On Killing a Tree Summary Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 7

About the Poet

The poet of this powerful piece is Gieve Patel, an Indian poet, playwright, and painter. Born in 1940 in Mumbai, Patel has made significant contributions to Indian English literature. He is known for his vivid imagery and deep connection to nature, often reflecting on themes of life, growth, and the human experience. Patel's poetry is characterized by its simplicity and clarity, making complex ideas accessible to readers. His works often explore the relationship between humans and the environment, the passage of time, and the struggles of life. Patel is also a trained doctor, which influences his writing, as he often incorporates elements of observation and detail akin to those in medical practice. His unique perspective allows him to delve into themes of life and mortality with a compassionate touch. Over the years, Patel has received numerous awards for his literary contributions, cementing his status as one of the prominent voices in contemporary Indian poetry.

Key Points of the Poem

• The poem consists of two stanzas.
• It explores the idea that killing a tree is not a simple task.
• The poet describes the extensive growth and resilience of trees.
• The poem emphasizes the importance of the roots in a tree's life.
• Patel suggests that to truly kill a tree, one must uproot it completely.
• The imagery of the tree represents resilience and the struggle for survival.
• The poem uses vivid metaphors related to nature and life.
• The tone of the poem is serious and contemplative.

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Theme/ Message

Theme

• The complexities of destruction: The poem highlights that destroying something as resilient as a tree requires more than just superficial efforts.
• Resilience of nature: It underscores the idea that nature has a remarkable ability to endure and recover from damage.
• Life cycle and growth: The growth of a tree symbolizes life, demonstrating how it absorbs sustenance over the years.
• The significance of roots: The roots represent the foundation of life, illustrating that true strength lies beneath the surface.

In this poem, the theme revolves around the difficulty of truly destroying something that has been nurtured over time. The poet uses the tree as a metaphor for life, emphasizing that superficial actions are not enough to eliminate something deeply rooted. The resilience of nature is portrayed through the imagery of a tree that continuously grows and heals, no matter how much it is hurt. The poem invites readers to reflect on the deeper connections and foundations that exist in life, suggesting that everything has a source that must be addressed to enact real change.

Message

• True change requires thorough effort: The poet conveys that significant change or destruction necessitates a comprehensive approach, not just quick fixes.
• Understanding the source of problems: The poem encourages readers to look deeper into issues, recognizing that the visible aspects are often supported by deeper roots.
• Recognition of resilience: The message reflects a respect for nature’s ability to recover, which can be applied to human experiences as well.
• Life's challenges: Just as a tree faces challenges but continues to grow, people also endure hardships but are capable of resilience.

The message of the poem is profound and layered. It teaches that real change or destruction cannot happen through mere gestures; it requires a complete understanding of what lies beneath the surface. The poet draws attention to the roots of the tree, symbolizing the fundamental aspects of life that need to be addressed. By recognizing the resilience found within nature, readers are encouraged to appreciate their own strength and the strength of those around them. Ultimately, the poem leaves us with a sense of hope, suggesting that growth and healing are always possible, no matter the circumstances faced.

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Detailed Summary

Stanza 1: 

It takes much time to kill a tree,
Not a simple jab of the knife
Will do it. It has grown
Slowly consuming the earth,
Rising out of it, feeding
Upon its crust, absorbing
Years of sunlight, air, water,
And out of its leprous hide
Sprouting leaves.
So hack and chop
But this alone won't do it.
Not so much pain will do it.
The bleeding bark will heal
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
Miniature boughs
Which if unchecked will expand again
To former size.

Explanation: In this first part of the poem, the poet is telling us that it is not easy to destroy a tree. Imagine a big, strong tree that has been growing for a long time. Just using a knife to poke it won't be enough to hurt it. The tree has roots that go deep into the ground, and it takes time for it to grow. The tree gets its food by drinking water, soaking up sunlight, and breathing in air. Its thick bark, which looks a little rough and old, protects it. Even if someone tries to cut it, the tree can heal, just like how our skin can heal when we get a scrape. If you cut the tree a little, it might even grow new little branches called twigs. These twigs can grow back into big branches if we don’t stop them. So, the poet is saying that cutting a tree doesn't really make it go away; it can come back strong and healthy if we don’t take care of it.

Stanza 2: 

No,
The root is to be pulled out —
Out of the anchoring earth;
It is to be roped, tied,
And pulled out — snapped out
Or pulled out entirely,
Out from the earth-cave,
And the strength of the tree exposed
The source, white and wet,
The most sensitive, hidden
For years inside the earth.

Explanation: In this next part, the poet tells us what really needs to be done to completely get rid of a tree. It is not enough to just cut the trunk or branches; we have to pull out the roots. The roots are like the tree’s feet, holding it in the ground. They go deep into the earth, which we can think of as a cosy cave. To remove the tree, we have to tie it up and pull it out of the ground. This is very hard work because the roots are strong and have been growing for a long time. When we finally pull out the roots, we can see the wet and white parts of the roots that have been hidden under the ground. These roots are very important for the tree because they take in water and nutrients from the soil to help the tree grow. This part of the poem shows us that to truly destroy the tree, we must take away what is keeping it alive and strong.

Stanza 3:

Then the matter
Of scorching and choking
In the sun and air,
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering,
And then it is done.

Explanation: In the final part, the poet explains what happens after the tree has been removed from the ground. Without roots, the tree cannot drink water or get food. The sun and air will be very hot and dry for the tree. The tree will start to get brown and hard, and its leaves will twist and die. This is because the tree is not able to survive anymore without its roots. Once the tree is exposed to the sun and air, it cannot live, and eventually, it will wither away completely. The poet shows us that taking away the roots is like taking away the life of the tree. When we do that, the tree cannot come back, and it is completely gone. This part teaches us about the importance of roots in life, just like how we need food and water to stay healthy. 

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Difficult Words

• Jab: A quick, sharp blow or thrust.
• Leprous: Having a disease that causes skin sores; used metaphorically to describe a tree's rough bark.
• Twigs: Small, thin branches of a tree.
• Curled: Bent into a spiral or curve.
• Snapped: Broken suddenly.
• Anchoring: Holding something firmly in place.
• Cave: A large underground space; used metaphorically for the earth where roots are hidden.
• Scorching: Burning or drying out by heat.
• Choking: Struggling to breathe; metaphorically used for the tree’s struggle for survival.
• Browning: Turning brown due to damage or decay.
• Withering: Becoming dry and shrivelled; losing vitality.
• Absorbing: Taking in or soaking up something.
• Healed: Restored to health.
• Strength: The quality of being strong; in this context, the vital components of the tree.