On Killing a Tree Class 9 English Beehive Poem 7 Summary is available here. This summary is created by the subject experts of CBSE Wale. The poem is included in the Beehive reader book, which is the main English textbook for CBSE Class 9 students. By reading this summary, students can understand the poem better and improve their English language skills.
On Killing a Tree Class 9 English Beehive Poem 7 Summary
On Killing a Tree Short Summary
The poem “On Killing a Tree” wants people to understand how important trees are. The poet wants to show that trees are living things and should be treated with care. The author compares trees to humans to make people realise that cutting down trees is like harming a human. Cutting a tree doesn’t mean it will die, it can grow back from where it was cut. But if someone wants to kill a tree, they need to completely remove it from the ground, and this will mean the tree will die because it won’t have the support it needs to grow.
On Killing a Tree Short Summary In Hindi
“On Killing a Tree” कविता चाहती है कि लोग समझें कि पेड़ कितने महत्वपूर्ण हैं। कवि दिखाना चाहता है कि पेड़ जीवित चीजें हैं और उनकी देखभाल की जानी चाहिए। लेखक लोगों को यह अहसास कराने के लिए पेड़ों की तुलना इंसानों से करता है कि पेड़ों को काटना इंसान को नुकसान पहुंचाने जैसा है। एक पेड़ को काटने का मतलब यह नहीं है कि वह मर जाएगा, वह वहीं से उग सकता है जहां से काटा गया था। लेकिन अगर कोई किसी पेड़ को मारना चाहता है, तो उन्हें उसे पूरी तरह से जमीन से हटाने की जरूरत है, और इसका मतलब यह होगा कि पेड़ मर जाएगा क्योंकि उसके पास बढ़ने के लिए आवश्यक समर्थन नहीं होगा।
On Killing a Tree Summary
The author of the poem “On Killing a Tree” explains how to kill a tree. Some people think that just cutting the tree is enough, but it’s not true. Trees grow slowly and are deeply rooted in the soil. They need nutrients from the soil to grow and become big. Trees also need water, air, and sunlight to make leaves and a strong trunk. The connection between the tree and the soil is very strong. So, just cutting a tree won’t kill it.
People cut and chop trees, but even that won’t kill them completely. When a tree is cut, it bleeds sap, like humans bleed when they are cut. The tree will heal over time and new branches will start growing. This means that trees have the ability to recover from being cut. To kill a tree, a tougher step is needed.
To kill a tree completely, the poet says we need to uproot it from the ground. The tree’s roots bind it to the soil, making it hard to separate. The roots are very important because they are the part that takes in water and nutrients. They are also very sensitive and hidden under the ground. To destroy the tree, the roots must be removed. The roots are damp and white in colour.
Uprooting a tree is the most important step in killing it. After uprooting, the tree will slowly die. No tree can survive after it has been uprooted. The wind and heat will cause the trunk to wither and dry up, and the trunk will turn brown and twist. Eventually, the tree will die. So, uprooting the roots is the most important step in killing a tree.
