On Killing A Tree Poem Lines Explanation & Summary Notes PDF

ON KILLING A TREE BY GIEVE PATEL - 9 TH ENGLISH POEM LINES, EXPLANATION & SUMMARY FOR GENERAL ENGLISH TNPSC GROUP 2 - 2A 2022 PRELIMINARY EXAM WITH MODEL MCQ PDF#Blog-79

Apr 05, 2022, By Careericons

In this article, we have complied with very important information on the "On Killing a Tree Poem Written by Gieve Patel" for the current TNPSC Group 2, 2A 2022 Preliminary Examination. Get complete study material for all General English syllabus wise with subject topics which help to clear this preliminary exam 2022.

1. Important Poem Lines in On Killing a Tree ,
2. Line By Line Simple Explanation & Summary of the poem - On Killing a Tree, &
3. Where to study information for all other poems.

TNPSC Group-II / IIA Services 2022 New Revised Syllabus (Objective Type Examination)

General English Syllabus-wise Study Materials

SSLC Standard For Preliminary Exam

Before going to the poem, check the prelims syllabus carefully and understand the importance of this poem. Where this poem comes under the "Part - B" of the General English of Revised New Syllabus of TNPSC G2 & 2A Services Examination 2022. Also, check the below links which will be useful for your upcoming examination.

Click Here → To Download TNPSC Group 2 & 2A 2022 - Official Notification PDF** Link

The importance of reading this poem "On Killing a Tree" written by "Gieve Patel" is clearly described in the revised new syllabus as shown below,

1. This poem comes under the "Part-B" of the General English New Revised Syllabus.
2. It's also noticed separately in the "List of Poems". Where it consists of 25 poems & this poem is listed as number 9.

General English Syllabus-Wise Study Materials which includes, Part - B (Poetry)

1. Figures of Speech for On Killing a Tree (Alliteration – Simile – Metaphor – Personification – Onomatopoeia – Anaphora – Rhyme Scheme – Rhyming Words – Repetition, etc.)
2. Poetry Appreciation for On Killing a Tree
3. Important Lines for On Killing a Tree

Source: Official TNPSC Group 2 2A - Syllabus & Notification 2022.

Let us discuss & read the poem On Killing a Tree written by Gieve Patel (Which is also a peom in Unit - 3 of 10th standard of Tamil Nadu Samacheer Books) in detail with all examples of model questions asked in the previous TNPSC examinations.

Line By Line Stanza-Wise Simple Explanation for the poem,
"On Killing a Tree"

Introduction:

On Killing A Tree by Gieve Patel is an ironic poem in which the poet describes how to properly kill a tree. The steps described by him are cruel and inhumane. Hence the poem is not exactly about killing a tree. Instead, the poet tries to invoke sympathy and pity for trees in the heart of readers.

The poem is also a critique of the modern world in which humans destroy nature by mass killing the trees for their benefit. The tree which has survived ages is uprooted and murdered by drying it.

Explanation for the Stanza-1:

In the first stanza, the poet says that it takes a long time to kill a tree. A simple jab (hit) of the knife cannot kill it. It has grown slowly consuming food from the earth, rising out of it, feeding upon the crust (top layer) of the earth, absorbing sunlight, air and water for years. The leaves have sprouted from its leprous hide (poisonous and hard layer).

Here, the poet explains why it is difficult to kill a try. According to him, the tree has taken years to grow. It has consumed resources from the earth and the sun. It is strong and cannot be easily killed.

Explanation for the Stanza-2:

According to the poet, we will need to hack and chop i.e. strike it violently with a sharp weapon. However, it alone cannot kill the tree. Neither it will inflict much pain on the tree. The bleeding (wounded) bark of the tree will heal and from close to the ground i.e. from the bottom, green twigs and miniature boughs (small branches) will rise again. And if we did not cut them, they will again grow and expand to the original size.

In this stanza the poet tells that mere cutting the stem and branches of the tree won't kill it as after some time, new twigs and branches will grow from the bottom and if we did not cut them, they will grow to the original size. Hence we would need to find some other and more cruel method of killing the tree.

Explanation for the Stanza-3:

This stanza begins with the word "No" which means the method discussed in the stanza above cannot kill the tree. For killing it, we need to pull the root of the tree out from the place where it has firmly held the earth. For taking out the roots, they need to be roped, tied and then pulled out.

We need to snap it (break) or pull it out entirely from the earth cave (where it was). These roots which are white, wet and most sensitive, are the real strength of trees. They have lived deep in the earth for years. Once they are taken out, the strength of a tree is gone.

So, in this stanza, the poet discusses the cruel way of killing a tree. According to him, the only way of killing a tree is to either break its roots or pull them out using a rope. They are the most sensitive part (often white in colour). When they are exposed to the sun, the tree dies).

Explanation for the Stanza-4:

After pulling the roots out, they are to be kept in sun and air which is hot (scorching). The roots which were white will become brown and hard. They will twist and wither (become dry) and finally the tree is dead. And our task is done.

The final stage involves the cruellest part. The roots which were sensitive and white will now be exposed to the outside environment. They will become hot, dry, hard, twisted and finally dead. Now the tree will never be able to grow again.

Conclusion:

As we can see, the poet has described every step involved in the process of killing. Humans are harsh towards nature. The trees which are helped the environment for ages are killed instantly. Indirectly, the poet gives the message of "Save trees, save the environment".

On Killing a Tree - Poem Summary

The poet observes how much time is required to kill a tree. A simple cut with a knife cannot kill a huge tree. A tree has roots deep down the earth, absorbing nutrients and using the sunlight, water, and air around for years, sprouting out leaves from it's disfigured bark. Although the tree is hacked and chopped, it isn't enough for killing a tree. The tree can withstand the pain. These injuries will heal and once again the new green twig will rise from the ground which will grow to bigger branches.

If this growth is unchecked, the tree will regain its original size. So in order to kill a tree, the roots which are anchored inside the ground have to be pulled out. To pull out the roots, it has to be roped and forced out of the earth with all the might. This leads to the exposure of the most sensitive region of the tree, which had been hidden and supporting the tree since its birth. Then when the roots are exposed to sunlight and air, it dies slowly by browning, hardening, twisting, and withering. Only then the tree is said to have perished.

Click Here → To Download TNPSC Group 2 & 2A 2022 - Official Notification PDF** Link

Refer: Read all TNPSC Group 2 & 2A subjects with study materials, Live MCQ test & quiz for all syllabus wise topics.