Tree in Season

Extra Question Answer

Question 1:
What is the main theme of the poem “Tree in Season”?

Answer:
The main theme of the poem is the cyclical nature of life as represented by the changing seasons and
how a tree experiences these changes. Each stanza corresponds to a different season, illustrating the
tree’s transformation and response to its environment.

Question 2:
How does the tree respond to the arrival of spring?

Answer:
In spring, the tree hums quietly to itself, singing a lullaby to the buds bursting with new leaves. Its
branches move with the wind, and the tree begins to sing in its new green glory, indicating a sense of
renewal and growth.

Question 3:
What activities are associated with the tree in summer?

Answer:
In summer, the tree stretches in the sun and interacts with its surroundings, knowing the birds that fly and
the beasts that run, climb, and jump from its branches. It feels relaxed, yawning and digging its roots
deep into the earth, symbolizing stability and strength.

Question 4:
Describe the tree’s condition and actions during autumn.

Answer:
During autumn, the tree shivers as the days shorten. Its leaves turn gold and eventually fall, resembling
the tree dropping coins of gold. The season is depicted as rich with the spending of leaves, indicating the
tree’s preparation for the upcoming winter.

Question 5:
What imagery is used to describe the tree in winter?

Answer:
In winter, the tree’s old branches ache, and it stands naked in the storms, frozen, bleak, and bare. Life lies
dormant underground as the tree sleeps and waits for the sun to return, illustrating a period of rest and
dormancy.
Question 6:
How does the poem personify the tree throughout the different seasons?

Answer:
The poem personifies the tree by attributing human-like qualities and actions to it. In spring, it hums and
sings; in summer, it stretches, knows, and yawns; in autumn, it shivers and drops gold coins; in winter, it
aches, stands naked, and sleeps. This personification helps to convey the tree’s experiences and
emotions through the seasons.

Question 7:
What does the phrase “The tree drops its coins of gold” symbolize in the context of autumn?

Answer:
The phrase “The tree drops its coins of gold” symbolizes the falling of the tree’s golden leaves. It suggests
the idea of the tree giving away its valuable leaves, much like spending money, which adds a rich, poetic
quality to the imagery of autumn.

Question 8:
What is the significance of the tree waiting for the “returning sun” in the final stanza?

Answer:
The significance of the tree waiting for the “returning sun” in the final stanza is to emphasize the hope and
anticipation of renewal and rebirth. It reflects the natural cycle where winter’s dormancy will give way to
the new growth of spring, symbolizing the tree’s resilience and the promise of life continuing.

Question 9:
How does the poet convey the passage of time through the poem?

Answer:
The poet conveys the passage of time by describing the tree’s changes and activities across the four
seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each stanza focuses on a different season, illustrating the
tree’s transformation and the natural cycle of growth, maturity, decay, and dormancy.

Question 10:
How is the tree’s relationship with its environment depicted in the summer stanza?

Answer:
In the summer stanza, the tree’s relationship with its environment is depicted as harmonious and
interconnected. The tree stretches in the sun, interacts with birds and animals, and digs its roots deep
into the earth. This shows a deep connection and integration with the surrounding ecosystem,
symbolizing vitality and strength.
Question 11:
What mood is created in the autumn stanza, and what words or phrases contribute to this mood?

Answer:
The mood in the autumn stanza is one of richness and transition. Words and phrases like “shivers,” “gold,”
“drops its coins of gold,” and “the days are rich with the spending of leaves” contribute to a sense of both
beauty and the inevitable change as the tree prepares for winter.

Question 12:
What does the phrase “Deep underground life lies sleeping” suggest about the tree’s state in winter?

Answer:
The phrase “Deep underground life lies sleeping” suggests that although the tree appears lifeless and
dormant above ground during winter, there is still life and potential beneath the surface. It conveys a
sense of hibernation and the idea that the tree is conserving its energy for future growth.

Question 13:
In what ways does the poem explore the concept of resilience?

Answer:
The poem explores resilience through the tree’s ability to endure and adapt to each season’s challenges.
In spring, it bursts with new growth; in summer, it thrives under the sun; in autumn, it gracefully sheds its
leaves; and in winter, it withstands the harsh conditions while waiting for renewal. The tree’s continuous
cycle of growth and rest exemplifies resilience.

Question 14:
How does the poet use sensory imagery to enhance the reader’s experience of the poem?

Answer:
The poet uses sensory imagery to enhance the reader’s experience by describing sights, sounds, and
sensations associated with each season. For example, in spring, the tree hums and its branches ride the
winds; in summer, it stretches in the sun and interacts with animals; in autumn, leaves turn gold and fall;
and in winter, the tree stands naked in storms. This vivid imagery helps readers visualize and feel the
tree’s journey through the seasons.

Question 15:
What is the significance of the tree singing in spring?

Answer:
The significance of the tree singing in spring is to symbolize renewal, joy, and the beginning of new life.
The singing represents the tree’s response to the warmth and growth of spring, expressing its vitality and
the rejuvenation that comes with the season. It sets the tone for the tree’s active and vibrant journey
through the seasons.

Question 16:
How does the poet use contrast between the seasons to highlight the changes in the tree?

Answer:
The poet uses contrast by depicting the tree in varying states of activity and dormancy across the
seasons. In spring, the tree is vibrant and full of life; in summer, it is strong and expansive; in autumn, it
begins to shed and prepare for rest; and in winter, it stands bare and dormant. This contrast highlights the
dramatic changes the tree undergoes throughout the year.

Question 17:
How does the tree’s interaction with animals differ in summer compared to other seasons?

Answer:
In summer, the tree is actively interacting with birds and animals that fly, run, climb, and jump from its
branches, indicating a time of vibrancy and connectivity with wildlife. This interaction contrasts with the
other seasons where the focus is more on the tree’s internal changes (spring’s budding, autumn’s
shedding, winter’s dormancy).

Question 18:
What significance does the imagery of “coins of gold” in autumn have?

Answer:
The imagery of “coins of gold” signifies the value and beauty of the falling leaves. It suggests that the
tree’s shedding of leaves is not just a loss but a rich, valuable part of the natural cycle, highlighting the
beauty in letting go and the richness of transformation.

Question 19:
How does the poem use the metaphor of sleep to describe the tree’s state in winter?

Answer:
The poem uses the metaphor of sleep to describe the tree’s dormant state in winter, suggesting rest and a
temporary pause in activity. Phrases like “life lies sleeping” and “woody dreams” imply that the tree is in a
state of rest, conserving energy and preparing for the eventual renewal in spring.
Question 20:
What does the poem suggest about the relationship between the tree and the earth?

Answer:
The poem suggests a deep and intrinsic relationship between the tree and the earth, particularly in
summer when the tree “digs its roots deep into the still centre of the spinning earth.” This imagery
conveys a sense of grounding, stability, and connection to the earth’s core, emphasizing the tree’s
integral place in the natural world.

Question 21
How does the tree’s experience in each season reflect broader themes of nature and life?

Answer:
The tree’s experience in each season reflects broader themes of nature’s cycles, resilience, and the
passage of time. It embodies the process of growth, flourishing, decline, and renewal that is inherent in
all living things. The poem emphasizes the beauty and inevitability of these cycles, portraying a
harmonious relationship between the tree and its environment.