On Killing a Tree Summary In Hindi
लेखक बताता है कि एक पेड़ को कैसे मारना है। कुछ लोग सोचते हैं कि सिर्फ पेड़ को काट देना ही काफी है, लेकिन यह सच नहीं है। पेड़ धीरे-धीरे बढ़ते हैं और मिट्टी में गहराई तक जड़ें जमा लेते हैं। उन्हें बढ़ने और बड़ा होने के लिए मिट्टी से पोषक तत्वों की आवश्यकता होती है। पेड़ों को पत्ते और मजबूत तना बनाने के लिए पानी, हवा और धूप की भी जरूरत होती है। पेड़ और मिट्टी का रिश्ता बहुत गहरा होता है। इसलिए सिर्फ एक पेड़ को काटने से उसकी मौत नहीं होगी।
लोग पेड़ों को काटते और काटते हैं, लेकिन इससे भी वे पूरी तरह से नहीं मरेंगे। जब एक पेड़ काटा जाता है, तो उसका रस निकलता है, जैसे इंसानों को काटने पर खून निकलता है। पेड़ समय के साथ ठीक हो जाएगा और नई शाखाएं बढ़ने लगेंगी। इसका मतलब है कि पेड़ों में काटे जाने से उबरने की क्षमता होती है। एक पेड़ को मारने के लिए एक कठिन कदम की जरूरत है।
एक पेड़ को पूरी तरह से मारने के लिए कवि कहते हैं कि हमें इसे जमीन से उखाड़ना होगा। पेड़ की जड़ें इसे मिट्टी से बांध देती हैं, जिससे इसे अलग करना मुश्किल हो जाता है। जड़ें बहुत महत्वपूर्ण हैं क्योंकि वे वह हिस्सा हैं जो पानी और पोषक तत्व लेती हैं। ये बेहद संवेदनशील भी होते हैं और जमीन के नीचे छिपे होते हैं। पेड़ को नष्ट करने के लिए जड़ों को हटाना होगा। जड़ें नम और सफेद रंग की होती हैं।
किसी पेड़ को उखाड़ना उसे मारने में सबसे महत्वपूर्ण कदम है। जड़ से उखड़ने के बाद पेड़ धीरे-धीरे मर जाएगा। कोई भी पेड़ जड़ से उखड़ने के बाद जीवित नहीं रह सकता। हवा और गर्मी के कारण तना मुरझा जाएगा और सूख जाएगा, और तना भूरा और मुड़ जाएगा। आखिरकार, पेड़ मर जाएगा। इसलिए, किसी पेड़ को मारने के लिए जड़ों को उखाड़ना सबसे महत्वपूर्ण कदम है।
The Explanation of the Poem “On Killing a Tree”
Stanza 1
It takes much time to kill a tree,
Not a simple jab of the knife
Will do it. It has grown
Slowly consuming the earth,
Rising out of it, feeding
Upon its crust, absorbing
Years of sunlight, air, water,
And out of its leprous hide
Sprouting leaves.
Important Word Meaning
Jab: “Jab” is a verb that means to poke or thrust something with a sharp object, typically a finger or a pointed tool like a knife. In the context of the poem “On Killing a Tree,” the poet uses the word “jab” to describe a simple cut made to a tree.
Crust: Here “crust” refers to the outer layer of the earth, where the tree has been growing and taking in nutrients from the soil.
Leprous hide: In the context of the stanza, the poet uses this phrase to describe the appearance of the tree’s bark as rough, scaly, and unattractive, just like the appearance of the skin of a person suffering from Leprosy. The word “hide” refers to the tree’s bark, which is like the skin of the tree, covering and protecting its trunk.
Sprouting leaves: The phrase “sprouting leaves” in the context of the stanza refers to the growth of new leaves on the tree. The poet is highlighting the fact that the tree is alive and growing, and that it takes a long time for a tree to grow and mature to the point where it can produce leaves.
Explanation
In the first stanza of the poem “On Killing a Tree”, the poet is saying that killing a tree is not an easy task and it takes a lot of time. Just cutting the tree with a knife won’t do the job. The reason for this is that the tree has grown slowly over a long time, taking in nutrients from the soil, and growing taller and bigger. The tree has also taken in years of sunlight, air, and water which have helped it grow. The tree’s trunk is compared to a “leprous hide,” meaning it has rough and scaly bark. Despite its rough exterior, the tree is still able to grow and sprout leaves. Overall, the stanza emphasises the resilience and longevity of trees, and how they require a lot of effort to be destroyed.
Poetic Devices
Alliteration: The repetition of the “s” sound in “slowly consuming the earth” and “absorbing years of sunlight, air, water” emphasises the slow and steady growth of the tree.
Metaphor: The poet has compared the discoloration of leaves with the skin disease ‘leprosy’ in humans by using the phase ‘leprous hide’.
Imagery: The use of vivid and descriptive language helps to create a sensory image of the tree, such as “rising out of” the earth and “absorbing years of sunlight, air, water”.
Enjambment: The sentences are being continued to the next line without a break. It has been used throughout the stanza.
Stanza 2
So hack and chop
But this alone won’t do it.
Not so much pain will do it.
The bleeding bark will heal
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
Miniature boughs
Which if unchecked will expand again
To former size.
