Poem: The Trees
by Adrienne Rich
Textual Questions (Page No. 98)
Q1. (i) Find, in the first stanza, three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest.
Ans. The sun cannot raise its head, the bird cannot sit, and the insects cannot hide in a treeless forest.
(ii) What picture do these words create in your mind: “sun bury its feet in shadow,” “the moon is broken like a mirror,” “its pieces flash now in the crown of the tallest oak”?
Ans. These phrases create vivid, poetic images:
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The sun burying its feet in shadow suggests fading light and darkness spreading.
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The moon broken like a mirror suggests scattered light, fragmented beauty.
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The pieces flashing in the crown of the oak suggests shimmering moonlight reflected in the trees.
Q2. (i) Where are the trees in the poem? What do their roots, leaves, and twigs do?
Ans. The trees in the poem are inside houses, away from their natural habitat. Their roots try to free themselves, leaves push against the glass, and twigs strain toward the light, as if yearning to break free.
(ii) What does the poet compare their branches to?
Ans. The poet compares their long-cramped branches to newly discharged patients moving haltingly out of a clinic.
Q3. (i) How does the poet describe the moon?
Ans. The moon is described as broken like a mirror, its pieces scattered and flashing in the crown of the tallest oak outside.
(ii) What happens to the house when the trees move out of it?
Ans. The house becomes silent and empty, filled only with the smell of leaves and lichen, symbolising abandonment.
Q4. Why do you think the poet does not mention “the departure of the forest from the house” in her letters?
Ans. Perhaps the poet feels it is too personal or symbolic to explain in ordinary letters. It represents not only physical trees leaving but also freedom, rebellion, and change—things difficult to capture in casual words.
Q5. What does the poem “The Trees” make you think of? Are there trees in your neighbourhood? Find out more about any one tree and write a paragraph about it.
Ans. The poem makes us think of deforestation, urbanisation, and the loss of harmony with nature. (Example) Yes, in my neighbourhood we have a neem tree. It is tall, with medicinal leaves used in skincare and traditional remedies. It provides shade and homes for many birds. It stands as a reminder of nature’s importance in our lives.
Extra Questions & Answers
Short Answer Type
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Where are the trees in the beginning of the poem?
They are inside houses, confined and struggling to break free. -
How do the trees attempt to free themselves?
Their roots work to disengage from the cracks, leaves push against glass, and twigs stretch towards light. -
What does the comparison with “newly discharged patients” suggest?
It suggests recovery, renewal, and the awkward yet determined struggle for freedom after long confinement. -
How is the moon described in the poem?
As broken like a mirror, its pieces flashing in the crown of the tallest oak. -
What larger message does the poem convey?
The poem conveys both ecological conservation and symbolic human liberation.
Long Answer Type
Q1. How does Adrienne Rich use imagery to present the theme of freedom in “The Trees”?
Ans. Adrienne Rich employs powerful imagery to highlight the struggle for freedom. The trees are shown as imprisoned in houses, their roots breaking cracks, their leaves pressing against glass, and twigs straining towards light. This imagery conveys both the physical effort of trees and the metaphorical effort of humans seeking liberation. The branches are compared to patients newly discharged from clinics—weak yet determined, symbolising renewal. The house becomes silent and empty once the trees leave, showing that confinement is unnatural for them. The moon, broken like a mirror, with its fragments flashing on the oak, adds to the image of fragmentation leading to new beauty. Through these vivid images, Rich presents freedom as a hard but necessary process.
Q2. Discuss the symbolic significance of trees in the poem.
Ans. The trees in the poem are symbolic of both nature and human beings. On one level, they represent the natural world, which is trapped in human spaces through urbanisation, deforestation, and exploitation. Their struggle to move out signifies the ecological need to let nature be free. On another level, the trees symbolise women and marginalised groups struggling against confinement. Adrienne Rich, a feminist poet, often used such symbols to portray women breaking free from domestic and social oppression. The trees reclaiming the forest represent human beings reclaiming freedom and identity. Thus, the trees are not just physical plants but metaphors for liberation, growth, and renewal.
