Class 10 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - First Flight

Q1. Why do the trees need to relocate from the city? Where were they before and why? 
Ans: Humans have cut down trees in the forest, replacing them with artificial or decorative alternatives in urban areas. This makes the trees feel suffocated and out of place. Therefore, they need to relocate back to the forest from where they were removed. They were previously in the forest, and humans had taken them out for their own purposes.

Q2. What causes the forest to become empty? What are the consequences of having a tree-less forest?
Ans: The uncontrolled cutting of trees by humans has led to empty forests. Without trees, these areas cannot provide shelter for birds and insects, making them uninhabitable. Furthermore, in the absence of a tree canopy, the sun's rays cannot be cooled, resulting in increased ground temperatures.

Q3. How do trees resist their captivity by humans?
Ans: Trees resist captivity in human spaces by exhibiting natural behaviours. Their roots push through floors, causing damage, while leaves strain against windows, attempting to escape. Additionally, branches expand, seeking freedom. Through these actions, trees strive to return to their natural habitat, the forest.

Q4. What kind of whispers does the poet hear, and why will they cease tomorrow?
Ans: The poet hears the whispers of trees communicating with one another, asserting their right to be free, along with the sounds of their movement as they prepare to leave. This could also reflect the poet's inner voice, chastising them for confining the trees. These whispers will cease tomorrow when the trees finally regain their freedom and return to the forest.

Q5. The poem ‘The Trees’ presents a conflict between Man and Nature. Discuss.
Ans: The poem The Trees illustrates the struggle between humanity and nature. It depicts the trees' desire to escape their confinement within buildings, where they feel suffocated. The forest represents their true home, and as they rebel against this oppression, they strive to return to their natural habitat.

Q6. What is the central idea of the poem ‘The Trees’?
Ans: The central idea of the poem is the conflict between man and nature. A sapling is brought inside a house, but as it grows into a tree, it becomes suffocated by the limited space. Consequently, the tree leaves to find freedom. It moves out to occupy the now empty forest, which has been created by the indiscriminate felling of trees by humans. This highlights the need for people to recognise the negative impact of their actions on nature and to change their ways before it is too late.

Q7. Where are the trees at present? What do their roots, and leaves do?
Ans: The trees are currently inside the house. Their roots are attempting to escape from the cracks in the veranda floor, while the leaves are reaching towards the glass, likely searching for light. The small twigs become rigid as they strive to move towards the light.

Q8. Describe the sound and fury of the victorious march of the trees to the forest.
Ans: Now the silent struggle becomes more vocal and visible as the trees celebrate their hard-earned victory. The artificial glasshouse that confined them has been shattered. The trees are now stumbling forward towards the forest, welcomed by rushing winds. The full moon is obscured by the towering oak tree, revealing only a fragmented moon through its expanding leaves and branches.

Q9. Why is the full moon broken to pieces like a mirror in the last lines of the poem?
Ans: Initially, the night was peaceful, concealing a silent struggle. The moon was full, but now the mature oaks with their sprawling branches block the view. As a result, the full moon appears fragmented, visible only through the upper branches and leaves of the tallest oak tree.

Q10. What is the message that the poet wants to give to the readers through the poem ‘The Trees’?
Ans: Adrienne Rich uses trees as a metaphor for human beings, particularly women. In a male-dominated society, women feel trapped and are striving to liberate themselves. Similarly, nature, represented by trees and forests, is fighting against the destruction caused by humans. The trees' determined movement conveys a message of hope, suggesting that nature cannot be tamed or subdued by human arrogance.

Q11. What changes can be seen in the moon during the course of the poem “The Trees”?
Ans: The moon undergoes significant changes throughout the poem. At first, it is described as a full moon shining brightly in a clear sky. However, as the poem progresses, the moon appears broken, resembling a shattered mirror. Its fragmented rays illuminate the top of an oak tree, creating a striking visual contrast.

Q12. Why is the description of the moon different in the beginning and at the end of the poem?
Ans: At the beginning, the moon is described as bright and whole in the open sky. Later, as the trees move out and spread their branches, the moon seems broken into fragments, like pieces of a mirror. This difference occurs because the growing presence of the trees changes the poet’s view of the moon.

Q13. Justify the revolt of the trees and state two values that the man should possess to stop the revolt.
Ans: The trees in the house feel suffocated as they grow. They attempt to free themselves by pushing through the cracks in the veranda floor, stretching their leaves towards the glass. Their actions are a justified revolt against their confinement. To prevent such revolts, humans should recognise the importance of trees and cultivate a sense of respect and care for nature.

Q14. How does the poet describe the night? How does she feel?
Ans: The night is described as fresh, with a full moon shining brightly in the open sky. The poet senses the smell of leaves and lichen drifting into her room. Her mind is filled with whispers, which she knows will fade into silence by the next day.

Q15. Why are the trees described in the poem not useful for birds or insects?
Ans: The trees described in the poem are not useful for birds or insects because they are decorative plants kept indoors or simply shown in a painting. Birds cannot perch on their branches, and insects have no place to hide in them.

Q16. What happens to the roots and leaves of these trees at night?
Ans: The roots of these trees are tangled in the cracks of the veranda floor. At night, they attempt to free themselves from these confines. Meanwhile, the leaves reach towards the glass, striving for light. The twigs become rigid with effort, and the branches stretch under the roof, resembling newly released patients moving towards the clinic doors.

Q17. Why does the poet use the metaphor of newly discharged patients?
Ans: The metaphor of newly discharged patients illustrates the feeling of relief and eagerness to escape confinement. Just as a patient, once healed, rushes towards the clinic doors, the plants in pots also feel suffocated due to a lack of light. They stretch towards the glass door, hoping to find the light they need to thrive.

Q18. Why are the trees moving out into the forest?
Ans: In the poem, the trees serve as a metaphor for human beings. Just as people cherish their freedom, nature cannot be easily controlled by humans. The trees have been confined within artificial glasshouses, which contrasts with their natural habitat in the forest. After enduring a long struggle, they are breaking free from these barriers. They are moving triumphantly back to the forest, their original home.

Q19. Why is the poet hopeful that the empty forest will be full of trees by the morning?
Ans: The poet expresses a strong sense of optimism. He believes that the barriers created by humans to control nature will be overcome. The trees, which have been deprived of their natural habitat, will struggle to free themselves from human constraints. This struggle will not be in vain; by morning, the trees will emerge victorious, filling the once-empty forest.

Q20. Why doesn’t the poet make any mention of the struggle waged by the trees to free themselves to move towards the forest in her long letters?
Ans: The poet is inside her room, writing long letters while observing the world around her. The struggle of the trees—leaves, twigs, boughs, and roots—occurs right before her eyes, yet she chooses to overlook this significant event. This may be due to her feelings of shock and embarrassment at the sudden and unexpected changes taking place.