What Is the Central Message of "On Killing a Tree"?
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 On Killing a Tree: Summary, Analysis & Key Themes
1. What is the central theme of Gieve Patel's poem 'On Killing a Tree'?
The central theme is the brutality of humans towards nature and the incredible resilience of nature itself. The poem uses the detailed, violent process of killing a tree to highlight how deeply life is rooted and to critique humanity's thoughtless destruction of the environment. You can explore this theme further in the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Ch 7 On Killing A Tree.
2. Why does the poet say a "simple jab of the knife" is not enough to kill a tree?
A simple cut is not enough because the tree has deep roots and a strong life force. The poet explains that the tree's "bleeding bark" will heal over time. From the part left close to the ground, new "curled green twigs" and small branches will sprout, allowing the tree to grow back to its original size. This shows the tree's powerful regenerative ability as detailed in the On Killing a Tree Poem Summary.
3. What are the main literary devices used in 'On Killing a Tree'?
Gieve Patel uses several powerful literary devices to convey his message:
Personification: The tree is given human attributes, such as "bleeding bark," which makes the act of cutting it feel like an act of violence against a living being.
Irony: The poet gives detailed instructions on how to kill a tree, but his actual intention is to evoke sympathy and show the cruelty of the act.
Imagery: Vivid descriptions like "scorching and choking in sun and air" create a strong visual and emotional impact on the reader.
Metaphor: The roots are described as the tree's "strength," a metaphor for its source of life and stability.
4. What do the phrases ‘anchoring earth’ and ‘earth-cave’ signify in the poem?
These phrases emphasize the deep and secure connection between the tree and the Earth.
‘Anchoring earth’ signifies that the earth acts like an anchor, holding the tree firmly in place and providing it with stability and nourishment.
‘Earth-cave’ refers to the hollow space left in the ground after the tree's roots are ripped out. It suggests a void or a wound in the earth, highlighting the violence of uprooting the tree from its home.
5. How does the poem contrast the act of 'killing' a tree with simply 'cutting' it?
The poem draws a clear distinction between the two acts. 'Cutting' or 'chopping' is shown as a superficial attack that the tree can recover from; its bark heals and new shoots emerge. In contrast, 'killing' is a deliberate and brutal process that requires uprooting the tree entirely. The "killing" involves pulling out its roots—its source of life—and exposing them to the sun and air to wither and die, ensuring it cannot regenerate. This contrast emphasizes the immense effort required to destroy a resilient natural being.
6. What is the final stage in the process of killing the tree as described by the poet?
The final stage involves pulling the tree out "entirely" from its "earth-cave." This exposes its roots, which are described as the "strength of the tree." Once uprooted, the tree is left to face a process of "browning, hardening, twisting, withering." This exposure to the sun and air scorches and chokes the sensitive roots, leading to the tree's ultimate death.
7. What deeper lesson about life can be drawn from 'On Killing a Tree'?
Beyond the environmental message, the poem offers a lesson about perseverance and the nature of deep-seated problems. It suggests that difficult issues, like the tree's life force, are deeply rooted and difficult to destroy. A superficial attempt is not enough to eradicate a problem. To overcome a significant challenge, one must address its root cause completely and systematically, just as the poem describes the meticulous process needed to kill the tree. Find more insights in the Important Questions for Class 9 English (Beehive) Chapter 7 Poem.
8. How does the poet's detached, instructional tone contribute to the poem's irony?
The poet's calm, almost clinical tone, as if he is writing a manual on how to kill a tree, is the poem's central irony. By describing the violent act in such a detached and methodical way, he actually magnifies its horror and cruelty. This emotional distance forces the reader to confront the brutality of the process without any sentimental distraction, making the anti-deforestation message even more powerful and disturbing.
