Short Answer Questions: The Trees

Q1. Why do the trees need to relocate from the city? Where were they before and why? 

Ans: Humans removed the trees from their natural home in the forest and planted them in cities as decorative or convenient additions. Inside buildings and paved areas they feel suffocated and unable to grow properly. For these reasons the trees need to return to the forest from which they were taken.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 forest becomes empty because of the indiscriminate cutting and felling of trees by humans. A forest without trees cannot provide shelter or food for birds and insects, so wildlife disappears. Without a canopy to shade and cool the ground, temperatures rise and the local climate and soil health are harmed.

Q3. How do trees resist their captivity by humans?
Ans: The trees show their resistance in visible, natural ways. Their roots push through cracks in floors and pavements, the leaves press against windows in search of light, and branches grow and strain against roofs. These actions demonstrate the trees' effort to break free and return to a more suitable habitat.

Q4. What kind of whispers does the poet hear, and why will they cease tomorrow?
Ans: The poet hears the soft whispers of the trees - sounds of movement and a low communication as they prepare to leave confinement and reclaim freedom. These murmurs will cease tomorrow because the trees will have completed their departure and the restless movement that produced the whispers will end.

Q5. The poem 'The Trees' presents a conflict between Man and Nature. Discuss.
Ans: The poem shows a clear conflict between humanity and nature. Humans remove trees from forests and confine them in urban or indoor settings, which suffocates them. The trees react and attempt to escape, signalling that human control over nature causes harm and that nature seeks to restore its own balance.

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 kept inside a house or a glass structure. Their roots push into and through the cracks of the veranda floor as if to escape, while their leaves reach and press against the glass, seeking light. Small twigs grow stiff as they strain outward toward the source of light.

Q8. Describe the sound and fury of the victorious march of the trees to the forest.
Ans: The quiet struggle becomes loud and triumphant as the trees break free. The confining glasshouse is shattered and the trees move forward, carried and greeted by rushing winds. Their branches and leaves spread wide; the movement is powerful and jubilant as they return to the forest.

Q9. Why is the full moon broken to pieces like a mirror in the last lines of the poem?
Ans: At first the moon was whole and visible, but as the trees return and their branches spread, they cut the moonlight. The moon then appears fragmented, seen only through gaps among the leaves and branches, like reflections in a broken mirror.

Q10. What is the message that the poet wants to give to the readers through the poem 'The Trees'?
Ans: Adrienne Rich uses the trees as a metaphor for people - especially women - who feel trapped in a male-dominated society. The poem advocates for freedom and dignity. It also warns that nature cannot be permanently controlled or subdued by human arrogance; it will strive to recover and reclaim what is its own.

Q11. What changes can be seen in the moon during the course of the poem "The Trees"?
Ans: The moon changes from a bright full moon in an open sky to a broken or fragmented light source. As tall trees spread their branches, the moonlight is cut into pieces, shining only through the upper branches of an oak tree.

Q12. Why is the description of the moon different in the beginning and at the end of the poem?
Ans: Initially the moon hangs bright and whole because the sky is open. By the end, the trees have pushed out and spread their branches, changing the poet's view so the moon appears as fragments. The growing presence of the trees alters how the moon is seen.

Q13. Justify the revolt of the trees and state two values that the man should possess to stop the revolt.
Ans: The revolt is justified because the trees feel suffocated and confined, so they naturally strive to escape and grow. To prevent such a revolt, humans should show respect for nature and practise care - for example, by preserving forests and allowing plants space and light to grow naturally.

Q14. How does the poet describe the night? How does she feel?
Ans: The night is described as fresh, with a bright full moon. The poet notices the scent of leaves and lichen entering her room and hears quiet whispers. She feels attentive and aware, sensing a restlessness that she expects will end by morning.

Q15. Why are the trees described in the poem not useful for birds or insects?
Ans: These trees are ornamental - kept indoors or represented in paintings - so they do not form real habitats. Birds cannot perch on them and insects cannot shelter or feed there, making them useless for wildlife.

Q16. What happens to the roots and leaves of these trees at night?
Ans: At night the roots strain and push within the cracks of the veranda, trying to free themselves. The leaves press against the glass, reaching for light. The twigs stiffen with effort and the branches extend under the roof as if eager to escape.

Q17. Why does the poet use the metaphor of newly discharged patients?
Ans: Comparing the plants to newly discharged patients conveys their relief and eagerness to leave confinement. Just as a healed patient rushes out of a clinic to be free, the plants stretch toward the light, freed from the cramped conditions that kept them unhealthy.

Q18. Why are the trees moving out into the forest?
Ans: The trees move back to the forest because they seek their natural freedom and proper environment. Confined in artificial glasshouses or indoor spaces, they could not grow as they should. After struggling long enough, they break free and return 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 is deeply optimistic. She believes the trees will overcome the human-made barriers and succeed in returning to the forest. Their determined movement will restore the empty forest by morning.

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 sits in her room writing long letters while the trees struggle nearby. Although the struggle of leaves, twigs, boughs and roots happens before her eyes, she does not record it in her letters-possibly because she is shocked, embarrassed, or finds the event too immediate and personal to put into words at that moment.