On Killing a Tree

Questions carrying 6 mark each

1. Justify the title of the poem 'On Killing a Tree'

Ans-'On Killing a Tree' is a satirical poem that expresses the poet's anger against deforestation, an act of killing a tree
by the human being. At the very beginning, the poet ironically tells us that only a simple jab of knife cannot kill a tree
as it takes much time to kill a tree. He then himself suggests hacking and chopping it to kill it. But the poet again says
that this act is also not enough for killing a tree. He then narrates a series of ruthless acts with which includes
uprooting entirely, exposing the roots, scorching and choking in the sun, browning, hardening, twisting and
withering. The title 'On Killing a Tree' completely conveys the satirical tone of the poet. Thus the title quite befitting
for the poem.

2. How can a tree be killed in 'On Killing a Tree'?

Ans-In 'On Killing a Tree' the poet says that a tree cannot be killed only by a simple jab of a knife or by hacking and
chopping. It can not also be done by that much pain that a tree gets by the act of hacking and chopping. He then says
that to kill a tree its root needs to be pulled out entirely from the anchoring earth. Once it is uprooted the root is left
open in sun and air for scorching and choking. And only then the tree will be killed.

3. "And then it is done".- What is done? When is it done? How is it done?

Ans-The act of killing a tree is done or completed.

It is done when the root is pulled out from the earth and is exposed to sun and air until it dries up and turns brown.

A tree cannot be killed only by a simple jab of a knife or by hacking and chopping. Because the tree can overcome
these ruthless attack of men and its bleeding bark will heal again. So to kill a tree it needs to be tied with rope and
uprooted entirely from the earth. Then the root is left to dry in sunlight and air. This is how the act of killing a tree is
done.

4. “......so hack and chop...

But this alone won’t do i.”- What would won’t do it and how does the tree heal its wounds?

Ans- The tree is representative of life. Repeated haking and chopping will not kill a tree completely. The tree has
hidden its sourc, its most sensitive, white and wet roots which are inside the earth. The affectd tree does not seem to
express its pain because its bleeding bark will heal its pain all the time.the seepage from its bark will heal up its
wounds. ‘Curled green twigs’ of the tree closely attached to earth will grow from the miniature boughs. The strength
of the tee lies in the roots. If these roots are not completely uprooted, they will expand and become a full grown tree
again.

5. Central idea of the poem.

Ans- In this poem the poet Gieve Patel wants to warn the world about the ongoing brutal process of deforestation
that is happening everyday. The tree takes year to grow up and feeds on the crust of the earth. ‘Not a simple jab of
the knife’ will destroy a tree. If the tree is not properly uprooted, it will again grow up in its former size.The poet is
trying to warn us about the problem which we want to eradicate completely, we have destroy itr from its source.Its
deep roots are not easy to pull out. On the otherhand, the poet shows that we human beings are so brutal,
destructive and insensitive to the trees who help us selflessly to remain alive on this earth.
Very short questions carring 1 mark each:-
1. What type of poem is ' On Killing A Tree'?

Ans -'On Killing A Tree' is an ironical poem written in free verse.

2. How does the tree grow? [2017]

Ans-The tree grows up slowly by absorbing years of sunlight, air, and water and by consuming essential nutrition
from earth.

3.Where does the irony lie in the poem 'On Killing A Tree'?

Ans-The irony in the poem ' On Killing A Tree' lies, in fact, that the act of killing a tree is a ceremonial task.

4. What does the word 'crust' mean?

Ans-The word 'crust' means the topmost layer of the Earth.

5. What does the term 'leprous hide' mean?

Ans-The term 'leprous hide' means the bark of a tree which is probably rough and has marks.

6. What kind of task is it to kill a tree?

Ans- According to Gieve Patel, it is a very difficult task to kill a tree and it takes much time.

7. How does the poet describe the bark of a tree?

Ans-The poet, Gieve Patel, has described the bark of a tree as 'leprous'.

8. What does the phrase 'sprouting leaves' mean?

Ans- The phrase, 'sprouting leaves' means the little and new green leaves that have just grown or about to grow from
boughs of a tree.

9. What would not kill a tree alone?

Ans- Hacking and chopping would not kill a tree alone.

10."But this alone won't do it"- What does 'this' refer to?

Ans- Here 'this' refers to the act of hacking and chopping which is not enough for killing a tree completely.

11. "But this alone won't do it"- What does 'it' refer to?

Ans- Here 'it' refers to the act of killing a tree completely.

12. Where will the 'curled green twigs' rise from? [2017]

Ans- The 'curled green twigs' will rise from the remaining part of the tree which is very close to the ground.

13. "Miniature boughs"- What does the word 'boughs' mean?

Ans- The word 'boughs' means branches of a tree.

14. What does the poet mean by saying 'unchecked'?

Ans- When a tree is cut down and if the 'curled green twigs' are 'unchecked' or not cut, they will grow again to their
former size.

15. What happens after 'hacking and chopping'?

Ans- After 'hacking and chopping' the bark of the tree bleeds and it gives the tree much pain.

16. What lies hidden in the earth's cave?

Ans- The root lies hidden in the earth's cave.

17. Where does the strength of a tree lie?

Ans- The strength of a tree lies in its root which finds the anchorage inside the earth.

18. "The source, white and wet."- What does the word 'source' refer to?

Ans- The word 'source' refers to the root of a tree which helps the tree to absorb the necessary nutrition from the
earth.

19. How does Gieve Patel describe the root of a tree?

Ans- Gieve Patel describes the root of a tree as the source of a tree which is wet and white and which is the most
sensitive part.

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

Ans- “Anchoring earth” means the earth which gives a firm grip to the tree and keeps it from falling.

“Earth cave” refers to the depth under the earth where the root of a tree remains sheltered safely for years.

21. "And then it is done"- Which act is referred to here?

Ans- The act of killing a tree is referred here.