Q1: (i) Find, in the first stanza, three things that cannot happen in a treeless

forest.
Ans: The three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest are listed below:
(a) the sitting of a bird on trees,

(b) the hiding of insects on the trees,

(c) the sun burying its feet in the shadow of the forest.

(ii) What picture do these words create in your mind: “... sun bury its feet in
shadow...”? What could the poet mean by the sun’s ‘feet’?
Ans: The sun radiates heat and the given words create a picture of the hot,
radiating sun cooling its feet in the cool shadow of the forest. The sun’s ‘feet’
refers to its rays that reach the earth.
Q2: (i) Where are the trees in the poem? What do their roots, their leaves and
their twigs do?
Ans: In the poem, the trees are in the poet’s house. Their roots work all night to
disengage themselves from the cracks in the veranda floor. The leaves make efforts
to move towards the glass, while the small twigs get stiff with exertion.
(ii) What does the poet compare their branches to?
Ans: The poet compares the ‘long-cramped’ branches that have been shuffling
under the roof to newly discharged patients who look half-dazed as they move
towards the hospital doors after long illnesses and wait to get out of the hospital.
The branches also have cramped under the roof and want to get out into the open to
spread themselves in fresh air.
Q3: (i) How does the poet describes the moon: (a) at the beginning of the
third stanza, and (b) at its end? What causes this change?

Ans: In the beginning of the third stanza, the poet says that the whole moon is
shining in the open sky in the fresh night. However, at the end of the stanza, she
describes the moon as broken into many pieces such as a shattered mirror. This
change is caused by the trees that have made their way from her home to outside. .
The transformation occurs because the trees have moved outside, their branches
rising into the sky and obscuring the moon. As a result, the moon appears broken,
with its pieces glimmering atop the tallest oak tree.
(ii) What happens to the house when the trees move out of it?

Ans: When the trees move out of the house, the glass gets broken and the smell of
the leaves and lichens still reaches the rooms of the house.

(iii) Why do you think the poet does not mention “the departure of the forest
from the house” in her letters? (Could it be that we are often silent about
important happenings that are so unexpected that they embarrass us? Think
about this again when you answer the next set of questions.)

Ans: The poet scarcely mentions about “the departure of the forest from the house”
in her letters because human beings generally don’t care for nature in the first
place. Hence, she thinks that nobody would be interested to know how hard the
trees are trying to set themselves free. She also mentions that if humans would
have really cared for the trees, they would never think of destroying them.
Therefore, we can understand that the poet could feel the whole beauty of trees
moving back to the forest and she was immensely happy to realise it.

Q4: Now that you have read the poem in detail, we can begin to ask what the
poem might mean. Here are two suggestions. Can you think of others?

(i) Does the poem present a conflict between man and nature? Compare it
with A Tiger in the Zoo. Is the poet suggesting that plants and trees, used for
‘interior decoration’ in cities while forests are cut down, are ‘imprisoned’, and
need to ‘break out’?

Ans: The poem may connote different meanings to different readers. The poet tries
to explain two different things using the same metaphors in the poem.

(i) Yes, the poem presents a conflict between man and nature. While nature is more
free and unbounded, man prefers to live in bounded spaces and also wants to curb
nature. He uses plants for interior decoration of houses, cuts trees to make a house
for himself, kills animals for food or other purposes and cages them in zoos. In all
these ways, man curbs nature and denies plants and animals the freedom in which
they should live. The poem shows that trees and plants are rebelling against man as
they strive to work their way out into the open. For instance, in the poem A Tiger
in the Zoo, the poet presents the fact that animals feel bound by cages. They can
only take a few steps inside the cage, whereas they really want to run and leap into
the open. This signifies the fact that plants and animals feel caged by humans and
want to break out from imprisonment at the hands of humans.

(ii) On the other hand, Adrienne Rich has been known to use trees as a
metaphor for human beings: this is a recurrent image in her poetry. What
new meanings emerge from the poem if you take its trees to be symbolic of
this particular meaning?

