The Trees Solutions and Questions & Answers

Content Structure

1. About the author – Adrienne Rich
2. Summary of the poem The Trees
3. Word meanings
4. Thinking about the poem
5. Extra Questions and Answers
- 5A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- 5B. Fill in the blanks
- 5C. True and false
- 5D. One-sentence questions and answers
- 5D. Short Questions and Answers
- 5E. Long Questions and Answers

1. About the Author – Adrienne Rich

Adrienne Rich was a renowned American poet, essayist, and feminist writer. She was born on May 16, 1929, in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. She is regarded as one of the most influential poets of the twentieth century. She wrote about important social issues such as freedom, equality, justice, women’s rights, and human relationships. In her poem The Trees, Adrienne Rich uses the image of trees leaving a house and returning to the forest to symbolize the desire for freedom and self-expression. Her writing is known for its powerful imagery, deep symbolism, and strong message of liberation. She died on March 27, 2012, in Santa Cruz, California, United States.

2. Summary of the Poem The Trees

“The Trees” is a symbolic poem that describes trees leaving a house and moving towards a forest. The poet imagines the trees as living beings that have been trapped inside the house for a long time. During the night, they struggle to free themselves from the floor, walls, and roof. By morning, they finally escape and return to the forest. The poem symbolizes the desire for freedom. The trees represent all living beings, especially women and oppressed people, who want to break free from restrictions and live independently. The poet suggests that freedom is natural and necessary for growth. The poem also highlights the connection between humans and nature and emphasizes that everything should exist in its proper place.

3. Word Meanings

Word	Meaning
Shadow	A dark shape made when light is blocked
Disengage	To free or separate
Cracks	Narrow openings or splits
Strain	To stretch with effort
Twigs	Thin branches
Stiff	Hard and difficult to bend
Exertion	Great effort
Long-cramped	Kept in a confined space for a long time
Boughs	Large branches of a tree
Shuffling	Moving slowly with dragging steps
Departure	The act of leaving
Lichen	A plant-like growth found on trees and rocks
Whispers	Soft, low sounds
Stumbling	Moving unsteadily

4. Thinking about the poem

1. (i) Find, in the first stanza, three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest.
Ans: In the first stanza, the poet mentions three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest:

No bird can sit on the branches because there are no trees.
No insect can hide because there are no leaves or bark for shelter.
The sun cannot bury its feet in shadow because there are no trees to create shade.

These images show how empty and lifeless a forest becomes without trees.

1. (ii) What picture do these words create in your mind: “… sun bury its feet in shadow…”? What could the poet mean by the sun’s ‘feet’?
Ans: These words create the picture of sunlight falling through trees and forming shadows on the ground. The poet imagines the sun as a living being whose feet touch the earth. The word “feet” refers to the sun’s rays that reach the ground. In a forest full of trees, these rays are partly hidden by shadows. Through this image, the poet highlights the beauty and richness of a natural forest.

2. (i) Where are the trees in the poem? What do their roots, their leaves, and their twigs do?
Ans: The trees in the poem are inside a house. They have been confined there and are trying to move out into the forest where they naturally belong. The roots work all night to free themselves from the cracks in the veranda floor. The leaves stretch and strain toward the glass windows as if they are trying to reach the outside world. The twigs become stiff with effort because they are struggling to move. These actions show the trees’ strong desire to escape from confinement and return to nature.

2. (ii) What does the poet compare their branches to?
Ans: The poet compares the branches of the trees to newly discharged patients coming out of a clinic. Just as patients move slowly and uncertainly after being released from a hospital, the branches also move awkwardly because they have been confined for a long time. This comparison emphasizes the trees’ struggle and their gradual movement toward freedom.

3. (i) How does the poet describe the moon: (a) at the beginning of the third stanza, and (b) at its end? What causes this change?
Ans: At the beginning of the third stanza, the poet describes the moon as whole and shining brightly in the open sky. It creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere. At the end of the poem, the moon appears broken like a mirror. Its pieces seem to flash in the crown of the tallest oak tree. This change is caused by the movement of the trees into the forest. As the branches spread out and sway in the moonlight, they break up the moon’s reflection, making it appear as if the moon has shattered into many shining pieces.

3. (ii) What happens to the house when the trees move out of it?
Ans: When the trees move out of the house, the house becomes empty and quiet. The sounds of movement and whispers disappear. The smell of leaves and lichen that once entered the rooms also fades away. The house loses the presence of nature that had filled it. This change suggests that the trees have finally returned to their natural home in the forest.

