The Trees

 

COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS

1. In the poem “The Trees”, the poet compares the trees to “newly discharged patients”. Highlight any two reasons for the same.

2.The process of “moving out” was tedious for the trees. Support the statement with reference to the poem.

3.The trees have been shown to have human qualities in the poem. Justify the statement with any the instances from the poem.

4.The poet symbolizes women as trees not as some other element of nature or thing. What does this suggest?

5.The poet says that her ‘head is full of whispers’, wherein the ‘whispers’ symbolize forces of negativity and restriction. Explain why the poet says this.

6. Change never comes easy. Justify the quote in the context of the poem “The Trees”

7.The forest undergoes tremendous transformation overnight. Discuss with reference to the poem “The Trees”

8.The poet uses trees as a symbol for women breaking patriarchal notions. Do you agree? Why/Why not?

9. The poem ends on a note of victory. Justify with reference to the literal and symbolic meaning.

10.Imagine you are a senior journalist covering this event of the trees moving. Pen down a 120 words’ article for the weekly newspaper column titled- ‘Change is inevitable’ Include a brief account of your observation as well as your perspectives.

11. Imagine that the tallest oak in ‘Trees’ and the hemlock tree in ‘Dust of Snow’ share a conversation about their speakers (The ‘I’ in the poems). Write this conversation between the two trees.

12. Sometimes moving out of a comfort space is extremely important for the development, independence and growth. How is this portrayed in the poem?

13. The poem ‘Trees’ appears to be about trees, environment, deforestation and afforestation. On a deeper level we discover that Adrienne Rich is expressing her concerned about women and their emancipation. Elaborate with reference to the poem.

14.Why do you think the poet does not mention “the departure of the forest from the house” in her letters? (Could it be that we are often silent about important happenings that are so unexpected that they embarrass us?

15.Does the poem present a conflict between man and nature? Compare it with A Tiger in the Zoo. Is the poet suggesting that plants and trees, used for ‘interior decoration’ in cities while forests are cut down, are ‘imprisoned’, and need to ‘break out’?