Ans: If trees are symbolic of human beings, then it could be said that humans too
want to break away from the shackles of the busy and selfish lives they lead. They
also want to go out into nature and be free. They work all day and sometimes all
night to try and achieve something even though they do not have the time to enjoy
it. They keep striving hard in their routines as they feel cramped under the roofs of
their homes and offices. Even if they want to break free and go out into the
peaceful nature.

Extra Questions
1. Why do the trees need to relocate from the city? Where were they before
and why?

Ans: Humans have cut down trees in the forest, replacing them with artificial or
decorative alternatives in urban areas. This makes the trees feel suffocated and out
of place. Therefore, they need to relocate back to the forest from where they were
removed. They were previously in the forest, and humans had taken them out for
their own purposes.

Q2. What causes the forest to become empty? What are the consequences of
having a tree-less forest?

Ans: The uncontrolled cutting of trees by humans has led to empty forests.
Without trees, these areas cannot provide shelter for birds and insects, making
them uninhabitable. Furthermore, in the absence of a tree canopy, the sun's rays
cannot be cooled, resulting in increased ground temperatures.
Q3. How do trees resist their captivity by humans?

Ans: Trees resist captivity in human spaces by exhibiting natural behaviours. Their
roots push through floors, causing damage, while leaves strain against windows,
attempting to escape. Additionally, branches expand, seeking freedom. Through
these actions, trees strive to return to their natural habitat, the forest.

Q4. What kind of whispers does the poet hear, and why will they cease
tomorrow?

Ans: The poet hears the whispers of trees communicating with one another,
asserting their right to be free, along with the sounds of their movement as they
prepare to leave. This could also reflect the poet's inner voice, chastising them for
confining the trees. These whispers will cease tomorrow when the trees finally
regain their freedom and return to the forest.

Q5. The poem ‘The Trees’ presents a conflict between Man and Nature.
Discuss.

Ans: The poem 'The Trees' illustrates the struggle between humanity and nature. It
depicts the trees' desire to escape their confinement within buildings, where they
feel suffocated. The forest represents their true home, and as they rebel against this
oppression, they strive to return to their natural habitat.

Q6. What is the central idea of the poem ‘The Trees’?

Ans: The central idea of the poem is the conflict between man and nature. A
sapling is brought inside a house, but as it grows into a tree, it becomes suffocated
by the limited space. Consequently, the tree leaves to find freedom. It moves out to
occupy the now empty forest, which has been created by the indiscriminate felling
of trees by humans. This highlights the need for people to recognise the negative
impact of their actions on nature and to change their ways before it is too late.

Q7. Where are the trees at present? What do their roots, and leaves do?

Ans: The trees are currently inside the house. Their roots are attempting to escape
from the cracks in the veranda floor, while the leaves are reaching towards the
glass, likely searching for light. The small twigs become rigid as they strive to
move towards the light.
Q8. Describe the sound and fury of the victorious march of the trees to the
forest.

Ans: Now the silent struggle becomes more vocal and visible as the trees celebrate
their hard-earned victory. The artificial glasshouse that confined them has been
shattered. The trees are now stumbling forward towards the forest, welcomed by
rushing winds. The full moon is obscured by the towering oak tree, revealing only
a fragmented moon through its expanding leaves and branches.

Q9. Why is the full moon broken to pieces like a mirror in the last lines of the
poem?

Ans: Initially, the night was peaceful, concealing a silent struggle. The moon was
full, but now the mature oaks with their sprawling branches block the view. As a
result, the full moon appears fragmented, visible only through the upper branches
and leaves of the tallest oak tree.

Q10. What is the message that the poet wants to give to the readers through
the poem ‘The Trees’?

Ans: Adrienne Rich uses trees as a metaphor for human beings, particularly
women. In a male-dominated society, women feel trapped and are striving to
liberate themselves. Similarly, nature, represented by trees and forests, is fighting
against the destruction caused by humans. The trees' determined movement
conveys a message of hope, suggesting that nature cannot be tamed or subdued by
human arrogance.

Q11. What changes can be seen in the moon during the course of the poem
“The Trees”?

