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Now you don’t need to be scared of English poems anymore. Many students feel nervous when they see a poem in the syllabus because the language looks difficult or the meanings feel confusing. But there’s no need to worry.
These free notes are designed specially for students who want clear and simple explanations. Each poem is explained in easy words, so you don’t have to struggle with the meaning of every line.
These notes help you understand what the poet is really trying to say, instead of just memorising answers. Whether you are revising before exams or studying a poem for the first time, these notes will save your time and reduce stress.
On Killing a Tree Notes PDF
These notes are the best because they have all that you need for your exams. While reading or revising the poem, keep these notes with you. They will help you understand the poem easily and quickly. You will be able to remember the main points and do well in your exams.
Even if you are revising at the last moment, these notes will help you. You don’t have to waste time searching through pages or difficult books. Just go through these notes and feel confident. Learning poems is now easy and stress-free.
So, trust these notes and get ready to score full marks without any fear. You’ve got this!
On Killing a Tree Class 9 Short Summary
The poem On Killing a Tree by Gieve Patel explains how difficult it is to kill a tree and highlights the cruelty of humans towards nature. The poet says that a tree cannot be killed by a simple cut or stab because it has grown slowly over many years by absorbing sunlight, air, water and nutrients from the earth.
Even if the tree is chopped or hacked, it does not die easily. Its bark heals and new green branches and twigs grow again from the cut trunk. To completely kill a tree, its roots must be pulled out from the soil.
The roots are the main source of life for the tree and remain hidden safely inside the earth for years. Once the roots are exposed to sunlight and air, they slowly dry up, harden, twist and wither.
Only then does the tree finally die. Through this poem, the poet strongly criticizes deforestation and reminds us to respect and protect nature.
Synopsis with Easy Explanation
The poem begins by telling us that killing a tree is not an easy task. A simple cut or stab with a knife cannot destroy it. A tree grows slowly over the years, taking in sunlight, air and water. It becomes strong and deeply rooted in the earth.
- The Tree Heals Itself
Even if someone cuts the bark or hacks off the branches, the tree doesn’t die. It feels pain, but it can heal itself. New branches and leaves will grow again from the injured part. This shows how powerful and full of life a tree is.
- What Actually Kills a Tree
To completely kill a tree, one has to attack its roots. The poet says the root is the most sensitive and important part, hidden deep in the soil. The tree must be pulled out entirely from the earth uprooted from where it gets strength.
- Drying and Withering
Once the root is exposed to sunlight and air, it starts to dry up. The tree begins to wither, twist and become brown. Slowly, the life of the tree ends. This is the only way to truly kill a tree.
Line by Line Explanation
Let us understand this poem line by line.
- Stanza 1:
It takes much time to kill a tree,
Killing a tree is not quick or easy. It takes a long time to actually destroy it.
Not a simple jab of the knife
You can’t kill it by just giving it a quick cut with a knife.
Will do it. It has grown
That won’t work. The tree has taken years to grow…
Slowly consuming the earth,
...absorbing nutrients and strength from the soil slowly over time.
Rising out of it, feeding
Upon its crust, absorbing
The tree grows upwards from the earth’s surface and takes in water and minerals from the top layer of soil.
Years of sunlight, air, water,
It has lived and survived for many years by getting sunlight, air and water.
And out of its leprous hide
Sprouting leaves.
Even from its rough and ugly bark (called ‘leprous hide’), new leaves keep growing.
- Stanza 2:
So hack and chop
Even if you cut or chop the tree with an axe...
But this alone won't do it.
Not so much pain will do it.
…that still won’t kill the tree. Hurting it like that is not enough.
The bleeding bark will heal,
The tree’s bark may bleed (sap may flow out), but it will heal with time.
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
New green twigs will start growing from the bottom of the tree.
Miniature boughs
Which if unchecked, will expand again
To former size.
Small branches (called boughs) will grow and, if not stopped, they will grow big again like before.
