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On-Killing-a-Tree (1).pdf class 9 cbsc ncr
- 1. On Killing aTree by Gieve Patel A powerful poem that explores humanity's relentless destruction of nature and the resilience of life.
- 2. Introduction to thePoem About Gieve Patel Gieve Patel is an Indian poet, playwright, and painter known for his environmental consciousness and social commentary. Written in the 1960s, this poem uses dark irony to protest deforestation and environmental destruction. The Importance of Trees Produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide Prevent soil erosion and maintain ecosystems Provide shelter and food for wildlife Support human survival and environmental balance
- 3. Stanza 1: TheResilience of Trees "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." Key Message Trees are deeply rooted in life, drawing sustenance from earth, air, water, and sunlight over many years. They cannot be killed easily. Tone Ironic and instructional, as if teaching the "proper" way to destroy nature, which actually emphasizes its cruelty. Multiple Choice Questions Q1: What does "leprous hide" refer to? a) The diseased appearance of tree bark b) The smooth texture of leaves c) The roots underground d) The flowers blooming Q2: How long does it take to kill a tree according to the poem? a) A few minutes b) Much time and effort c) One simple cut d) A single day Q3: What has the tree been consuming to grow? a) Only water b) Earth, sunlight, air, and water c) Just sunlight d) Chemical fertilizers
- 4. Stanza 1: WordMeanings & Literary Devices Word Meanings Jab A quick, sharp thrust or stab with a pointed object Consuming Using up, eating, or absorbing nutrients Crust The outer layer or surface of the earth Leprous Resembling leprosy; having a diseased, discolored, or rough appearance Hide The bark or outer covering of the tree Sprouting Growing or producing new shoots and leaves Literary Devices Metaphor "Consuming the earth" - The tree is compared to something eating, showing how it draws nutrients from soil Personification "Feeding upon its crust" - The tree is given human-like qualities of feeding and eating Imagery "Leprous hide sprouting leaves" - Vivid visual description of rough bark with fresh green growth Irony The instructional tone teaches destruction, but actually highlights the tree's strength and resilience
- 5. Stanza 2: TheTree's Healing Power "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." Hacking & Chopping Even violent cutting cannot fully destroy a tree Healing Bark The wounded bark recovers and regenerates naturally New Growth Fresh twigs and branches emerge from near the ground Full Recovery If left alone, the tree will return to its original size Multiple Choice Questions Q4: What happens to the bleeding bark? a) It dies immediately b) It heals and recovers c) It remains wounded forever d) It falls off completely Q5: What grows from close to the ground? a) Flowers b) Fruits c) Curled green twigs d) Deep roots Q6: What will happen if the new growth is unchecked? a) The tree will die b) It will remain small c) It will expand to former size d) Nothing will change
- 6. Stanza 2: WordMeanings & Literary Devices Word Meanings Hack To cut with rough, heavy blows using an axe or similar tool Chop To cut into pieces with repeated sharp blows Bleeding Bark The wounded surface of the tree that oozes sap, like blood from a wound Curled Twisted or bent in a spiral or curved shape Miniature Boughs Small branches that will grow into larger ones Unchecked Not stopped, controlled, or prevented from growing Literary Devices 01 Personification "The bleeding bark" - The tree is given human qualities, as if it can bleed like a living being 02 Imagery "Curled green twigs, miniature boughs" - Creates a vivid picture of new life emerging from destruction 03 Repetition "Won't do it... won't do it" - Emphasizes that surface damage cannot kill the tree 04 Metaphor "Bleeding bark will heal" - Compares the tree's recovery to human healing 05 Alliteration "Hack and chop" - Repetition of 'h' and 'ch' sounds creates harsh, violent imagery
- 7. Stanza 3: TheComplete Process "And the strength of the tree exposed The source, white and wet, The most sensitive, hidden For years inside the earth." 1 Hidden Source The root - most sensitive part 2 Protected Underground Hidden for years in earth's safety 3 White and Wet Vulnerable when exposed to air 4 True Strength The foundation of tree's life force The poet reveals that the root is the tree's true source of strength - white, wet, and sensitive, hidden safely underground for years. Multiple Choice Questions Q7: What is described as "white and wet"? a) The leaves b) The bark c) The root/source d) The flowers Q8: Where has the source been hidden? a) In the branches b) Inside the earth for years c) Under the bark d) In the leaves Q9: What quality does the source have? a) Hard and strong b) Most sensitive c) Colorful d) Dried out
- 8. Stanza 3: WordMeanings & Literary Devices Word Meanings Strength The source of power and life force; the ability to resist destruction Exposed Uncovered, revealed, or made visible to air and light Source The root, which is the origin and foundation of the tree's life Sensitive Delicate, vulnerable, easily hurt or damaged Literary Devices Metaphor "The strength of the tree" - The root system is metaphorically described as the tree's strength and power Imagery "White and wet" - Creates a visual picture of the pale, moist root freshly pulled from earth Symbolism The root symbolizes the hidden foundation of life that must be destroyed for complete death Irony The "source" of strength is actually the most vulnerable and sensitive part when exposed Contrast The protected underground existence contrasts sharply with the exposed, vulnerable state above ground
- 9. Stanza 4: TheFinal Destruction "Then the matter Of scorching and choking In sun and air, Browning, hardening, Twisting, withering, And then it is done." 1 Scorching Burning and drying in the harsh sun 2 Choking Suffocating without earth and water 3 Browning Losing green color, turning brown and lifeless 4 Hardening Becoming stiff and brittle 5 Withering Shrinking and dying completely 6 Done The tree is finally killed Only after the root is exposed to sun and air, undergoing a process of scorching, browning, hardening, twisting, and withering, is the tree truly dead. Multiple Choice Questions Q10: What kills the tree finally? a) Cutting the branches b) Scorching and choking the root in sun and air c) Removing the leaves d) Watering it too much Q11: What happens to the exposed root? a) It grows stronger b) It remains unchanged c) It browns, hardens, twists, and withers d) It produces new leaves Q12: What is the tone of "And then it is done"? a) Celebratory b) Matter-of-fact and final c) Hopeful d) Confused
- 10. Answer Key &Poem Summary MCQ Answer Key Q1: A Diseased bark Q2: B Much time Q3: B Earth, sun, air, water Q4: B It heals Q5: C Green twigs Q6: C Expand to former size Q7: C The root Q8: B Inside earth Q9: B Most sensitive Q10: B Scorching root Q11: C Browns & withers Q12: B Matter-of-fact Poem Summary "On Killing a Tree" is a powerful environmental poem that uses dark irony to protest deforestation. The poet describes the complete process of killing a tree, emphasizing its remarkable resilience and deep connection to earth. The poem's instructional tone ironically highlights the cruelty of destroying nature while celebrating the tree's incredible will to survive. It's a powerful commentary on environmental destruction. Growth Years of absorbing earth, sun, air, water Surface Damage Hacking and chopping the trunk Regeneration Bleeding bark heals, new twigs sprout Root Exposure The sensitive source pulled out Final Death Scorching, browning, withering