3. (iii) Why do you think the poet does not mention “the departure of the forest from the house” in her letters?
Ans: The poet does not mention the departure of the forest because the event is unusual, symbolic, and difficult to explain. She may be deeply absorbed in observing the trees and reflecting on their freedom. Sometimes people remain silent about important events because they are surprising, emotional, or hard to express in words. The poet chooses to quietly witness the transformation instead of describing it directly in her letters.

4. (i) Does the poem present a conflict between man and nature? Compare it with A Tiger in the Zoo. Is the poet suggesting that plants and trees, used for ‘interior decoration’ in cities while forests are cut down, are ‘imprisoned’, and need to ‘break out’?
Ans: Yes, the poem presents a conflict between human beings and nature. The trees have been kept inside a house instead of growing freely in a forest. This suggests that humans often control and confine nature for their own purposes.

This idea is similar to A Tiger in the Zoo, where the tiger is locked inside a cage and deprived of its natural freedom. In both poems, living beings are separated from their natural surroundings. The tiger wants to roam freely in the jungle, while the trees want to return to the forest.

The poet seems to suggest that trees used for decoration in homes and cities are like prisoners. By showing the trees breaking out and returning to the forest, she emphasizes that nature should be allowed to exist freely in its natural environment.

4. (ii) Adrienne Rich has been known to use trees as a metaphor for human beings. What new meanings emerge from the poem if you take its trees to be symbolic of this particular meaning?
Ans: If the trees are viewed as symbols of human beings, the poem takes on a deeper meaning. The trees represent people who have been restricted by social rules, traditions, or unfair systems. Their movement out of the house symbolizes a struggle for freedom, independence, and self-expression. The poem can especially be linked to the experiences of women who have often faced limitations in society. Just as the trees work hard to free themselves, people also struggle to overcome restrictions and achieve equality. The poem then becomes a powerful message about personal growth, liberation, and the courage to create a better life.

5. You may read the poem On Killing a Tree by Gieve Patel. Compare and contrast it with the poem The Trees.
Ans: Both The Trees and On Killing a Tree focus on trees and highlight their importance, but they present different ideas and perspectives. In The Trees, the trees are shown as living beings struggling to escape from confinement and return to their natural environment. The poem symbolizes freedom, independence, and the desire to live naturally. The tone is hopeful because the trees successfully reach the forest. In On Killing a Tree, the poet explains how difficult it is to destroy a tree completely. The poem emphasizes the strength, endurance, and life force of trees. It shows that a tree cannot be killed simply by cutting its branches because its roots continue to survive and grow. Both poems personify trees and treat them as living beings with strength and determination. However, while The Trees focuses on freedom and liberation, On Killing a Tree focuses on resilience and survival. Together, the poems encourage readers to respect nature and understand the powerful bond between trees and life.

5. Extra Questions and Answers

5A. Multiple choice questions and Answers (MCQs)

1. The roots tried to disengage themselves from the cracks in the ______.
A. Wall
B. Roof
C. Veranda floor
D. Garden

Ans: (C) Veranda floor

2. The boughs are compared to ______.
A. Soldiers
B. Patients
C. Birds
D. Children

Ans: (B) Patients

3. What smell reaches into the rooms?
A. Flowers and grass
B. Leaves and lichen
C. Fruits and flowers
D. Rain and soil

Ans: (B) Leaves and lichen

4. The poet’s head is full of ______.
A. Songs
B. Dreams
C. Whispers
D. Memories

Ans: (C) Whispers

5. What is breaking according to the poet?
A. Branches
B. Glass
C. Roof
D. Floor

Ans: (B) Glass

6. Who rushes to meet the trees?
A. Birds
B. Animals
C. Winds
D. Insects

Ans: (C) Winds

7. The moon is broken like a ______.
A. Star
B. Crystal
C. Mirror
D. Glass

Ans: (C) Mirror

8. Which tree is mentioned in the poem?
A. Pine
B. Banyan
C. Neem
D. Oak

Ans: (D) Oak

9. By morning, the forest will be ______.
A. Empty
B. Full of trees
C. Full of animals
D. Covered with flowers

Ans: (B) Full of trees

10. The poem mainly deals with the theme of ______.
A. War
B. Friendship
C. Freedom and liberation
D. Adventure

Ans: (C) Freedom and liberation

11. The phrase “The trees inside are moving out” is an example of:
A. Simile
B. Personification
C. Irony
D. Hyperbole

Ans: (B) Personification

12. The comparison “like newly discharged patients” is an example of:
A. Metaphor
B. Alliteration
C. Simile
D. Oxymoron

Ans: (C) Simile

13. The trees in the poem symbolize:
A. Wealth
B. Power
C. Freedom and self-expression
D. Knowledge

Ans: (C) Freedom and self-expression

14. What atmosphere does the poem create?
A. Fearful and violent
B. Hopeful and transformative
C. Humorous and light-hearted
D. Sad and tragic

Ans: (B) Hopeful and transformative

15. What message does the poem convey?
A. Nature should be controlled by humans.
B. Freedom is essential for growth and happiness.
C. Cities are better than forests.
D. Trees are useful only for decoration.