Important Word Meaning
Hack and chop: Hack and chop refer to cutting and chopping of a tree’s bark or branches.
Bleeding bark: “Bleeding bark” refers to the sap that flows out of a tree after it has been cut or injured. This sap is important for the tree’s survival as it helps to protect the tree from insects and disease, and it also helps to heal the wound. The sap can often appear like blood, hence the term “bleeding bark.”
Heal: In this context, “heal” means to repair the damage caused by cutting the bark of a tree. It refers to the process by which the tree gradually regenerates the damaged area, forming new tissue and gradually closing the wound.
Curled green twigs: “Curled green twigs” refer to the new growth that emerges from the base of the tree after it has been cut or chopped. These new growths are small, thin and usually green in color, forming small twisted branches.
Miniature boughs: “Miniature boughs” refer to small branches that grow from the tree’s trunk or larger branches. These branches are still young and small in size, and they have not yet grown into full branches with many leaves.
Unchecked: “Unchecked” in this context means not controlled or not stopped. The author is suggesting that if the curled green twigs and miniature boughs that sprout from the tree after it is hacked and chopped are not controlled, they will grow and expand to their former size again, making the effort to kill the tree unsuccessful.
Explanation
The second stanza of the poem “On Killing a Tree” is talking about how simply cutting and chopping a tree won’t kill it. Even if it causes the tree pain and makes it bleed, the tree can still heal and grow new branches from close to the ground. These new branches can grow into new, miniature boughs which can eventually expand into their former size. This means that simply hacking and chopping at a tree won’t be enough to kill it completely.
Poetic Devices
Assonance: The repetition of the “o” sound in “not so much” and “won’t do it” creates a musical effect.
Alliteration: It is the repetition of a letter at the start of closely placed words. The repetition of the letter ‘b’ in bleeding bark.
Metaphor: The bleeding bark sap is compared to human bleeding, which creates a vivid image in the reader’s mind.
Enjambment: The sentences are being continued to the next line without a break. It has been used throughout the stanza.
Personification: The poet has personified the trees by using the word ‘bleeding’ for them.
Imagery: The imagery of “curled green twigs” and “miniature boughs” provides a visual description of the new growth of the tree.
Stanza 3
No,
The root is to be pulled out –
Out of the anchoring earth;
It is to be roped, tied,
And pulled out – snapped out
Or pulled out entirely,
Out from the earth-cave,
And the strength of the tree exposed
The source, white and wet,
The most sensitive, hidden
For years inside the earth.
Important Word Meaning
Pulled Out: “Pulled out” means to forcibly remove something from a particular position or location. In the context of the stanza, it refers to removing the root of the tree from the earth in order to kill the tree.
Anchoring: “Anchoring” refers to the action of securing something firmly in place, or providing a stable base for it. In the context of the stanza, the word “anchoring” refers to the way in which the roots of the tree are securely attached to the earth and provide a stable foundation for the tree.
Roped: “Roped” refers to the action of tying or securing something with a rope. In the context of the stanza, the root of the tree is being tied with a rope to prepare for the process of pulling it out.
Tied: “Tied” means to fasten or secure something with a rope, string, or cord by making a knot or bow. In the context of the given stanza, the tree’s roots need to be tied so that they can be pulled out of the earth.
Snapped out: “Snapped out” means to break or separate something from its base or connection with a quick and sudden force. In the context of the stanza, it refers to pulling out the root of the tree with such force that it breaks from its connection with the earth.
Earth cave: The phrase “earth-cave” is a metaphorical description of the ground or soil in which the roots of the tree are deeply embedded. It implies a sense of security and stability that the tree derives from being rooted firmly in the earth.
The source: In the context of the stanza, “the source” refers to the root of the tree.
White and wet: “White and wet” is a phrase used to describe the exposed source of the tree’s strength after its root has been pulled out from the earth. The source refers to the root itself, which is often hidden and unseen, and white and wet describe its appearance and texture once it has been exposed.
