-cave” protecting the root stands in stark contrast to the exposed “source” after its removal, highlighting the vulnerability created.
- Symbolism: The root symbolizes the core of the tree’s strength and life, representing the importance of addressing the fundamentals to truly conquer it
Stanza 4:
Then the matter
Of scorching and choking
In sun and air,
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering,
And then it is done.
Glossary:
- Scorching and choking: Describes the final stages of killing the tree through environmental stress.
- Browning, hardening, twisting, withering: Depicts the gradual decay and death of the tree.
- It is done: Indicates the completion of the tree’s destruction.
Explanation:
- Exposed to sun and air, the uprooted roots wither and die. They brown, harden, twist, and eventually vanish. Only then can the tree be considered truly dead.
After the root is exposed, the final steps involve subjecting the tree to harsh conditions—scorching it in the sun, choking it in the air, causing its once vibrant leaves turn brown, harden, twist, and wither. This agonising process leads to the eventual demise and death of the tree.
- Once uprooted, the tree is left exposed to the elements.
- Sun and air scorch and choke it, causing browning, hardening, and withering.
- This gradual process eventually leads to the tree’s complete death.
The harsh treatment of the tree represents the tough measures one might need to take to eliminate a problem or overcome an obstacle. The various stages of scorching, choking, and withering could symbolize the different challenges and hardships one must endure to achieve a goal or solve a problem.
The harsh verbs like “scorching,” “choking,” and “withering” paint a vivid picture of the tree’s suffering. The contrast between the green leaves mentioned earlier and the now-browned state underscores the irreversible damage inflicted. The poem ends with a sense of finality and a lingering sadness at the cost of severing a connection to the natural world.
Poetic Devices:
- Personification: “scorching and choking,” “twisting, withering” – the tree is depicted as suffering and succumbing.
- Juxtaposition: “Browning, hardening” against “curled green twigs” in stanza 2 highlights the contrast between life and death.
- Onomatopoeia: Words like “scorching,” “choking,” “browning,” and “withering” mimic the harsh, drying processes that finally kill the tree.
- Visual imagery: The description of the tree’s final stages paints a clear picture of decay and decline.
- Sense of finality: The repeated “it is done” emphasizes the completion of the task, while leaving a lingering sense of the destruction inflicted on nature.
- Climax: the poem reaches its conclusion with the tree’s final demise.
‘On Killing a Tree’: Key Points
Stanza 1:
- Main point: Killing a tree takes time and effort, not a single blow.
- Key idea: The tree has slowly grown, absorbing nourishment from the earth and sunlight.
- Literary devices: Metaphor (“consuming the earth”), personification (“sprouting leaves”).
Stanza 2:
- Main point: Chopping or even severe injury won’t permanently kill the tree.
- Key idea: The bark will heal, and new branches will sprout, potentially restoring the tree.
- Literary devices: Repetition (“hack and chop”), antithesis (“bleeding bark” vs. “green twigs”).
Stanza 3:
- Main point: The only way to truly kill a tree is to uproot it completely.
- Key idea: Exposing the hidden root system reveals the tree’s vulnerability.
- Literary devices: Imperatives (“The root is to be pulled out”), metaphor (“earth-cave”), symbolism (root as life force).
Stanza 4:
- Main point: Uprooting exposes the tree to the elements, leading to its slow death.
- Key idea: Sun and air scorch and wither the tree, causing its final demise.
- Literary devices: Personification (“scorching and choking”), juxtaposition (“browning” vs. “green twigs”), climax (final death).
Overall:
- The poem emphasizes the resilience of nature and the hidden power within its roots.
- It challenges us to consider the consequences of our actions towards the natural world.
- The poem serves as a call for environmental awareness and respect for nature.
Conclusion
In essence, “On Killing a Tree” transcends the literal act of destroying a tree and becomes a powerful metaphor for our relationship with nature. It reminds us that our actions have consequences, and we must strive for a harmonious and sustainable existence with the natural world.
Overall, the poem uses powerful imagery, symbolism, and contrasting tones to convey the message that destroying something deeply rooted, like a tree or a belief system, requires addressing its core and understanding its resilience. It’s important to note that while the poem can be interpreted in various ways, including environmental, social, or personal struggles, it’s best to approach it with sensitivity and open-mindedness.