What symbolic comparison does Adrienne Rich make between women and trees in her poem?

Rich compares women to trees, suggesting that they have been confined indoors but are now ready to venture out and fulfill their purpose.

The roots of the trees in the poem symbolize ___ striving to detach from the veranda floor.

Women

True or False: The absence of women in the poem is depicted as leaving the forest full and vibrant.

False. The absence of women has left the forest empty, depriving birds and insects of shelter.

In the poem, what do the branches and leaves of the trees represent?

The branches and leaves represent the desire for freedom, akin to discharged patients leaving a hospital.

Fill in the blank: At night, the poet perceives the trees' desperate movement and hears the breaking of ___ as they attempt to break free.

Glass

How does the presence of the trees impact the moon in the poem?

As the trees reach the forest, their collective presence overshadows the moon, creating the illusion that it is breaking into pieces.

What do the trees moving out symbolize in the poem?

The movement of the trees symbolizes the restoration of nature and the critique of human attempts to confine nature within artificial spaces.

The forest was described as empty because it lacked ___ and ___ before the trees moved.

Birds and insects

True or False: The speaker believes that the trees are moving out to restore the natural balance in the forest.

True

Describe the imagery used to represent the trees' movement in stanza 2.

The trees are depicted as newly discharged patients, struggling and half-dazed, as they work to free themselves from confinement and reach the forest.

Fill in the blank: The roots work all night to disengage themselves from the cracks in the ___ floor.

Veranda

What symbolism is represented by the trees' movement towards freedom in the poem?

The trees symbolize a desire for liberation and a return to their natural habitat, contrasting their confinement under the roof.

The speaker notices the scent of ___ and ___ from the trees, enhancing her sensory experience of the night.

Leaves and lichens

True or False: The poet frequently mentions the trees in her letters.

False. The poet rarely mentions the trees in her letters.

How does the imagery of the moon relate to the trees in the poem?

The taller trees seem to break the moon into pieces, creating a visual metaphor that illustrates their connection between the ground and the sky.

Fill in the blank: The twigs exert pressure, causing the trees to ___ and collide as they move outside.

Rush

What dual themes are explored in the poem?

The poem explores the themes of freedom and the liberation struggle, depicting the conflict between humanity and nature, alongside a feminist perspective highlighting women's quest for equality.

The poem uses a structure where the first paragraph of each stanza provides ___ meaning, while the subsequent paragraph offers ___ meaning.

Literal; symbolic

True or False: The poem solely focuses on environmental issues without addressing themes of gender equality.

False; the poem also addresses themes of gender equality and women's empowerment.

How does the poet's activism influence the themes presented in the poem?

The poet's activism informs the themes of freedom and equality, as they aim to raise awareness about environmental issues and advocate for women's rights within a male-dominated society.

Fill in the blank: Every being yearns for freedom and is ready to put up a struggle to achieve it, reflecting a common desire for ___ and ___ in the poem.

Liberation; equality

What literary device is used when giving human-like characteristics to inanimate objects in the poem?

Personification is used to give human characteristics to inanimate objects, such as trees and the sun.

The phrase 'the trees are stumbling forward' is an example of which literary device?

This phrase exemplifies personification, as it attributes human-like movement to trees.

What does the extended metaphor of the forest represent in the context of the poem?

The forest serves as an extended metaphor for the struggle of women in a patriarchal society.

Fill in the blank: Anaphora occurs when two consecutive lines begin with the same ___ .

Letter