Explanation
The third stanza of the poem “On Killing a Tree” is describing the process of completely destroying a tree. It emphasises that cutting the trunk or branches won’t kill the tree entirely because it can regrow again. The only way to kill a tree is to uproot it by pulling out its roots. The roots are tightly connected with the Earth and soil, so it requires a significant amount of effort to uproot them. The poet suggests that the roots must be roped, tied and pulled out entirely from the Earth’s cave. By doing so, the strength of the tree will be exposed, and the hidden, most sensitive part of the tree, which is the white and wet source of nourishment, will be revealed.
Poetic Devices
Alliteration: The phrase “white and wet” contains alliteration of the “w” sound.
Repetition: The phrase ‘pulled out’ and the word ‘out’ has been repeated.
Personification: The strength of the tree is personified when the stanza says “And the strength of the tree exposed.”
Enjambment: The sentences are being continued to the next line without a break. It has been used throughout the stanza.
Sensory language: The words “white and wet” appeal to the reader’s sense of sight and touch.
Imagery: The words “anchoring earth,” “roped,” “tied,” and “snapped out” create a vivid image of the root being forcefully removed from the ground.
Stanza 4
Then the matter
Of scorching and choking
In sun and air,
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering,
And then it is done.
Important Word Meaning
Scorching: Scorching refers to the process of burning or heating something intensely, causing damage or discoloration to it.
Choking: In this context, “choking” refers to the process of depriving the tree of necessary resources like water, nutrients, and air. This can be done intentionally by cutting off the tree’s access to these resources or by subjecting it to harsh environmental conditions.
Browning: In this context, “browning” refers to the process of the leaves or branches turning brown due to exposure to heat and lack of water, which happens after the tree has been uprooted.
Hardening: “Hardening” refers to the process of becoming hard or rigid. In the context of the stanza, it may refer to the drying and hardening of the wood after it has been removed from the tree and left to dry in the sun and air.
Twisting: In this context, “twisting” likely refers to the way the plant or tree contorts and curls as it dries out and dies. It can also refer to the way the remaining branches and twigs may become tangled and distorted.
Withering: The term “withering” means to dry up, shrivel, or fade away, often due to a lack of moisture or nutrients. In the context of the stanza, it implies that after scorching and choking in the sun and air, the tree’s leaves dry up and fall off, and the tree eventually dies.
Explanation
The fourth stanza of the poem “On Killing a Tree” describes the final stage of the process of killing a tree. Once the roots have been pulled out, the tree is exposed to the sun and air, which causes it to wither and die. The stanza uses sensory language to describe how the tree browns, hardens, twists, and withers until it is completely dead. The phrase “scorching and choking” could be interpreted as a metaphor for the tree’s struggle to survive in the harsh conditions, and its ultimate defeat. Overall, the stanza portrays a sense of finality and inevitability as the tree meets its end.
Poetic Devices
Repetition: The phrase “and” is repeated throughout the stanza, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasising the progression of the process being described.
Imagery: The words “scorching,” “choking,” “browning,” “hardening,” “twisting,” and “withering” all create vivid images of the process of drying and ageing.
Poet of the Poem “On Killing a Tree”
The poem “On Killing a Tree” is written by the Indian poet Gieve Patel.
About the Poet of the Poem “On Killing a Tree”
Gieve Patel was an Indian poet and novelist. He was born on December 18, 1940, in Mumbai, India. Patel studied medicine at Grant Medical College, Mumbai, and worked as a doctor for several years before turning to art and literature full-time. He is best known for his poetry, which often explores themes of violence, death, and social injustice, and his plays, which have been performed in India and abroad. Patel’s other notable works include the poetry collections “How Do You Withstand, Body” and “Mirrored, Mirroring,” and the novel “The Bestseller.” He has received numerous awards and honours for his contributions to Indian literature, including the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in 2016.
Theme of the Poem “On Killing a Tree”
The theme of the poem “On Killing a Tree” by Gieve Patel is the destructive nature of humans and their power to cause harm to the natural world. The poem presents a metaphorical portrayal of a tree and the methods used to destroy it. The poet emphasises the immense strength and resilience of the tree, and the difficulty involved in killing it. The tree is depicted as a living organism, with its own will to survive and ability to regenerate. The poem highlights the consequences of human actions and the irreversible damage caused to the environment. It also serves as a warning against the short-sightedness of humans and the need for sustainable and responsible behaviour towards the natural world.
