Short summary of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’, by Gieve Patel,

 

The simple poem with a profound meaning, ‘On Killing a Tree’, has been written by Gieve Patel, a famous Indian poet and playwright. He was born in Mumbai, and has completed all of his education from Mumbai.

The poet through this poem ironically conveys a profound message to the readers on saving trees. He ironically conveys a message that we should not cut trees. He says that trees are living beings just like human beings or any other form of life.

The poet, Gieve Patel, has effectively used irony and has successfully conveyed his intended message to the readers. In the poem, he meticulously explains all the effective steps to completely finish off a tree, but implies just the opposite.

 He means to say that trees are very important part of our life. They are living beings just like any other form of life, we should not destroy them. Indirectly, he persuades the readers not to destroy trees and equates it with “killing” a human being.

 The poem starts by stating that destroying a tree takes a long time. Stabbing a tree with a knife is insufficient to kill it. It is difficult to kill a tree since it has become strong by absorbing many elements. For a long time, it has consumed nutrients from the earth and absorbed sunlight, air, and water to the point that numerous leaves have grown on it.

The poet explains in this stanza that it takes a lot of work to kill a tree. According to him, a simple stab and chop won’t entirely kill the tree. It would only harm the tree, which would suffer as a result of its strength.

 The battling spirit of trees will soon regain its full power, and the injured bark will heal over time, allowing the tree to grow again. The tree will regrow green twigs and tiny branches and revert to its original size before being chopped or dead. As a result, it is difficult to destroy a tree using these measures.

 Further the poet describes the specific process by which a tree can be killed. He claims that its roots must be destroyed from deep inside the earth’s soil to kill a tree completely. The tree’s strength comes from its roots. It provides support for the tree’s most fragile and sensitive parts. It must be pulled out entirely from deep inside the earth. 

The poet claims in the final stanza that once the roots are uprooted, they will be exposed to the sun and air. As a result of the heat, the roots begin to die. They turn brown, and their delicate surface hardens and dries. The roots lose their form with time and begin to twist. The tree will eventually die.

In short, we can say that the poet, Gieve Patel, describes the cruelty of man in killing/destroying the tree with irony and conveys a message that trees are an essential and integral part of our life, and so we should not cut them.

 Thus, he sympathizes with the tree and nature in general as it is being destroyed day-by-day by selfish humans.

 Some of the prominent themes in the poem include:

 

Environmental Destruction:

The central theme of the poem revolves around the environmental impact of cutting down a tree. The poet highlights the magnitude of the destructive force unleashed upon nature when a tree is killed. The poem serves as a powerful commentary on deforestation and the broader ecological concerns associated with human actions.

 

Resilience and Survival:

Despite the destructive act described in the poem, there is an acknowledgment of the tree's resilience. The poem explores how trees, despite being cut down, have the potential to sprout again, showcasing nature's ability to rebound and survive even in the face of adversity.

 

Human Indifference and Exploitation:

The poem delves into the theme of human indifference towards nature. It critiques the callousness with which humans often exploit natural resources without considering the long-term consequences. The act of killing a tree in the poem serves as a metaphor for the broader issue of human exploitation of the environment.

 

Symbolism of Trees:

Trees are often symbolic of life, growth, and interconnectedness in literature. In this poem, the tree represents not only a living entity but also the interconnected web of life. The act of killing a tree is symbolic of disrupting this delicate balance and interconnectedness.

 

Elegy for Nature:

The poem can be seen as an elegy or lament for the loss of nature. It mourns the destruction of something inherently valuable and beautiful in the natural world.

Some of the prominent themes in the poem include:

 

Environmental Destruction:

The central theme of the poem revolves around the environmental impact of cutting down a tree. The poet highlights the magnitude of the destructive force unleashed upon nature when a tree is killed. The poem serves as a powerful commentary on deforestation and the broader ecological concerns associated with human actions.

 

Resilience and Survival:

Despite the destructive act described in the poem, there is an acknowledgment of the tree's resilience. The poem explores how trees, despite being cut down, have the potential to sprout again, showcasing nature's ability to rebound and survive even in the face of adversity.

 

Human Indifference and Exploitation:

The poem delves into the theme of human indifference towards nature. It critiques the callousness with which humans often exploit natural resources without considering the long-term consequences. The act of killing a tree in the poem serves as a metaphor for the broader issue of human exploitation of the environment.

 

Symbolism of Trees:

Trees are often symbolic of life, growth, and interconnectedness in literature. In this poem, the tree represents not only a living entity but also the interconnected web of life. The act of killing a tree is symbolic of disrupting this delicate balance and interconnectedness.

 

Elegy for Nature:

The poem can be seen as an elegy or lament for the loss of nature. It mourns the destruction of something inherently valuable and beautiful in the natural world.