How does a tree offer resistance to its destruction in Gieve Patel's poem On Killing a Tree ? How does its resistance fail?


How does a tree offer resistance to its destruction ? How does its resistance fail?

Ans : A tree offers great resistance to its destruction .It is very difficult to kill a tree by a simple jab of the knife .A tree grows slowly consuming the earth .When it rises out the earth ,it feeds upon the top layer of earth. It absorbs years of sunlight ,air and water. At every stage of its growth and development ,a tree faces challenges and offers resistance to its destruction. The act of hacking and chopping cannot kill a tree. Its bleeding bark heals itself. The tree may fall but the trunk will remain. It has its main root run deeper into the earth. The bark will be damaged ,no doubt .But it will not succumb to death .A tree has great vitality .If the small branches are unstopped ,they will expand again to its former size. Hence a tree resists its destruction.
The resistance of a tree fails when its roots are pulled out by force. A tree fails to stand against man's cruelty and violence when they are exposed to sun and air for scorching and choking. When the roots turn brown ,hard ,twisted and withered ,the tree is finally killed.




How does a tree offer resistance to its destruction in Gieve Patel's poem On Killing a Tree ? How does its resistance fail? (For advanced learners)

Ans :A tree in Gieve Patel's poem "On Killing a Tree" exhibits formidable resistance against attempts at its destruction. Simple acts like hacking and chopping with a knife prove insufficient to kill the tree. The tree's gradual growth involves it consuming nutrients from the earth, absorbing years of sunlight, air, and water in the process. Throughout its life, the tree confronts challenges at various stages, persistently resisting destruction.

Even if the tree falls, its trunk endures, and the main root extends deeper into the earth, showcasing its tenacity. Although the bark may suffer damage, it possesses the ability to heal itself, preventing the tree from succumbing to death. The tree's vitality is emphasized, and if the small branches are cut, they have the capacity to expand and grow back to their former size, underscoring the tree's resilience.

However, the tree's resistance reaches a breaking point when external forces forcefully pull out its roots. Man's cruelty and violence expose the tree's vulnerability, subjecting it to scorching and choking when roots are exposed to sun and air. The pivotal moment of failure occurs when the roots undergo a transformation, turning brown, hard, twisted, and withered. This marks the final stage of the tree's defeat, leading to its eventual demise.

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