Class 9 English - HARYANA
Poetry: On Killing a Tree
The chapter 'On Killing a Tree' by Gieve Patel is a powerful, reflective poem prescribed for Class 9 students under the Haryana Board (BSEH). The poem metaphorically describes the painstaking, cruel process of destroying a tree, revealing that a simple jab of a knife cannot kill it. Instead, the tree has grown strong by consuming the earth and sunlight. The poet highlights the extreme resilience of nature and subtly draws a parallel to human cruelty and the deep-rooted nature of evil. For board exams, questions focus on the central theme, poetic devices, and critical appreciation of the poem.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Resilience of Nature
The poem shows that trees are extremely tough and cannot be easily killed because they absorb nourishment from the earth, sun, air, and water over many years.
Cruelty of Human Action
Killing a tree requires violent, deliberate, and sustained effort, symbolizing how human beings ruthlessly destroy nature for selfish gains.
Metaphor of Deep-Rooted Evil
The 'root' represents the core source of strength or evil; to completely eradicate something harmful, its root cause must be pulled out entirely.
Free Verse Structure
The poem is written in free verse with no strict rhyme scheme or meter, which gives it a conversational yet impactful tone.
Bleeding Bark
A personification device used by the poet where chopping the bark causes sap to ooze out, comparing it to human blood and suffering.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Haryana Board (BSEH) Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 3 to 5 marks. Common question types include short answer questions based on comprehension, RTC (Reference to Context) extract-based multiple-choice or short questions, and long answer questions focusing on the central theme and message of the poem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a simple jab of a knife kill a tree?
No, a simple jab of the knife cannot kill a tree because it has grown slowly consuming the earth and years of sunlight, air, and water.
What is the most sensitive and hidden part of the tree?
The root, which is white and wet and hidden inside the earth for years, is the most sensitive and hidden part of the tree.
What is the central message of the poem 'On Killing a Tree'?
The central message is that destroying nature is a brutal and difficult task, highlighting both the immense resilience of trees and the cruelty of human destruction.
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