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Syllabus

When Great Trees Fall — Syllabus

ICSE · Class 10 · English Literature-Treasure Chest ( Poems and Short Stories)

When Great Trees Fall topics: Poet and Poem Overview, Central Idea and Theme, Stanza-wise Key Points, plus 1 more.

50 questions30 flashcards5 concepts

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An infographic explaining anaphora with examples from the poem 'My Mind to Me a Kingdom Is', highlighting the repeated phrases and their effect.
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4 Topics · ICSE Class 10 English Literature-Treasure Chest ( Poems and Short Stories) · 2026-27

Topics in When Great Trees Fall

1

Poet and Poem Overview

  • Maya Angelou lived from 1928 to 2014.
  • She was known for her unique and pioneering autobiographical writing style.
  • The poem is written in free verse, so there is no regular rhyme scheme or metre.
2

Central Idea and Theme

  • The poem describes loss as traumatic yet inevitable.
  • Great souls are people whose lives nurture, guide, and shape others.
  • Their death creates a deep emotional and spiritual emptiness.
3

Stanza-wise Key Points

  • The opening stanza shows the effect of a great tree falling on nature: rocks shudder, lions hunker down, and elephants move to safety.
  • The second stanza shows that even small creatures are affected and recoil into silence.
  • The third stanza shifts from the tree image to the human level: when great souls die, the air becomes light, rare, and sterile.
4

Literary Devices

  • Extended metaphor: the falling tree represents the death of a great soul.
  • Anaphora: the repeated phrase When great trees fall creates emphasis and emotional power.
  • Imagery: dark cold caves and soothing electric vibration create opposite feelings of despair and healing.

Key Concepts

Central concept: The poem presents loss as a traumatic yet inevitable part of human life and turns grief into hope through the legacy of great souls.

Maya AngelouGreat treesGreat soulsGrief and lossMemory and regretHealing and hopeLiterary devicesTheme of legacy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in When Great Trees Fall for ICSE Class 10 English Literature-Treasure Chest ( Poems and Short Stories)?
Key topics in When Great Trees Fall include Poet and Poem Overview, Central Idea and Theme, Stanza-wise Key Points, Literary Devices. Study these first, then practise questions on each for the ICSE Class 10 board exam.
How should I revise When Great Trees Fall for the ICSE Class 10 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 50 practice questions on When Great Trees Fall. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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