NCERT Solutions For Class 9 English Poem Chapter 8 : On Killing a Tree

"On Killing a Tree," composed by Gieve Patel, narrates the cruelty of "killing" trees. The poet here specifically uses the word "killing" instead of chopping to humanise the entity and make his readers aware of the fact that the tree is as well a living being just like them. The tree, much like humans, grows up feeding on the nutrients of the soil. They absorb years of sunlight, air, and water to grow into a strong tree. To cut a tree requires much more effort than a "simple jab of the knife". One has to chop the tree repeatedly to cut down a tree, but even then, the tree will regrow again. The tree is capable of healing the wounds that humans inflict on its bark.

Humanising the tree, the poet states that the tree bleeds and feels pain, but it does not die. To kill it successfully, the poet states that the tree has to be removed entirely from the earth. The roots of the tree have to be unearthed and pulled out. It is when the roots are pulled out from the earth, the tree will die as it is left exposed to the harsh Sun. It gradually turns brown as it withers without being able to absorb the nutrients from the soil.

Through the use of words like "killing', "feeding", "pain", and "bleeding", the poet establishes that the tree is an equal living being like us. It feeds on soil nutrients as a young sapling, just as children. A tree, just like us, bleeds when it is wounded and feels pain. Therefore it is only apt if we consider chopping down a tree as killing a tree.