Main Idea of the Poem “On Killing a Tree”
The main idea of the poem “On Killing a Tree” is the forceful and violent process of killing a tree and the resilience of nature. The poem describes the various ways in which a tree can be killed, from cutting its branches and trunk to uprooting its roots from the ground. However, the poem also highlights the resilience of nature, as even after the tree is killed, new green twigs and miniature boughs rise from its base. The poem also suggests that human efforts to destroy nature are ultimately futile and that nature will always find a way to persist and regenerate itself.
Moral of the Poem “On Killing a Tree”
The poem “On Killing a Tree” by Gieve Patel offers several moral lessons. One of the main lessons is that nature is resilient and can recover even from the most severe damage. The poem also highlights the consequences of human actions on the environment and the need to consider the impact of our actions on nature. It also highlights the importance of persistence and determination in achieving a goal. Additionally, the poem highlights the idea that sometimes, in order to create something new, we must first destroy or let go of something old.
Message of the Poem “On Killing a Tree”
The message of the poem “On Killing a Tree” is that the act of killing a tree is not as simple as one might think. The poem highlights the resilience and determination of trees, and how they can continue to grow even after being subjected to various methods of destruction. It also emphasises the importance of understanding the root cause of a problem and taking appropriate measures to address it, rather than simply treating the symptoms. Overall, the poem encourages readers to appreciate the value and beauty of trees, and to take a more thoughtful and responsible approach towards nature.
Conclusion of the Poem “On Killing a Tree”
The poem “On Killing a Tree” by Gieve Patel describes the arduous task of killing a tree and the resilience of nature. The speaker explains that simply cutting the tree down will not be enough to kill it. The root must be pulled out entirely, and even then, the tree may still grow back. The poem highlights the strength and perseverance of nature, which continues to strive for growth and life, even in the face of adversity. The poem’s message is that nature is resilient and should be treated with respect and care, as it has the ability to recover from even the most destructive forces.
Rhyme Scheme of the poem “On Killing a Tree”
The poem “On Killing a Tree” by Gieve Patel does not have a regular rhyme scheme. The poem is written in free verse.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To The Poem On Killing a Tree
Question 1. Who is the poet of the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
Answer. The poet of the poem “On Killing a Tree” is Gieve Patel.
Question 2. What is the central idea of the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
Answer. The poem describes the process of killing a tree and reflects on the destructive nature of human actions.
Question 3. What is the tone of the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
Answer. The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative.
Question 4. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
Answer. There is no rhyme scheme in the poem “On Killing a Tree”.
Question 5. What is the meaning of the phrase “anchoring earth” in the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
Answer. The phrase refers to the deep roots of the tree that anchor it to the ground.
Question 6. What does the poet mean by “the most sensitive, hidden for years inside the earth” in the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
Answer. The poet is referring to the root of the tree, which has been hidden beneath the ground and is now being exposed.
Question 7. What is the meaning of the phrase “And then it is done” in the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
Answer. The phrase emphasizes the finality of the process of killing a tree.
Question 8. What is the message of the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
Answer. The poem highlights the destructive nature of human actions and encourages readers to consider the impact of their actions on the environment.
Question 9. What is the significance of the metaphor of the tree as a “living being” in the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
Answer. The metaphor emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things and encourages readers to consider the impact of their actions on the natural world.
Question 10. What is the process of killing a tree described in the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
Answer. The poem describes the process of uprooting a tree and exposing its sensitive root system to the sun and air, causing it to wither and die.
Question 11. What does the phrase “curled green twigs” in the poem “On Killing a Tree” refer to?
Answer. The phrase refers to the new growth that can emerge from a tree even after it has been killed.
Question 12. What is the significance of the title of the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
Answer. The title foreshadows the content of the poem and signals the destructive nature of the human actions described within it.
Question 13. What is the mood of the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
Answer. The mood of the poem is somber and reflective.
Question 14. What is the main theme of the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
Answer. The main theme of the poem is the destructive impact of human actions on the natural world.