On Killing a Tree

                                                            On Killing a Tree

Competency based Q&Ans

 

Q1. It takes much time to kill a tree’ – Why does it take much time to kill a tree? According to the poet, how is the tree finally killed?
Ans. A tree grows slowly by absorbing nutrients from the soil. Through time, it has consumed the Earth’s crust and also taken in water, sunshine, and air from deep-rooted roots. It has the power to stop the bleeding in its bark. It has the resilience to withstand any attack from the outside. Thus, cutting down a tree takes a long time.
A tree cannot be killed by a single stab attack. Neither hacking nor chopping is sufficient to kill a tree. Roots must be dragged out by tying a rope in order to kill a tree. They must be exposed to scorching heat and dry air. The tree will eventually perish after the roots become brown, hard, twisted, and withered.

Q2. How does a tree offer resistance to its destruction? How does its resistance fail?
Ans. A tree is extremely tough to kill. Simple knife jabs, hacking, and chopping will simply cause discomfort and cause the tree’s bark to bleed. It will gradually bounce back. The stem will occasionally sprout into curled green twigs and branches. They will enlarge to take on their previous form if it is left uncontrolled. Hence, a tree provides strong protection against destruction.
When the roots of a tree are uprooted by attaching a rope, the tree loses its ability to resist. All strength comes from the roots. Roots, which are white and moist, are the tree’s most delicate components. They become burned, shrivelled, and ultimately the tree gets killed when the roots are exposed to scorching sun and dry air.

Q3. How does the poet describe the growth of a tree over the years? What are the different steps taken for killing a tree?
Ans. In his poem “On Killing a Tree,” the poet Gieve Patel discusses how a tree grows slowly after absorbing nutrients from the soil. It feeds upon the upper crust of the earth. Over time, it absorbs water, air, and sunlight. A tree grows slowly in this way, absorbing all the nutrients from the soil and the atmosphere.

“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 leperous hide
Sprouting leaves.”

The roots must be taken out by tying a rope in order to kill a tree. Then they are left out in the open which causes burning and choking to the roots of the tree. The tree will perish if the roots become brown, hard, twisted, and withered.

Q4. Justify the title of the poem ‘On Killing A Tree’.
Ans. Gieve Patel’s concern for the environment is evident from the poem’s title, “On Killing a Tree.” The tree is a kind friend of man, and such friends are annihilated by the harshness and selfishness of man. The poet describes the entire process of cutting down a tree in a sarcastic manner. Cutting, hacking, and chopping with a sharp object will not cut down the tree. It needs to be pulled out of the ground. The roots are then exposed to the air and sun for withering, choking, and burning. After a protracted process of anguish and suffering, the mission of killing a tree is finally carried out. The irony in the title refers to human stupidity and carelessness. The poet wants to convey a message through the poem to his readers to be sympathetic to nature. Hence the title is appropriate.

Q5. Write why people cut trees. Are there other alternatives to trees for them?
Ans. There are many needs that people have that trees can meet. Trees provide them with furnishings and fuel for their fires. They receive a variety of foods and medicines. Although the indigenous people are totally reliant on trees, they never cut them down. But, as they have no other options, the common people cut down trees. However, they shouldn’t destroy the beauty of nature by felling trees. They should also find other sources to meet their demands. Encouragement should be given to them to use steel sheets for their windows and doors. All assistance should be provided to the tribal people in order to lessen their reliance on trees. They should be held accountable for maintaining and growing more trees in their neighbourhoods. Besides, people should be made aware of the environmental problems which are created after cutting down trees. We have to protect trees at any cost