On Killing a Tree MCQs Quiz | Class 9
This MCQ quiz for Class 9 English Language and Literature (Code 184) covers ‘On Killing a Tree’ from Section C: Literature (Beehive Poems). It tests your understanding of the poem’s poetic argument, imagery, theme, and overall appreciation. Answer all questions and click submit to see your score and download a PDF of your answers.
About the Poem: “On Killing a Tree”
Gieve Patel’s “On Killing a Tree” is a powerful and ironic poem that describes the process of killing a tree. The poet uses a detached, almost instructional tone to emphasize the sheer resilience of nature and the deep-rooted effort required to destroy it. The poem is not just about a tree; it serves as a metaphor for destroying something that is living, strong, and deeply connected to its source of life.
Key Concepts Explored
Poetic Argument
The poem is structured as a logical argument or a set of instructions. The poet argues that a “simple jab of the knife” is insufficient to kill a tree. He methodically details the entire process, highlighting that a tree’s life is not superficial but anchored deep within the earth.
- Initial attack: Hacking and chopping only cause pain (the ‘bleeding bark’) but the tree heals.
- The real task: The root, the source of life, must be pulled out entirely from the “anchoring earth.”
- The final blow: The uprooted tree must be exposed to the sun and air to be withered, choked, and finally killed.
Imagery
The poem is rich with vivid and often disturbing imagery that makes the process of killing a tree seem like a brutal act of violence against a living being.
| Image | Meaning |
|---|---|
| “leprous hide” | Refers to the discolored, rough bark of the tree, comparing it to the skin of a leprosy patient. |
| “bleeding bark” | Personifies the tree, suggesting the sap that oozes out is like blood from a wound. |
| “The root is to be pulled out – Out of the anchoring earth” |
Emphasizes the tree’s secure and safe connection to the earth, which acts as its mother and protector. |
| “white and wet” | Describes the appearance of the roots, which are sensitive and have been hidden from the sun for years. |
Theme
The central themes of the poem include:
- Resilience of Nature: The primary theme is that nature is incredibly resilient and difficult to destroy. The tree can withstand simple attacks and heal itself.
- Human Cruelty and Violence: The detailed, clinical description of the killing process highlights human cruelty towards nature. The poem critiques the casual destruction of the environment.
- The Importance of Roots: The poem emphasizes that the true strength and life source of anything (a tree, a person, an idea) lies in its roots and foundations. To destroy it, one must attack its core.
Appreciation and Poetic Devices
The poem is written in free verse, lacking a consistent rhyme scheme or meter, which makes the tone feel more direct and conversational. The tone is deeply ironic and sarcastic; the poet seems to be giving instructions, but is actually condemning the act. Personification is used extensively, giving the tree human-like qualities (“bleeding bark,” “leprous hide”).
Quick Revision Points
- Killing a tree is a difficult, time-consuming, and deliberate process.
- Simple hacking and chopping are not enough; the tree will heal.
- The real strength of the tree lies in its roots, which are anchored in the earth.
- The root must be completely uprooted and exposed to the sun and air.
- The final death comes from “scorching and choking.”
- The poem uses powerful imagery and personification to convey its message.
Extra Practice Questions
- What does the poet mean by “It has grown / Slowly consuming the earth”?
- Why is the root described as the “strength of the tree exposed”?
- What is the significance of the phrase “anchoring earth”?
- Discuss the irony in the poem’s title and tone.
- How does the poem comment on the relationship between humans and nature?
