On Killing a Tree Summary for Class 9 English Poem
This page provides a concise and insightful summary of the poem On Killing a Tree by Gieve Patel, tailored for Class 9 English students. The poem explores the resilience of nature and the often destructive relationship between humans and the environment. Through this summary, students can understand the poem’s key themes, literary devices, and powerful environmental message, making it a valuable resource for exam preparation and classroom discussions.
About the Author
“Killing the Tree” is written by Gieve Patel, an Indian poet, playwright, and artist. Patel's work often explores themes of nature, human relationships, and the intricacies of life. He is known for his vivid, realistic descriptions and deep engagement with natural imagery. Apart from poetry, Gieve Patel has contributed significantly to the field of art and medicine. His poetic style blends simplicity with intensity, and his works are characterised by their lyrical quality and philosophical depth. Killing the Tree reflects Patel's concern for the environment and serves as a powerful metaphor for destruction, highlighting the irreversible impact of human actions on nature.
Theme
The central theme of "Killing the Tree" by Gieve Patel focuses on the human destruction of nature and the irreversible consequences of such actions. Through the metaphor of killing a tree, Patel highlights how human exploitation harms the environment. The slow, violent process of destroying the tree symbolises the lasting damage caused to nature. Despite this, the poem also emphasises the resilience of nature, showing that nature fights back, though often at a great cost. Ultimately, the poem serves as a warning about the irreversible harm humans can cause and encourages reflection on the moral responsibility to protect the environment.
Summary of On Killing a Tree in 100 Words
"On Killing a Tree" by Gieve Patel is a poem that explores the slow and violent process of destroying a tree. The poem presents the tree as a living entity, illustrating the effort required to kill it. Initially, cutting the tree’s branches or even chopping its trunk may not suffice, as the tree can regenerate and heal itself. The poet explains that to truly kill the tree, one must uproot it from the earth, severing its roots, which provide it with nourishment and life. The tree's vitality is so strong that even a small amount of nourishment can help it grow again. The poem emphasizes the violent, irreversible nature of human actions towards nature and highlights the resilience of life. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the exploitation of the environment and the consequences of such actions.
Explanation and Summary of on killing a Tree Stanza by Stanza
Stanza 1
It takes much time to kill a tree, ……. Sprouting leaves.
The poem starts by pointing out that it takes a lot of time to cut a tree. The simple act of stabbing it with a knife is not enough to kill a tree. It is not an easy job to kill a tree, as it has grown strong by absorbing many elements for many years. It has taken nutrients from the soil and absorbed sunlight, air and water for a long time such that many leaves had grown on it.
Stanza 2
So hack and chop….. To former size
In this stanza, the poet states that we need to do a lot of effort to kill a tree. According to him a simple stab and chop won’t kill the tree completely. It would only injure the tree, which would suffer the pain with its strength. The fighting spirit of the tree shall soon receive its full strength and with time, the injured bark will heal and the tree will grow again. Green twigs and small branches will grow again on the tree. Consequently, the tree will grow its full size again as it was before being cut or killed. Therefore, it is not easy to kill a tree with these measures.
Stanza 3
No, The root is to be pulled out -- ……. For years inside the earth.
In this stanza, the poet points out the exact manner through which a tree can be killed. He states that to kill a tree completely, its roots need to be taken out of the deep soil where it is hiding inside the Earth. The root is the strength of the tree. It gives support to the tree and its most vulnerable as well as the sensitive part. It needs to be snapped out entirely from deep inside the Earth.
Stanza 4
Then the matter…. And then it is done.
In this stanza, the poet says that once the roots are uprooted, they will get exposed to the sun and the air. As a result, the roots start dying due to the heat. The roots become brown and the soft surface becomes hard and dry. After some time, it loses its shape and starts twisting. Finally, the tree will die.
Conclusion:
"On Killing a Tree" by Gieve Patel is a powerful reflection on the relationship between humans and nature. Through vivid imagery, the poem highlights the brutal process of cutting down a tree and underscores the tree's resilience. It is not a mere act of violence but a reminder of nature’s endurance and the consequences of humanity’s exploitation. The poem urges readers to reflect on the destructive impact humans have on the environment and emphasizes the importance of respecting and preserving nature. By delving into themes of violence, destruction, and regeneration, Patel calls for a deeper connection with the world around us.