Ans: (B) Freedom is essential for growth and happiness.

5B. Fill in the Blanks from The Trees

1. The trees inside are moving out into the __________. (forest)
2. The forest was empty all these __________. (days)
3. Small twigs are stiff with __________. (exertion)
4. Long-cramped __________ shuffle under the roof. (boughs)
5. The branches are compared to newly discharged __________. (patients)
6. The poet sits inside writing long __________. (letters)
7. The doors are open to the __________. (veranda)
8. The poet scarcely mentions the __________ of the forest from the house. (departure)
9. The night is __________. (fresh)
10. The whole __________ shines in the sky. (moon)

5C. True or False from The Trees

1. The trees are moving from the forest into the house. (False)
2. The roots are trapped in the cracks of the veranda floor. (True)
3. The leaves strain toward the glass. (True)
4. The night is described as fresh. (True)
5. The whole moon shines in the sky. (True)
6. The smell of flowers reaches into the rooms. (False)
7. The smell of leaves and lichen reaches into the rooms. (True)
8. The poet’s head is full of whispers. (True)
9. The whispers will become louder tomorrow. (False)
10. The glass is breaking as the trees move out. (True)

5D. One-Sentence Questions and Answers

1. Why was the forest empty?
Ans: The forest was empty because the trees were confined inside the house.

2. What worked all night to free the trees?
Ans: The roots worked all night to free the trees.

3. How are the twigs described in the poem?
Ans: The twigs are described as stiff with exertion.

4. What is the poet doing inside the house?
Ans: The poet is writing long letters inside the house.

5. What is the poet’s head full of?
Ans: The poet’s head is full of whispers.

6. Into what are the trees stumbling forward?
Ans: The trees are stumbling forward into the night.

7. What is the moon compared to?
Ans: The moon is compared to a broken mirror.

8. Which tree is mentioned in the poem?
Ans: The oak tree is mentioned in the poem.

9. What is the main theme of the poem?
Ans: The main theme of the poem is freedom and liberation.

10. Who is the poet of “The Trees”?
Ans: The poet of “The Trees” is Adrienne Rich.

11. What literary device is used in the line “The trees inside are moving out”?
Ans: The line uses personification.

12. What literary device is used in “like newly discharged patients”?
Ans: The phrase is an example of a simile.

13. What do the trees symbolize in the poem?
Ans: The trees symbolize freedom and self-expression.

14. What message does the poem convey?
Ans: The poem conveys that freedom is essential for growth and happiness.

5E. Short Answer Questions and Answers

1. Why was the forest empty in the poem?
Ans: The forest was empty because the trees were inside the house instead of being in their natural place. Without trees, the forest lacked birds, insects, and shadows, making it seem lifeless and deserted.

2. What are the roots doing at night?
Ans: The roots are working all night to free themselves from the cracks in the veranda floor. They are trying to escape from confinement and return to the forest.

3. Why do the leaves strain toward the glass?
Ans: The leaves strain toward the glass because the trees want to move outside. This action shows their strong desire for freedom and their wish to return to nature.

4. What does the poet compare the branches to?
Ans: The poet compares the branches to newly discharged patients leaving a clinic. This comparison shows that the trees move slowly and awkwardly after being confined for a long time.

5. Why are the twigs described as “stiff with exertion”?
Ans: The twigs are described as “stiff with exertion” because they are making great efforts to move out of the house. The poet wants readers to understand that the trees are struggling to gain freedom. The phrase highlights the difficulty and hard work involved in overcoming restrictions.

6. What does the poet mean by “the smell of leaves and lichen still reaches like a voice into the rooms”?
Ans: The poet means that nature continues to make its presence felt even inside the house. The smell of leaves and lichen enters the rooms as if nature is speaking. This image shows the close connection between human beings and the natural world.

