Class 9 English - ODISHA
Poetry: On Killing a Tree
The poem 'On Killing a Tree' by Gieve Patel is a thought-provoking piece prescribed for Class 9 students under the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha. The poem describes the tedious and cruel process of uprooting a tree, using it as a metaphor for destroying nature and eradicating deep-rooted evils. It teaches students that mere hacking or chopping cannot kill a tree because it has grown strong by consuming the earth and absorbing sunlight, air, and water. For board exams, students must understand the poem's underlying environmental message, satirical tone, and poetic devices used by the author.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Resilience of Nature
A tree is deeply rooted in the earth and possesses immense survival strength, making it impossible to destroy it with simple chopping or hacking.
Satirical Tone
The poet uses a sarcastic, step-by-step instructional tone on how to kill a tree to actually highlight the cruelty of human destruction against nature.
The Role of the Root
The actual strength of the tree lies in its hidden root, which is the most sensitive and deepest part anchored securely in the earth.
Process of Decaying
Complete destruction requires pulling the root out entirely, followed by scorching, choking, browning, hardening, and twisting under the sun and air.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the BSE Odisha Class 9 English examination, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include multiple-choice questions (MCQs), short-answer questions based on comprehension of stanzas, and long-answer questions focusing on the central theme, environmental message, or the critical appreciation of the poem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is simple hacking or chopping not enough to kill a tree?
Simple hacking or chopping only causes surface pain. The bleeding bark will soon heal, and miniature green branches will rise again from close to the ground.
What is the actual strength of the tree and where is it hidden?
The actual strength of the tree is its root, which is hidden safely and securely inside the earth.
What is the central message of the poem 'On Killing a Tree'?
The poem delivers a strong environmental message against deforestation, showing that destroying nature requires extreme cruelty and that nature is remarkably resilient.
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