Thinking about the Poem
I. 1. Can a "simple jab of the knife" kill a tree? Why not?
Answer: No, a simple jab of the knife cannot kill a tree. It takes much time to kill a tree. The tree has grown slowly, consuming the earth, rising out of it, feeding upon its crust, and absorbing years of sunlight, air, and water. A simple jab will only cause a wound that will heal, and new twigs will rise again.
2. How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.
Answer: The tree has grown to its full size by slowly consuming the earth, rising out of it, feeding upon its crust, absorbing years of sunlight, air, and water, and sprouting leaves from its leprous hide. The words suggestive of its life and activity are: consuming, rising, feeding, absorbing, sprouting.
3. What is the meaning of "bleeding bark"? What makes it bleed?
Answer: "Bleeding bark" refers to the bark of the tree that oozes sap when it is cut or hacked. It bleeds because of the hack and chop that cause wounds to the tree.
4. The poet says "No" in the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by this?
Answer: The poet says "No" to emphasize that hacking and chopping is not enough to kill the tree. He means that the tree cannot be killed by merely cutting its trunk or branches. The real task is to pull out the root from the earth.
5. What is the meaning of "anchoring earth" and "earth cave"?
Answer: "Anchoring earth" refers to the earth that holds the tree's roots securely, providing stability and nourishment. "Earth cave" refers to the hollow space or cave created in the earth when the roots are pulled out.
6. What does he mean by "the strength of the tree exposed"?
Answer: "The strength of the tree exposed" means that the roots, which are the source of the tree's life and strength, are pulled out from the earth and exposed to the sun and air. Once exposed, the tree loses its life force and becomes vulnerable.
7. What finally kills the tree?
Answer: The tree is finally killed when its roots are pulled out entirely from the earth and exposed. Then the process of scorching and choking in the sun and air, browning, hardening, twisting, and withering takes place, and the tree dies.
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