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FAQs on Summary of On Killing a Tree: A Poem by Gieve Patel
1. The Poet has used Irony in the Poem to give a Message. Elaborate.
In the poem ‘On Killing a Tree,’ the poet describes a method that will most effectively kill a tree. By stating the method, the poem conveys a message that Mother Nature has regenerative powers and cannot be destroyed easily. Further, trees sustain our lives and hence must be preserved. You can find more on the irony while reading “Killing a Tree”. Vedantu has provided a concise summary of this and students are advised to read it for their better understanding.
2. How can the Tree get Back to its Former Size?
In this poem, the author explains that it is not easy to kill a tree. It takes a lot of effort to do so as a tree will regain its former size as well. After the tree’s bleeding bark is healed, small branches and bushes will rise from the stump of the tree, which is close to the ground. With time, these tiny delicate branches of the trees will expand and grow to their original size. Students should visit the summary of each stanza of the poem to understand more about this. A concise summary is available here on Vedantu.
3. What is the meaning of ‘Anchoring Earth’ and ‘Earth Cave’?
‘Anchoring earth’ refers to the soil in which the roots of the tree are kept hidden. The soil and the roots of the trees form a very tight grip, like an anchor and keep it rooted. As a result, the tree stands firmly and deeply at a place. ‘Earth cave’ refers to a small region inside the ground where the roots are generally fixed. After the roots are pulled out, the area looks like a cave. These words enhance the poem.
4. What is the Important Message that the Poet has conveyed through the Poem, ‘On Killing a Tree’?
The theme of the poem is how to complete a job. A half-done job is as bad as not done at all. If we want to finish a tree, we must uproot it. Cutting the limbs alone will not do. The lesson is that a great task needs a great deal of hard work. One must be prepared for it. For example, if we want to understand a book, the simple reading of a few pages will not do. We have to read it completely, underline the important passages and try to understand what the author means to say. It is not enough to grasp a great book by reading it once. We may have to read it, again and again, to grasp it fully.
5. What will be the condition of the tree after its roots are uprooted?
As per the author of “Killing a Tree”, one should uproot the tree completely off the ground. This will cause the roots of the tree to dry up and it will not be able to nourish itself. The roots are the most sensitive part of the tree as stated by the author. If this part is exposed after being uprooted from the Earth cave where it has been rooted for many years, it will take the life out of the tree and it will dry. Hence, the author says killing a tree is like a crime. Students can understand the poem “On Killing a Tree” from Gieve Patel on Vedantu. The summary given on the Vedantu is concise and has captured the complete essence of the poem. This will help students to explain the complete poem and they will also be able to solve any questions related to this poem.
6. What is the central theme of the poem On Killing a Tree?
The central theme is the resilience of nature and the brutality of human actions in destroying it. The poem highlights how deeply rooted trees symbolize the strength and perseverance of nature and critiques humanity’s disregard for the environment.
7. Why does the poet say that hacking and chopping cannot kill a tree?
Hacking and chopping cannot kill a tree because it can heal and grow back. Its roots are deeply entrenched in the earth, providing nourishment and life to the tree, making it difficult to destroy completely.
8. What does the poet mean by "the strength of the tree exposed"?
The phrase refers to the roots of the tree being pulled out of the earth. The roots symbolize the tree’s source of strength and connection to life. Exposing them is a violent act that leads to the tree’s eventual death.
9. Why does the poet describe the killing of a tree as a deliberate and brutal process?
The poet describes the process as deliberate and brutal to emphasize the violence and effort required to destroy something so resilient and life-giving. It critiques humanity's destructive tendencies toward nature.
10. What literary devices does Gieve Patel use in the poem?
The poet uses:
Personification: The tree is given human qualities, making its destruction seem cruel.
Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the tree’s destruction.
Symbolism: The tree symbolises nature, and its killing represents environmental degradation.