7. Why is the night important in the poem?
Ans: The night is important because it is during this time that the trees begin their journey toward freedom. While everything seems quiet, the roots, leaves, and branches are actively working to escape. The darkness provides a suitable setting for this transformation and change.

8. Why does the poet ask the reader to “Listen”?
Ans: The poet asks the reader to “Listen” to draw attention to the important moment when the trees are finally breaking free. It creates a sense of excitement and urgency. The poet wants the reader to witness the transformation and appreciate its significance.

9. What does the breaking glass symbolize?
Ans: The breaking glass symbolizes the destruction of barriers and restrictions. The glass stands for the obstacles that have kept the trees trapped inside the house. As the glass breaks, the trees move toward freedom and independence.

10. How does the wind welcome the trees?
Ans: The poet says that the winds rush to meet the trees as they move into the forest. This creates the impression that nature is welcoming them back. It emphasizes that the trees truly belong in the forest and are being warmly received.

11. What does the house symbolize in the poem?
Ans: The house symbolizes confinement, restriction, and an unnatural environment. The trees do not belong inside the house, just as people do not like being limited by unfair rules or circumstances. The house represents anything that prevents freedom and natural growth.

12. How does the poem end on a hopeful note?
Ans: The poem ends with the trees successfully reaching the forest. The wind welcomes them, and the moon shines among the branches. This successful return symbolizes freedom, renewal, and a better future, making the ending hopeful and inspiring.

5F. Long Answer Questions and Answers

1. How does the poet use personification in the poem?
Ans: The poet uses personification by giving human qualities to the trees. The trees are shown moving, struggling, and making efforts to escape from the house. Their roots work all night, the leaves strain toward the glass, and the branches shuffle under the roof. These actions make the trees appear like human beings seeking freedom. The poet also creates the impression that the trees have feelings and desires. Through personification, Adrienne Rich emphasizes the importance of freedom and helps readers connect emotionally with the trees and their struggle.

2. Explain the symbolic meaning of the poem.
Ans: The poem has a deeper symbolic meaning beyond the movement of trees. The trees represent people who are restricted by social rules, traditions, or other forms of oppression. Their movement from the house to the forest symbolizes the struggle to gain freedom and independence. The effort made by the roots, leaves, and branches shows that achieving freedom often requires courage and determination. Many readers also interpret the poem as a reflection of women’s desire for equality and self-expression. Thus, the poem becomes a powerful message about liberation, personal growth, and the right to live freely.

3. How does the poem highlight the relationship between humans and nature?
Ans: The poem highlights a close relationship between humans and nature. The poet observes the movement of the trees and notices the smell of leaves and lichen entering the rooms. Nature seems alive and capable of communicating through sounds, scents, and movement. The poet suggests that trees belong in the forest and should not be confined inside houses. By showing the trees returning to their natural environment, she emphasizes the importance of respecting nature and maintaining harmony with it. The poem reminds readers that humans and nature are deeply connected.

4. Describe the symbolic significance of the trees in the poem.
Ans: The trees in the poem have a symbolic meaning beyond their literal existence. They represent individuals who are confined by social, political, or personal restrictions. Just as the trees struggle to free themselves from the house, people often struggle to overcome limitations imposed upon them. The movement of the trees into the forest symbolizes liberation, self-discovery, and independence. Many readers also interpret the trees as symbols of women seeking equality and freedom from traditional social expectations. Through this symbolism, Adrienne Rich presents a powerful message about the importance of freedom and self-expression.

5. Discuss the role of nature in the poem.
Ans: Nature plays a central role in the poem. The forest, trees, moon, wind, leaves, and lichen all contribute to creating a vivid natural setting. The poet suggests that trees belong in the forest rather than inside a house. Nature is shown as a living force that welcomes the trees back into their rightful place. The smell of leaves and lichen entering the rooms creates a sense of connection between humans and nature. Through these images, the poet emphasizes the importance of respecting nature and allowing it to flourish freely. The poem reminds readers that nature cannot be permanently controlled or confined.

6. Compare the condition of the trees at the beginning and at the end of the poem.
Ans: At the beginning of the poem, the trees are confined inside a house. Their roots are trapped in the veranda floor, and their leaves and branches struggle to move. They are separated from the forest where they naturally belong. The atmosphere suggests restriction and discomfort. At the end of the poem, the trees have successfully escaped. They move into the forest, where the wind welcomes them and the moon shines among their branches. The atmosphere becomes one of freedom, renewal, and hope. This contrast highlights the poem’s central message that every living being deserves the opportunity to live freely and grow in its natural environment.