Simple
Who wrote the poem On Killing a Tree?
Gieve Patel
What does “bleeding bark” symbolize?
The pain and suffering of the tree
How does the poet build tension in the poem?
By describing the slow, painful process of killing the tree
Do you think the poet is angry or sorrowful? Why?
Sorrowful — he mourns the loss of nature
Write a new title for the poem that captures its message.
The Silent Scream of Nature
What is the poem about?
The destruction of a tree
Why does the poet say “Not so much pain will do it”?
Because cutting the tree isn’t enough to kill it
What is ironic about the poem’s title?
Killing a tree sounds easy, but the poem shows it’s difficult and cruel
Is the tree a metaphor for something else? What could it be?
Yes — it could represent nature, life, or resilience
If this poem were a movie, what genre would it be?
Environmental drama or poetic thriller
What must be done to kill a tree completely?
Uproot it from the earth
What poetic device is used in “bleeding bark”?
Personification
Why does the poet describe the tree’s death in stages?
To emphasize its resilience and the violence of destruction
How would you feel if someone cut down a tree in your neighborhood?
Sad or angry — it’s a loss of beauty and life
Imagine the tree survives — what would the sequel poem be called?
The Tree That Refused to Die
What does the tree’s bark look like, according to the poem?
Leprous, rough, and scaly
Why is the tree compared to a living being?
To show its strength and resilience
How does the poem reflect human behavior toward nature?
It shows humans as destructive and insensitive
What message does the poet give about deforestation?
That it’s violent and harmful to the environment
How would this poem change if written from the tree’s point of view?
It would be more emotional and personal
What part of the tree is described as “hidden”?
The root
What does “anchoring earth” suggest about the tree’s roots?
That they are deeply embedded and strong
What is the tone of the poem?
Grim, serious, and reflective
If the tree could speak, what might it say?
“I’ve stood here for years — why must you destroy me?”
Create a slogan inspired by the poem to promote tree conservation.
“Uproot cruelty, not trees!”