LAQ from "On Killing a Tree" for 2025 (HS)

(Q.1) Justify the title of the poem, “On Killing A Tree”? [2016]

Ans. Gieve Patel’s On Killing A Tree” presents an ironic picture of man’s attitude towards tree. A tree is a generous helper of man but the man is too foolish to realize it. So, like a professional killer, man thinks of all possible ways to kill the tree. The tree consumes nutrients from the earth and absorbs sunlight, air and water for years. Thus the tree grows slowly. The tree is the greatest friend of man and a generous helper of man. But in return, it has to suffer much. It struggles hard for existence because of man’s cruelty. The poem focuses on the irony of killing a benefactor by its beneficiary. Thus the poem, from its beginning to ends, describes in detail the process and consequence of killing a tree. so, the title is appropriate.

(Q: 2) “And then it is done” – what is ‘it’ referred to here? When is ‘it’ done? How is it done? [2020]

Ans. Here ‘it’ refers to the process of destroying or killing the tree completely.

>When the root of a tree is pulled out of the earth after being tied with a rope, and passes it some processes in the sun to kill the tree completely.

>After uprooting entirely from the earth-cave, the tree passes through processes of scorching, choking, browning, twisting, and withering in the presence of sun and air. In this way, the killing of a tree is complete. This line highlights man’s satisfaction in destroying nature. Ironically, it shows how man glorifies his cruelty. 

(Q.3) " It takes much time to kill a tree"

(i)Why does it take much time to kill a tree?

(ii) According to the poet, how is the tree finally killed? [ 2015 & 18]

Ans. (i) It is not easy to kill a tree because it has deep roots. So, a stab of the knife or hacking and chopping the tree cannot kill it. To kill a tree the root has to be pulled out. It has to be scorched and choked in the sun and air so that it becomes brown, hard, twisted and dry. Only then does a tree die. So it takes much time and effort to kill a tree.

(ii) The tree is finally killed when the root is pulled out. The root is the main strength of the tree. It lies hidden under the earth. It is to be pulled out entirely from there. To do this the tree is to be roped, tied and then snapped out. Then the uprooted tree is scorched or choked in sun and air. Finally it is browned and hardened, twisted and withered. In this way the tree is completely killed.

(Q.4) How does the poet describe man's cruelty and violence in the poem, "On Killing a Tree"?

Ans.In the poem," On Killing a Tree ", the poet describes the whole process of Killing a Tree. The poem gives the description of man's cruelty towards nature. Man applies various methods to kill the tree for commercial purposes. Man is heartless and trees die.Ironically the Killing of a tree in a Violence manner gives out the lesson of non-violence. The poet shows man's cruelty towards the tree to arous our love and sympathy for all objects of nature, including trees.

(Q.5) " It has grown slowly....... Out of its leprous hide sprouting leaves"--

What does the expression" Leprous hide" refer to? What grows from it? What does the line signify? How does it look? Bring out the irony of the line? *****

Ans. In Gieve Patel's poem, 'On Killing a Tree', the expression ' Leprous hide' refers to the discoloured and rough bark of a tree.

From this 'leprous hide,' green leaves sprout, signifying new growth and life.

This line represents the resilience and vitality of the tree, which continues to grow and flourish over time.

In appearance, the tree's bark is rough, patchy, and textured, resembling the skin of a leprosy patient. This comparison makes the tree seem both vulnerable and strong at the same time.

The irony in the line lies in the fact that, despite its seemingly diseased and damaged exterior, the tree is full of life and continues to grow. While one might expect something unhealthy to wither away, the tree defies this expectation by continuously sprouting new leaves, reinforcing its power of survival.