The Trees
Questions I
Q.1. Find in the first stanza three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest.
Ans: The three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest are:
Birds cannot sit on trees.
Insects cannot hide in the branches.
The sun cannot bury its feet in the forest’s shadow.
Q.2. What picture do these words create in your mind: “sun bury its feet in shadow”? What could the poet mean by the sun’s feet?
Ans: These words create the image of sunlight filtering through trees and forming shadows on the ground. The “sun’s feet” refer to the sun’s rays. In a forest, these rays are partially hidden by shadows, giving the impression that the sun is burying its feet in them. Without trees, sunlight would fall directly on the ground without any shade.
Questions II
Q.1. Where are the trees in the poem? What do their roots, leaves, and twigs do?
Ans: In the poem, the trees are confined inside the poet’s house.
Their roots struggle all night to break free from the cracks in the veranda floor.
Their leaves press against the glass, trying to move towards the outside light.
Their twigs become stiff due to the effort of escaping.
Q.2. What does the poet compare their branches to?
Ans: The poet compares the branches to patients who have just been discharged from a hospital. As they move out, they appear weak, unsteady, and hesitant, like patients stepping into the outside world after a long confinement.
Questions III
Q.1. How does the poet describe the moon:
(a) At the beginning of the third stanza?
Ans: The poet describes the moon as whole and bright, shining clearly in the open sky.
(b) At the end of the stanza? What causes this change?
Ans: At the end, the moon appears broken into pieces like a shattered mirror. This change happens because the moving tree branches partially block the moonlight, making it appear fragmented.
Q.2. What happens to the house when the trees move out of it?
Ans: When the trees move out, the glass panes break, and the soft whispers of the trees disappear. The house becomes silent and empty.
Q.3. Why does the poet not mention “the departure of the forest from the house” in her letter?
Ans: The poet does not mention it because people generally ignore nature and its struggles. She feels that others may not understand or appreciate the significance of the trees returning to their natural environment.
Questions IV
Q.1. Does the poem present a conflict between man and nature? Compare it with A Tiger in the Zoo.
Ans: Yes, the poem presents a conflict between humans and nature. Humans confine trees for decoration while destroying forests. This restricts their natural freedom. Similarly, in A Tiger in the Zoo, the tiger is kept in a cage and longs for freedom in the wild. Both poems highlight the suffering caused by restricting natural beings.
Q.2. If trees are seen as a metaphor for human beings, what new meaning does the poem convey?
Ans: If trees represent humans, the poem suggests that people also feel trapped in the limits of modern life. Despite material comforts, they long for freedom, peace, and a connection with nature. It reflects a desire to break free from restrictions and live a more natural and meaningful life.