Gieve Patel's poem "On Killing a Tree" is a powerful meditation on the slow, consuming process of nature and the difficulty of destroying it. The poem begins with the assertion that a simple jab of a knife will not be enough to kill a tree. Instead, the tree .........
On Killing a Tree - Beehive - Class 9 - CBSE English
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Back Questions - On Killing a Tree | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
Can a “simple jab of the knife” kill a tree? Why not?
No, a “simple jab of the knife” cannot kill a tree. The poem states that killing a tree takes much more than simply cutting it because trees have a resilient nature. The tree has its roots deep within the earth, and it continues to grow by absorbing years of sunlight, air, water, and nutrients from the earth.
Even if the tree is cut, the bleeding bark will heal, and if left unchecked, new growth will arise from close to the ground.
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How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.
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Unlock now 🔓The poet says “No” in the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by this?
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Unlock now 🔓What does he mean by “the strength of the tree exposed”?
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Unlock now 🔓Extra Questions - On Killing a Tree | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
Not a simple jab of the knife Will do it.
It has grown Slowly consuming the earth,
Not a simple jab of the knife Will do it.
It has grown Slowly consuming the earth,
a. Name the poem and the poet.
b. 'It has grown'. What does 'it' refer to here?
c. How has it slowly consumed the earth?
d. What quality of 'it' do these lines indirectly suggest?
e. What is a simple jab of the knife not enough for?
a. The poem is ‘On Killing a Tree’, and the poet is Gieve Patel.
b. Here, ‘it’ refers to ‘a tree’, the main entity around which the whole poem revolves.
c. The tree has slowly consumed the earth by absorbing the nutrients and minerals from the soil, which it needed to grow and develop.
d. These lines indirectly suggest the tenacity and endurance of the tree. It shows how the tree has been standing firm and growing for years, implying that it cannot be destroyed easily.
e. A simple jab of the knife is not enough to kill the tree, implying that surface-level harm would not kill the tree as it has deep roots which provide continual life support.
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Rising out of it, feeding Upon its crust,
absorbing Years of ' sun light, air, water,
And out of its leprous hide Sprouting leaves.
a. What does 'it' refer to here? What rises out of it?
b. Explain the expression: 'leprous hide'.
c. Who or what sprouts leaves? How?
d. Quote words or expressions in the extract that convey the idea of nourishment and growth.
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Unlock now 🔓Quiz - On Killing a Tree | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
Vocabulary - Flashcards - On Killing a Tree | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
About the Author - On Killing a Tree | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
Gieve Patel is an Indian poet, playwright, and practicing doctor. He was born in Mumbai in 1940 and received his medical degree from Grant Medical College. Patel's poetry often deals with themes of nature, the human condition, and the relationship between the two. He is known for his concise and evocative use of language and imagery, as seen in his poem "On Killing a Tree." Patel has published several collections of poetry and his work has been translated into several languages. In addition to his writing, he has also been active in the theatre community as a playwright and director.
Summary - On Killing a Tree | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
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Themes - On Killing a Tree | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
Nature's Resilience
The poem highlights nature's ability to survive and endure despite efforts to destroy it. The tree is described as slowly consuming the earth and absorbing years of sunlight, air, and water. Even when it is cut down, the tree is shown to have hidden reserves of strength that allow it to sprout new growth. This theme suggests that nature is powerful and enduring, and that humans must be careful not to underestimate its resilience.
Human Impotence
The poem suggests that humans are unable ...............................
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The Tree
The tree in the poem is a symbol of nature, representing its strength, resilience, and beauty. The tree is depicted as having absorbed years of sunlight, air, and water, and rising out of the earth through its crust. The tree is also shown as having a will and life of its own, despite human efforts to destroy it.
The Knife
The knife in the poem symbolizes.......................................
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Imagery
The poem makes use of vivid and evocative imagery throughout. Examples include the description of the tree as "slowly consuming the earth," "absorbing years of sunlight, air, water," and "sprouting leaves from its leprous hide." These images create a powerful impression of the tree's strength and resilience.
Metaphor
The poem makes use of metaphor to describe.........................
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Unlock now 🔓Vocabulary - On Killing a Tree | Beehive | Class 9 Literature | CBSE English
jab: sudden rough blow
leprous hide: discoloured bark
hack: cut roughly by striking heavy blows
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