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Chapter 8 of the CBSE English Beehive book for Class 9 includes a poem titled “On Killing a Tree.” Gieve Patel is the author of the poem. The detailed explanation and summary of the CBSE Class 9 English Beehive On Killing a Tree Poem can be found here. The explanation comes in the form of CBSE Class 9 English Notes, which will help students understand the poem’s meaning and central theme. They can also use these notes to prepare for their English paper. These were developed by experts in the field and are put in simple language for students to grasp quickly.
About the Poet
Gieve Patel is a poet, painter, and environmentalist in addition to being a poet. In his poem ‘On Killing a Tree,’ he expresses significant concern for nature and man’s horrible habit of chopping down trees for selfish motives.
The Theme of the Poem
The poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ reads like an instruction manual for killing a tree. The reader is informed that trees are living organisms. They are not cut but instead killed by uprooting the deeply embedded roots. The poet teaches us several things through the poem. To begin with, the poem depicts the courage and strength of trees, teaching us to be strong and determined. It then goes on to say that evils are similar to roots.
NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 8
They are deeply rooted within us, and even when we believe we have conquered them, they reappear. As a result, to eradicate such evil, we must put up our best efforts. Third, it tells us that we must complete all of our tasks and bring them to a proper end. Finally, it asks us not to take down trees that sustain our lives.
CBSE Class 9 English Poem – On Killing a Tree Summary
According to the poet, it takes a long time to destroy a tree. It can’t be done with a simple knife cut. The tree has grown slowly, and its roots have penetrated the earth deeply. The tree drew its nutrition from the ground and grew upwards by soaking up years of sunlight, air, and water. The tree’s leaves and branches emerged like a leprous disease.
Cutting and chopping a tree with an axe, according to the poet, is not enough to kill the tree. This will cause the tree pain, but it will not be enough to kill it. When a tree is cut or chopped, the sap is released. It’s comparable to how humans bleed when they’re hurt. With time, the bark will mend itself. New branches will grow and develop to their original size. Nature is capable of self-recovery.
The poet provides a method for killing a tree. The roots of the tree are firmly attached to the earth. To kill a tree, you must uproot it from the ground. A rope must be connected to the tree, and it must be pulled entirely out of the earth cave.
The tree’s power is in its roots, which are the most essential tree component. The tree will die if its life source, namely its roots, is exposed. As white liquid oozes out of the tree as the roots are pulled out, the poet describes the roots as white and wet. These roots are the most sensitive and hidden part of the tree, having spent many years underground.
As a result, more should be planted instead of cutting down trees. Aside from that, the poet teaches the reader a few things. The author describes the strength and resilience of trees in the poem, stating that they can withstand all types of adversity but refuse to die.
Similarly, to face any challenges in life, we must be strong and determined. The poem’s trees also represent the evil patterns that are deeply ingrained in us. We may believe we have gotten rid of them, yet they may make a reappearance until we put out our best efforts. Finally, the poem emphasizes the need to do our work efficiently and effectively.
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On Killing a Tree Summary – Explanation by Stanzas
Stanza 1
- The poem starts by stating that destroying a tree takes a long time. Stabbing a tree with a knife is insufficient to kill it. It is difficult to kill a tree since it has become strong by absorbing many elements. For a long time, it has consumed nutrients from the earth and absorbed sunlight, air, and water to the point that numerous leaves have grown on it.
Stanza 2
- The poet explains in this stanza that it takes a lot of work to kill a tree. According to him, a simple stab and chop won’t entirely kill the tree. It would only harm the tree, which would suffer as a result of its strength. The battling spirit of trees will soon regain its full power, and the injured bark will heal over time, allowing the tree to grow again. The tree will regrow green twigs and tiny branches and revert to its original size before being chopped or dead. As a result, it is difficult to destroy a tree using these measures.
Stanza 3
- In this stanza, the poet describes the specific process by which a tree can be killed. He claims that its roots must be destroyed from deep inside the earth’s soil to kill a tree completely. The tree’s strength comes from its roots. It provides support for the tree’s most fragile and sensitive parts. It must be pulled out entirely from deep inside the earth.
Stanza 4
- The poet claims in this stanza that once the roots are uprooted, they will be exposed to the sun and air. As a result of the heat, the roots begin to die. They turn brown, and their delicate surface hardens and dries. The roots lose their form with time and begin to twist. The tree will eventually die.
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FAQs
In the poem, the poet uses irony to convey a message. Discuss.
In the poem “On Killing a Tree,” the author explains the most successful method for killing a tree. The poem conveys that Mother Nature has regenerative qualities and cannot be destroyed by mentioning the method. Moreover, trees are necessary for human survival and must be protected.
How can a tree regain its former size?
Small branches and bushes will grow from the tree’s stump near the ground once the bleeding bark has healed. These tiny delicate tree branches will grow to their original size over time.
What Does ‘Anchoring Earth’ and ‘Earth Cave’ Mean?
The soil in which the tree’s roots are hidden is referred to as “anchoring earth.” The soil and roots combine to form a tight grip that keeps the tree grounded firmly, similar to an anchor. The term “earth cave” refers to a small area within the ground where roots are usually fixed. The region appears like a cave when the roots are pulled out.
This is the CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Poem On Killing a Tree Summary, which will help students understand the subject thoroughly. You may find various resources on our website, including CBSE notes, study materials, and chapter summaries.
Read Summaries of Other Poems here
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