- Stanza 3:
No,
The poet now says clearly, No, cutting the branches won’t work.
The root is to be pulled out –
To truly kill the tree, its root must be pulled out of the soil.
Out of the anchoring earth;
It must be removed from the earth that holds and supports it.
It is to be roped, tied,
And pulled out - snapped out
Or pulled out entirely,
The tree must be tied with ropes and forcefully pulled out of the ground—completely and suddenly.
Out from the earth-cave,
The poet calls the hole in the ground where roots live as an "earth-cave."
And the strength of the tree exposed,
When the root is out, the tree’s real strength is shown – its roots.
The source, white and wet,
The most sensitive, hidden
The root is white and moist. It is the most delicate and hidden part of the tree.
For years inside the earth.
It has been buried deep in the earth for many years.
- Stanza 4:
Then the matter
Of scorching and choking
After that, the tree starts to die by drying out under the hot sun and air.
In sun and air,
It gets exposed to sunlight and air, which it is not used to.
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering,
Slowly, the tree turns brown, becomes hard, dries up and shrinks.
And then it is done.
Finally, the tree is completely dead.
Themes of the Poem
Let us understand the themes of the poem.
- Human Cruelty Towards Nature
The poem shows how humans harm nature by cutting down trees. The poet explains in detail how a tree is killed, which makes us think about how badly we treat the environment.
- Strength and Resilience of Nature
The tree is shown as strong and full of life. Even after getting hurt, it heals and grows again. This highlights how powerful and self-healing nature is.
- Destruction is a Slow Process
The poet tells us that destroying a tree takes time. It cannot be done with just a simple cut. True destruction comes only when the roots are pulled out. This shows how deep and lasting life in nature is.
- Importance of Roots and Connection to Earth
The roots of the tree are described as its real strength. They are hidden, sensitive and have been part of the earth for years. This theme tells us how important roots are—not just for trees but also in life, symbolizing foundation and support.
- Warning Against Deforestation
Though not directly said, the poem gives a strong warning about deforestation. It shows how cruel and painful it is to kill a tree, making us think twice before cutting one down.
Central Message
The central message of the poem “On Killing a Tree” is to highlight the cruelty of humans towards nature and to show the strength of the natural world. The poet, Gieve Patel, explains that a tree cannot be killed easily.
It takes years for a tree to grow and just cutting it with a knife or axe is not enough to destroy it. The tree heals itself and grows back. To truly kill it, one has to remove it from its roots.
This shows how deeply a tree is connected to the earth. The poem uses strong and detailed images to show the pain and suffering caused to a tree when it is killed.
The poet wants us to realise how wrong it is to destroy trees and how important it is to respect nature. The poem gives a silent warning against deforestation and asks us to protect the environment.
Conclusion
So now, you don’t have to worry about understanding poems anymore. With these easy and clear notes, learning becomes simple and stress-free. You don’t have to struggle with difficult words or complicated meanings. Everything you need is explained in the best and easiest way.
These notes will help you during revision, before tests or even at the last minute. Just keep them with you and feel confident while studying. You will understand the poem better and score well in your exams too. Learning poems is no longer a problem, it’s now easy, fun and full of confidence!
FAQs
Q1. What is the poem about?
Ans. The poem describes how difficult it is to kill a tree, as it takes years to grow and has strong roots.
Q2. According to the poet, why can’t a tree be killed by a simple cut?
Ans. Because a tree heals itself, new shoots and leaves grow again from the cut part.
Q3. What message does the poem give us?
Ans. The poem teaches us about the strength of nature and warns against cruelty towards trees and deforestation.
Q4. What qualities of trees are shown in the poem?
Ans. Trees are strong, deeply rooted, self-healing and closely connected to the earth.
Q5. Why does the poet use violent imagery in the poem?
Ans. To show the cruelty of humans in destroying trees and to highlight how brutal the act of killing nature is.
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