Ans: The moon undergoes significant changes throughout the poem. At first, it is
described as a full moon shining brightly in a clear sky. However, as the poem
progresses, the moon appears broken, resembling a shattered mirror. Its fragmented
rays illuminate the top of an oak tree, creating a striking visual contrast.
Q12. Why is the description of the moon different in the beginning and at the
end of the third stanza?

Ans: At the start of the third stanza, the poet describes the moon as shining
brightly in the open sky. However, by the end of the stanza, the moon appears
broken, resembling a mirror with its fragments sparkling in the crown of the tallest
oak tree. This change in description is due to the movement of the trees outside,
which alters the way the moon is perceived.

Q13. Justify the revolt of the trees and state two values that the man should
possess to stop the revolt.

Ans: The trees in the house feel suffocated as they grow. They attempt to free
themselves by pushing through the cracks in the veranda floor, stretching their
leaves towards the glass. Their actions are a justified revolt against their
confinement. To prevent such revolts, humans should recognise the importance of
trees and cultivate a sense of respect and care for nature.

Q14. How does the poet describe the night? How does she feel?

Ans: The night is described as fresh, with a full moon shining brightly in the open
sky. The poet senses the smell of leaves and lichen drifting into her room. Her
mind is filled with whispers, which she knows will fade into silence by the next
day.

Q15. Why are the trees described in the first stanza not useful for birds or
insects?

Ans: The trees mentioned in the first stanza are not beneficial for birds or insects
because they are either decorative plants kept indoors or depicted only in a
painting. As a result, birds cannot perch on their branches, and insects have no
place to hide within them.

Q16. What happens to the roots and leaves of these trees at night?

Ans: The roots of these trees are tangled in the cracks of the veranda floor. At
night, they attempt to free themselves from these confines. Meanwhile, the leaves
reach towards the glass, striving for light. The twigs become rigid with effort, and
the branches stretch under the roof, resembling newly released patients moving
towards the clinic doors.

Q17. Why does the poet use the metaphor of newly discharged patients?

Ans: The metaphor of newly discharged patients illustrates the feeling of relief and
eagerness to escape confinement. Just as a patient, once healed, rushes towards the
clinic doors, the plants in pots also feel suffocated due to a lack of light. They
stretch towards the glass door, hoping to find the light they need to thrive.

Q18. Why are the trees moving out into the forest?

Ans: In the poem, the trees serve as a metaphor for human beings. Just as people
cherish their freedom, nature cannot be easily controlled by humans. The trees
have been confined within artificial glasshouses, which contrasts with their natural
habitat in the forest. After enduring a long struggle, they are breaking free from
these barriers. They are moving triumphantly back to the forest, their original
home.

Q19. What will be the condition of a treeless forest?

Ans: No one can envision a forest without trees, as they are its lifeline. In the
absence of trees, there would be no activity from birds or insects, and even the sun
would lose its shade. Birds would have nowhere to perch, while insects would lack
hiding spots. Without trees, the forest would be a barren space, devoid of life and
shelter.

Q20. Why is the poet hopeful that the empty forest will be full of trees by the
morning?

Ans: The poet expresses a strong sense of optimism. He believes that the barriers
created by humans to control nature will be overcome. The trees, which have been
deprived of their natural habitat, will struggle to free themselves from human
constraints. This struggle will not be in vain; by morning, the trees will emerge
victorious, filling the once-empty forest.
Q21. Describe the comparison between boughs and the newly discharged
patients in the last lines of the second stanza.

Ans: The theme of freedom is evident in the comparison between the trees and the
newly discharged patients. The cramped branches of the trees, confined in artificial
glasshouses, yearn to be free. They struggle to break out into the open. Similarly,
the newly discharged patients are eager to escape their hospital beds. They rush
towards the doors, longing to experience the taste of freedom once more.

Q22. Why doesn’t the poet make any mention of the struggle waged by the
trees to free themselves to move towards the forest in her long letters?

Ans: The poet is inside her room, writing long letters while observing the world
around her. The struggle of the trees—leaves, twigs, boughs, and roots—occurs
right before her eyes, yet she chooses to overlook this significant event. This may
be due to her feelings of shock and embarrassment at the sudden and unexpected
changes taking place.