Q1.Can a "simple jab of the knife" kill a tree? Why not?
(Textual)
Ans simple jab of a knife can certainly not kill a tree. It
can merely injure it and cause its sap to ooze out like
blood. The real life of a tree comesfrom the roots that
provide it nourishment and firmly hold it.
Q2.How has the tree grown to its Full size? List words
suggestive of its life and activity.
(Textual)
Ans The tree has grown to its full size gradually. It has
grown by slowly consuming the earth. It has risen out of
the earth and has fed upon its crust. It has also absorbed
light, air and water for years. Leaves have sprouted out of
its discoloured bark.
Q3.In the phrase consuming the earth, who consumes
the earth and how?
Ans:-It is the tree that consumes the earth by drawing its
nourishment from the soil through its root. The diet
required by the tree lies deep inside the earth and the root
sucks and absorbs nutrients and nourishes the tree.
Q4. What is meant by years of sunlight, air and water?
Ans-Years of sunlight, air and water means that the tree
takes years together to grow up fully. In this course of
time, it draws energy from sunlight, air and water.
Q5.Why has the tree's 'hide'been called leprous?
Ans:-The bark of the tree is uneven in texture and colour.
Leprosy also robs the skin of the leper of its colour and
evenness. Hence, the poet has drawn a metaphorical
comparison between the discoloured bark of a tree and
the diseased skin.
Q6. What is the role of hacking and chopping in killing a
tree?
Ans Hacking and chopping wound the body of a tree
causing it great pain. They peal the bark of the tree and it
appears to be bleeding when the sap oozes out. However,
this pain or bleeding does not manage to kill the tree.
Q7.What is the meaning of bleeding bark'? What makes
it bleed? (Textual)
Ans:-The 'bleeding bark stands for the sap oozing out of
the tree trunk when it is attacked with a knife or an axe.
The word 'bleeding' is metaphorically used to compare the
sap to the blood from a wound of a human being. It
signifies the pain of the tree.
Q8.What will rise from 'close to the ground'? Why?
Ans-Curled green twigs and miniature boughs will rise
from the stump of the tree that is close to the ground.
They will rise because the tree rejuvenates and revives
itself as long as its root is intact.
9. What will happen if the miniature boughs are left
'unchecked'?
Ans:-Unchecked' here means left free to grow without
any harm or danger. IF left unchecked, the new green,
delicate branches from the stump of a tree will expand
and regain their original size.
Q 10. "No, The root is to be pulled out." Why has the
poet started this stanza with "No"? Or The poet says
"No" at the beginning of the third stanza. What does he
mean by this? (Textual
Ans:-The poet uses No° to emphasize the fact that merely
hacking and chopping are not sufficient for killing a tree.
They can injure it, make it bleed, and cause pain. But killing
a tree requires more ruthlessness and much more effort.
Q 11. What is the meaning of "anchoring earth" and
"earth cave"? (Textual)
Ans "Anchoring earth" means the earth which gives a
firm grip to the tree and keeps it from falling. Just as a
ship anchored in the sea stays in its place securely and
steadily, similarly the tree stands secure and stable with
the support of the earth. "Earth cave" refers to the depth
under the earth where the root of a tree remains
sheltered safely for years. It is firmly attached to this point
and a cave-like hollow is created when the root is pulled
out.
Q12. How is the root of the tree to be pulled out? What
is the result of this pulling?
Ans-The root of the tree is to be tied to a rope and pulled
out with a great force. This pulling results in creating a
cave-like hollow in the earth and exposes the root to the
vagaries of weather that eventually cause the death of the
tree.
Q13.What does the poet mean by The strength of the
tree exposed"? (Textual)
Ans:-The expression 'the strength of the tree exposed'
means the root of the tree is pulled out of the earth and
thrown open at the mercy of harsh weather. Root is the
sourceof the tree's power. Once exposed to the scorching
and choking sun and air, it withers away and the tree
finally dies.
Q14.What is 'the most sensitive' part of the tree? What
is it sensitive to and why?
Ans:- The root of the tree is its most sensitive part. It is
sensitive to the heat and vagaries of weather on the open
surface of the earth. It is so because it remains hidden
safely under the earth.
Q16. What finally kills the tree? (Textual)
Ans:-The withering of the pulled out root finally kills the
tree. The root of a tree is the source of its strength. Once
it is pulled out, it can no longer nurture the tree. The root
is sensitive to sunlight and air. Once exposed, it gets
dehydrated, brown and twisted. Ultimately it dries up and
the tree yields to death.
Q17. What message is conveyed by this poem?
Ans:-The poem conveys the message that human beings
have destructive temperament towards nature, but
Mother nature has regenerative powers and cannot be
destroyed easily. It has the ability to resurrect itself. Also,
the tree teaches us that mere physical assaults cannot ruin
Us. As long as our root, our soul, is intact we can rise again.
