On Killing a Tree

ON KILLING A TREE TREE - Gieve patel Introduction :

The poem “on killing a tree” by Gieve patel is a recipe that tells us how to kill a tree. Step – by – step instructions are provided to ensure the death of a tree. The poet makes us realize that killing a tree is a bloodridden business. !t also refers the destructive nature of humans and the indestructibility of "ature. Tree Tr ee – A powerful creation :

# tree cannot be so easily or $uickly killed. “!t takes much time to kill a tree” %ne cannot kill it with with &ust a stab' pierce pierce or punch of a knife. The tree has grown slowly consuming the earth ( fed upon u pon its crust. !t has absorbed years of sunlight' air and water. The leaves have sprouted out of its bark' which looks like the discoloured skin of leper. Futile effort:

)epeated cutting or chopping or regular blows will not kill a tree. The tree will not feel any kind of o f pain. The bleeding bark seems to heal h eal all the time. The trunk of the tree from the ground will produce curled green twigs. !f unchecked' these miniature  boughs will e*pand again and grow to their former size. Entire pull out :

The root of the tree must be entirely pulled out of the earth into which it had been anchored. The tree should be tied with rope. Then it shall be pulled apa rt or broken with snapping sound. The root of the tree is its source of strength. This sensitive part has been hidden inside earth for years together. This white and wet root has to be p ulled out. Then comes the damage of the te*ture of the tree. !t is done by scorching or  burning to discolour. Then it has to be browned' twisted' hardened and withered. Then only the killing process will be over. Concluion:

+inally this poem seems to be a description d escription of the process of killing a tree. ,ut it has several layers of meaning. !t reveals the destructive nature of humans. !t also suggests that nature is inevitable. The tree itself seems to be symbol of mankind. -uman kind will not easily come to end.

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Ea! on "an Ale#ander pope$

Introduction :

“ essay on man “ is a philosophic poem by #le*ander pope. -e was a great neo classical poet. The poem is written in heroic couplets. This poem is a n e*tract from his famous poem “ssay on man”. !t consists of four epistles. !t is about human nature and the potential for happiness in relation to god. !t e*poses the uni$ue nature of man. %elf – tud!:

/an has studied everything aroung himself. -e has command over many things in the world. -is mastery of knowledge tempts him to study god himself but he has no right to do so. -e should study his own nature and his relation to god. Self study is very important for man. &an' dile""a:

-e is &ust like an !sthumus between two e*tremes. -e is wise but ignorant and great but rude. -e has too much knowledge but doubts the valure of ideas and beliefs. -e has so much weakness that he cannot feel proud like the stoic. -e doubts whether he is a god or beast. -e doubts whether he should act or rest from action. -e doubts whether he shoul prefer his body or mind. Thus he is not strong in mind. Nature of "an :

/an cannot live permanently. -e has to die one day. -e can argue and discuss  brilliantly. ,ut he makes mistakes in conclusion. -e thinks too little or too much. ,ut he is always confused and ignorant. -e always labours under chaos of thought and passion. 0hat he thinks is true' is not real. So' he abuses and disabuses himself. &an a a riddle:

“1reated half to rise and half to falls” /an is created by God to achieve great heights. ,ut he rises only half the height and falls down in the middle. -e regards himself as great lord of all things. ,ut he always falls a victim to all. -e prides himself as the only &udge of truth. ,ut he always makes error in his &udgement. Concluion:

+inally' the poet concludes that man is a honour' &oke and puzzle of the world. Thus the poem reveals the unusual nature of man and his potential for happiness in relation to God.

A noiele patient pider - (alt ()it"an$ Introduction:

0alt 0hitman is a great #merican poet of the 23th century. This poem is one of finest lyrics of 0hitman. This poem is taken from the collection' “ leaves of Grasses “. The poem at the outset looks as though the spider is busy making its web. +inally it gives a symbolic meaning. That is the spider is the soul trying to connect with God. %pider' peritence :

The poet saw a spider standing on little promontory. !t was alone working noiseless and patient. The spider was spinning silken thread to span a void. !t was trying to e*plore its vacant vast surroundings. !t was weav ing and reeling out one filament after filament tirelessly out of itself. !t was trying to catch a point and build a bridge. %piritual i*nificance :

The activities of the spider reminds him of man4s spiritual and intellectual $uests. The poet addresses his soul which like the spider' stands alone in a measureless space. The poet4s soul is yearning for a union with God. !t yearns for relationship with divinity in both life and death. The soul goes on musing' venturing and seeking to connect the known to the unknown. &etap)oric "eanin*:

The spider is comparable to a human. ach creature is tirelessly constructing  bonds to its surroundings. # human builds ships' air planes and bridges. Sometimes he crosses a void with a telescope as Galileo did. -e reaches new plateau of knowledge with a $uestion as Socrates did. Concluion:

+inally the poem suggests that man tries to e*plore the vast universe of meaning and knowledge. -e has courage to venture into unknown territory. -e has patience to  build a ple*us that links two places. !t portrays the poet4s mastery of handling a big sub&ect within a brief compass.