The Trees Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 5 (Poem) CBSE Notes 2025-26

The poem "The Trees" by Adrienne Rich explores the journey of trees moving from confinement inside a house to the freedom of the forest. Through vivid imagery and symbolism, the poem not only describes the literal movement of trees but also hints at deeper themes such as the relationship between humans and nature, and perhaps even the need for freedom and self-expression. 

The poet carefully uses words and metaphors to create a powerful atmosphere, making readers feel the urgency and excitement as the trees break free.

In "The Trees," the speaker observes that the trees kept inside a house are actively moving out into the forest, which had been empty for days and nights. The poem begins by painting a barren forest where no bird could sit, no insect could hide, and where sunlight could not create shadows, emphasizing the absence of life due to the missing trees. 

As the night progresses, the roots of the trees work to free themselves from the cracks in the veranda floor, and their leaves and small twigs strain toward the glass windows. The long-confined branches, or boughs, shuffle restlessly, like patients finally rising and leaving the hospital.

The speaker, meanwhile, remains inside the house, writing letters but barely mentioning the "departure of the forest" from the home. The poem describes how the scent of leaves and lichen is still present inside, creating a delicate mix of emotions—both nostalgia and a sense of imminent change. 

At night, whispers fill the speaker's mind, but the coming day promises silence. In a dramatic climax, the glass breaks as the trees finally stumble forward into the night, and the moon appears shattered, its fragments caught in the treetops.

One key theme in "The Trees" is the contrast between natural freedom and human-imposed confinement. The poem uses the movement of trees as a metaphor to highlight how nature cannot be caged or controlled indefinitely.

There is also a subtle suggestion of a conflict between man and nature, especially in the lines that depict trees kept indoors as decoration, while forests are disappearing outside. This raises questions about environmental degradation and the need to restore balance.

Another possible interpretation is that the trees symbolize people or communities yearning for liberation. The restlessness, the urge to break free, and the eventual movement towards open spaces can all be linked to the human spirit's desire for growth, freedom, and self-realization. Poet Adrienne Rich is known for using metaphors like these to represent deeper struggles.

The poem relies on strong imagery to bring the scenes to life. Expressions like "no sun bury its feet in shadow" personify the sun, helping to show how lifeless the forest feels without trees. The boughs "shuffling under the roof like newly discharged patients" draws a parallel between the trees’ struggle for freedom and patients regaining movement after a long illness.

Sound and motion are also used effectively. Words like "stumbling forward into the night" and "glass is breaking" give the poem a sense of action and urgency. The night is described as "fresh" with the "whole moon shining," and later the moon is compared to a broken mirror, symbolizing change and the shattering of boundaries.

In the first stanza, the poet depicts an empty forest, emphasizing how crucial trees are for the ecosystem—birds cannot perch, insects cannot take cover, and sunlight cannot form shadows without them. By morning, however, the forest will be re-inhabited by the trees that have escaped their confinement indoors.

The second stanza describes the struggle of the trees to free themselves. The roots work all night, leaves strain toward outside light, and the branches, which have been cramped, try to move and stretch. The simile compares their action to that of hospital patients stepping out after being stuck inside—confused but eager.

The third stanza shifts focus to the poet, who, from within the house, observes the changes but chooses not to write about them directly. The poet recognizes the fresh night and lingering scents while admitting to an inner turmoil or anticipation of the dramatic events about to unfold.

In the final stanza, there is a burst of energy as the trees push forward, breaking the glass in their bid for freedom. The movement is so intense that even the moon seems fractured, with its pieces lighting up the tallest trees, symbolizing a new connection between the natural world and the cosmos.

• Disengage themselves: To separate or free themselves, as trees do from the cracks in the veranda.
• Strain: To make strong efforts to move or reach something.
• Bough: The main branch of a tree.
• Shuffling: Moving awkwardly or repeatedly from one place to another.
• Lichen: Crusty or bushy growths found on tree trunks and rocks, caused by a partnership of fungus and algae.

• Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things, such as the sun "burying its feet" in shadow or trees "stumbling forward".
• Simile: The branches are compared to "newly discharged patients" to show their awkward, newly regained movement.
• Imagery: Vivid pictures are painted through words like "the moon is broken like a mirror," helping readers visualize the scene.
• Metaphor: Trees moving out can also act as a metaphor for breaking free from constraints or seeking true belonging.

• Three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest: No bird can sit, no insect can hide, and the sun cannot create shadows.
• Where are the trees and what do they do? The trees are inside the house, trying to escape. Their roots are pulling away from cracks, leaves stretch toward windows, and branches shuffle under the roof.
• What is meant by “sun bury its feet in shadow”? This means that sunlight can only make shadows if there are trees; without them, the sun’s rays reach the bare ground, unable to hide in the shade.
• The poet’s mood: The speaker is observant but detached, focusing on writing letters rather than the momentous escape of the trees, possibly indicating a difficulty in facing significant changes.
• Symbolic meaning of the poem: The trees may symbolize the urge to break free from oppression, with their journey representing natural or human liberation.

The poem can also be compared to "A Tiger in the Zoo" or "On Killing a Tree" studied in other NCERT English chapters. All these explore themes of confinement, resistance, and the relationship between humans and the natural environment. 

"The Trees" questions whether keeping trees inside—removing them from their natural setting for decoration—results in imprisonment, just as animals are caged for display.

Adrienne Rich, the American poet who wrote "The Trees," often used her poetry as a platform to address social issues and deep emotions. 

Her unique style blends strong imagery with symbolic meanings, making her work both thought-provoking and easy to understand. In this poem, she not only talks about the visible event of trees moving but also encourages readers to think about greater questions related to nature and freedom.

By understanding the stanza meanings, key themes, and important literary devices in "The Trees," students can easily prepare for questions that might be asked in their Class 10 English exams. 

Focus on how the poem’s imagery supports its deeper meanings, and try to connect the metaphor of the trees with themes of personal or societal liberation. Remember important phrases and words to support your answers.

CBSE Class 10 English First Flight Notes Chapter 5 Poem The Trees

These Class 10 English Chapter 5 poem "The Trees" notes summarize every stanza, theme, and poetic device for a strong exam foundation. Students can use these concise points to revise symbolism, imagery, and the message of Adrienne Rich’s poem in minutes.

Find all the important NCERT-based details and line-by-line explanations from “The Trees” here. With easy-to-read lists and Q&A, these notes help you for both CBSE exam preparation and deeper understanding of the poem’s message about nature and freedom.