How does the poet build up the tone of the poem, 'On killing a Tree"? / Write a note on the use of Irony in the poem "On Killing a Tree."Discuss the irony in the poem "On Killing a Tree."

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How does the poet build up the tone of the poem, 'On killing a Tree"? 

Discuss the irony 

Write a note on the use of Irony in the poem "On Killing a Tree."

Ans:

The tone of Gieve Patel's poem "On Killing a Tree" is distinctly ironic, with this irony evident from the very title. The title itself introduces a surprising twist by portraying the act of killing a tree as if it were a ceremonial task, imbuing the poem with an unexpected and thought-provoking tone. Throughout the poem, Patel maintains this ironic tone by highlighting the complexity and resilience of a tree. The poet underscores that destroying a tree is not a swift or effortless undertaking. The gradual development of the tree is emphasized, challenging the notion that a simple strike of a knife can easily mar it. The poet dismisses the idea that a mere hack or chop can bring the tree down. Instead, he reveals that to truly kill a tree, it must be uprooted, emphasizing the depth and strength of its roots. As the poem progresses, the irony intensifies. The poet notes that even uprooting the tree is not the end of the task; it must be transformed into seasoned wood. This further underscores the laborious and deliberate nature of the process, turning the seemingly simple act of killing a tree into a complex and ceremonial affair. The climax of the irony is reached towards the end of the poem. The poet's observations, filled with a touch of sarcasm, drive home the point that the act of killing a tree is not as straightforward as it may seem at first glance.

 The ironical tone serves to challenge and provoke thought about humanity's relationship with nature and the often thoughtless actions taken against it. The poet builds an ironic tone in "On Killing a Tree" through the unexpected ceremonial portrayal of the act, highlighting the gradual growth of the tree, and emphasizing the complexity and effort required to destroy it. This irony prompts readers to reconsider the significance of such actions and their implications for the natural world