Summary of the Poem
Adrienne Rich’s poem The Trees is a symbolic work that deals with themes of nature, freedom, and the struggle against confinement. The poem uses the image of trees moving out of houses into the forest to represent both ecological and social liberation.
The poem begins with a striking observation: the forest is empty because the trees have been imprisoned inside houses. They are potted, trimmed, and confined, unable to grow naturally. The poet lists what is missing from a treeless forest—the sunlight, birds, and insects. These images highlight the unnatural state of human interference with nature.
The trees are depicted as striving for freedom. Their roots attempt to break out from the cracks in the veranda, while their leaves press against the window panes. The twigs stretch themselves out, straining toward the light. This imagery conveys both physical struggle and symbolic resistance against confinement.
Rich compares the trees’ branches to patients who have just been discharged from a clinic. This simile suggests recovery, renewal, and the awkward yet determined steps of those who are regaining strength after long suffering. Similarly, the trees are regaining their natural freedom.
As the trees begin to move out, the house is described as becoming silent and empty, except for the lingering smell of leaves and lichen. This shows that though human spaces may feel incomplete without nature, it is necessary for trees to reclaim their rightful place in forests.
The poet also creates a vivid image of the moon as “broken like a mirror,” with its pieces flashing in the crown of the tallest oak. This image represents change and fragmentation, but also beauty and renewal. The oak, standing outside in its natural setting, becomes a symbol of nature’s triumph and continuity.
Thematically, the poem has multiple layers. On one level, it is about ecology and the environment, reflecting the need for trees to grow in forests and not be trapped in human spaces. It conveys the message of conservation and respect for nature.
On a deeper level, the poem can also be read as a metaphor for human liberation, particularly women’s struggle for freedom and independence. Adrienne Rich, a feminist poet, often used imagery of confinement and escape to symbolise women’s fight against patriarchal structures. The trees breaking free from houses can be seen as women reclaiming their power and identity.
Stylistically, the poem is written in free verse, with strong imagery and symbolism. It does not rhyme, but its rhythm flows naturally, echoing the movement of trees. The poet’s use of metaphors—such as trees as patients, moon as a broken mirror—creates a powerful visual impact.
In conclusion, The Trees is both an ecological and social poem. It speaks of the need to respect nature’s freedom and also symbolises human struggles for liberation. By giving voice to trees, Adrienne Rich reminds us that both nature and humanity seek freedom, growth, and renewal.
✒️ Biography of Adrienne Rich
Adrienne Cecile Rich (1929–2012) was an American poet, essayist, and feminist widely regarded as one of the most influential voices of the 20th century. She was born on 16 May 1929 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, into a scholarly family. Her father was a doctor and professor of pathology, while her mother was a pianist and composer.
Rich studied at Radcliffe College, where she was deeply influenced by literary traditions but also began to develop her own voice. Her first collection, A Change of World (1951), was chosen by the famous poet W. H. Auden for publication, earning her early acclaim.
Over the decades, Rich’s poetry evolved from formal structures to free verse, reflecting her growing engagement with social and political issues. She became a leading feminist voice, writing about women’s struggles, identity, and resistance against oppression.
Her works include Diving into the Wreck (1973), which won the National Book Award, and The Fact of a Doorframe(1984). In her poetry, Rich combined personal experiences with broader themes of justice, equality, and ecology.
The Trees, included in NCERT textbooks, reflects her concern with both environmental issues and symbolic liberation. The trees’ struggle to move out of houses can be read as nature reclaiming its space or as women breaking free from domestic confinement.
Rich also wrote essays and lectures that influenced feminist theory and activism. She refused several prestigious awards, including the National Medal of Arts in 1997, as a protest against government policies, showing her commitment to principles.
Throughout her career, she was known for her honesty, courage, and willingness to challenge societal norms. Her poetry was not just art but a form of activism, addressing issues like war, racism, inequality, and environmental destruction.
Adrienne Rich passed away in 2012 at the age of 82. She remains one of the most celebrated feminist poets of the 20th century. Her works continue to inspire readers to question authority, value freedom, and respect nature.