Page 3 - LN3-MODULE
P. 3

The Trees: Poem and Explanation

                    STANZA 1:
                    The poet says that the trees are moving out of the confines of the houses, into the open
                    forest. This is unrealistic as trees are immoveable and hence, we realize that the poem has a
                    symbolic meaning. We interpret that trees refer to females who have healed themselves
                    and are ready to move out of their homes, into the forests to fulfil their primary purpose of
                    filling the world with mankind. Further she adds that the forest has been empty for the past
                    many days and so, no birds can be seen as they do not have any trees to sit on, on insects
                    can be seen as they do not have any shelter and the Sunlight cannot form any shadows. The
                    forest of humanity has remained empty for many days but will soon be full and bright.
                    Literary Devices:
                          1. Personification: Sun bury it’s feet. Sun has been personified.
                          2. Enjambment: Continuation of a sentence to the next line (the forest that was……
                    trees by morning).
                          3. Anaphora: 2 lines begin with ‘no’
                          4. imagery: “The trees inside are moving out into the forest” - shows kinestatic
                    imagery
                    CHECK YOUR VOCAB
                                Disengage: remove
                                Strain: pressure
                                Twigs: small stem
                                Exertion: effort
                                Cramped: restricted
                                Boughs: branch
                                Shuffling: mixing
                                Discharged: send out
                                Dazed: stun
                    Literary Devices:
                       1.  Enjambment: continuation of sentence to the next line (the leaves strain……. Half
                          dazed)
                       2.  Simile: trees compared to patients (like newly discharged patients)
                       3.  Personification: twigs and boughs have been personified.
                    CHECK YOUR VOCAB
                         Scarcely: barely
                         Departure: leaving
                         Lichen: crusty patches of bushes of fungus and algae on tree trunks, having a distinct
                          smell

                    The poet says that she is sitting in her veranda, writing long letters. She does not mention
                    about the trees leaving her house in her letters. She says that the night is very clear. She can
                    see the complete moon which is shining. The smell of leaves and lichens is like a voice which
                    is yelling and expressing a desire for freedom from the confines of the house.

                    Literary Devices:
                       1.  Alliteration: ‘long letters’ forest from’ ‘sky still’ ‘leaves and lichen’
                       2.  Enjambment: continuation of sentence to the next line (doors open….the house)
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