On Killing a Tree
ICSE · Class 10 · English Literature-Treasure Chest ( Poems and Short Stories)
Complete topic list for On Killing a Tree in ICSE Class 10 English Literature-Treasure Chest ( Poems and Short Stories). Key concepts, sub-topics, and what to focus on for board exams.
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About the Poet and the Poem
- Gieve Patel was born on 18 August 1940 in Bombay, now Mumbai.
- He was educated at St. Xavier's High School and Grant Medical College, Mumbai.
- He was a poet, playwright, painter, and physician.
How the Tree Grows and Survives
- The poem says it takes much time to kill a tree.
- A simple jab of a knife will not kill it.
- The tree has grown slowly over years by consuming the earth and absorbing sunlight, air, and water.
The True Way of Killing the Tree
- The poem clearly says that the root must be pulled out.
- The root has to be taken out from the anchoring earth.
- It must be roped, tied, and pulled out completely.
Themes and Message
- The poem is a strong protest against human cruelty to nature.
- It shows that destroying a tree is not easy, but it is still a violent and cruel act.
- The tree stands for the strength and endurance of nature.
Key Concepts
Central concept: The poem shows that killing a tree is a slow, cruel process that begins with surface damage and ends only when the roots are uprooted and exposed to sun and air.
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Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.
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