What do you learn about the questions of a tree from the poem on killi...
Introduction:
In the poem "On Killing a Tree" by Gieve Patel, the speaker explores the resilience and determination of a tree to survive despite the hardships it faces. The poem describes the various methods employed by the speaker to kill the tree and the tree's eventual demise.
Hardships Faced by the Tree:
The tree in the poem is depicted as a formidable force that refuses to succumb to the challenges it encounters. Some of the hardships faced by the tree are:
1. Sunlight deprivation: The speaker mentions that even when the tree is deprived of sunlight due to the construction of a building nearby, it continues to grow. This shows the tree's resilience and ability to adapt to unfavorable conditions.
2. Cutting off its branches: The speaker attempts to kill the tree by cutting off its branches. However, the tree responds by sprouting new shoots and growing again. This highlights the tree's determination to survive and regenerate.
3. Poisoning the roots: The speaker tries to kill the tree by poisoning its roots with copper sulphate. Despite the poison, the tree continues to grow and thrive. This demonstrates the tree's ability to withstand adversity and overcome obstacles.
The Tree's Demise:
Despite the tree's resilience, the speaker eventually succeeds in killing it. The poem describes the final method employed by the speaker to end the tree's life:
1. Ring-barking: The speaker ring-barks the tree, which involves removing a strip of bark from all around the trunk. This cuts off the flow of nutrients and water, leading to the tree's eventual death.
2. Slow decay: With the flow of nutrients severed, the tree starts to decay slowly. The process of decay is depicted as a slow and painful death for the tree.
3. Final demise: Eventually, the tree dies and its decaying remains are left as a testament to the speaker's victory over nature.
Conclusion:
In "On Killing a Tree," the poem highlights the tenacity and strength of a tree in the face of adversity. Despite the hardships it endures, the tree continues to grow and thrive. However, the speaker ultimately succeeds in killing the tree through ring-barking, leading to its slow decay and final demise. The poem emphasizes the power of human intervention over nature but also showcases the tree's remarkable resilience.
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