Class 9 English - MAHARASHTRA
Poetry: On Killing a Tree
Poetry: On Killing a Tree by Gieve Patel is a powerful and thought-provoking poem prescribed for Class 9 students under the Maharashtra State Board (MSBSHSE). The poem uses a sarcastic and ironic tone to describe how much effort, time, and cruelty it takes to completely destroy a tree. It emphasizes the deep-rooted resilience of nature, showing that simple hacking or chopping is not enough because the tree will rise again from its roots. For board exams, questions focus on figures of speech, poetic devices, central themes, and critical appreciation, making a deep understanding of the text crucial for scoring high marks.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Ironic Tone
The poet uses sarcasm, giving step-by-step instructions on how to kill a tree as if it were a manual, to highlight the cruelty and absurdity of destroying nature.
Resilience of Nature
The poem illustrates that a tree absorbs sunlight, air, and water over many years to grow strong, and its roots hold it securely to the earth, proving nature's supreme strength.
The Importance of the Root
The root is described as the 'white and wet' source of the tree's life hidden inside the earth. True destruction requires pulling out this hidden core.
Cruelty of Human Action
The poem reflects on humanity's destructive attitude toward the environment and shows that killing a tree is a slow, agonizing, and violent process.
Free Verse Structure
The poem is written in free verse with no fixed rhyme scheme or meter, which makes the tone sound like a serious, matter-of-fact instruction manual.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Maharashtra (MSBSHSE) Class 9 English paper, questions from poems typically carry around 5 to 8 marks. They include unseen or seen extract comprehension, appreciation of the poem based on title, poet, theme, figures of speech, and short answer questions testing critical thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does it take so much time to kill a tree?
A tree consumes earth, sunlight, water, and air over many years to grow deep roots. Simply chopping the bark or hacking the trunk is not enough because the bleeding bark will heal and new green twigs will sprout again.
What is the central idea of the poem 'On Killing a Tree'?
The central idea is that nature is extremely resilient and difficult to destroy. The poem serves as an environmental warning about the cruelty of deforestation and celebrates the stubborn life force of trees.
What does the phrase 'bleeding bark' mean?
'Bleeding bark' is a metaphor. When a tree's branches or trunk are cut or hacked with an axe, the sap oozes out, which the poet compares to human blood coming out of a wound.
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