Chapter 8 – The Trees by Adrienne Rich 10

Chapter 8 – The Trees  by Adrienne Rich 

The Trees – Adrienne Rich

 Word Meanings 

• Whisper – speak softly

• Shuffling – slow, dragging movement

• Stumble – trip or almost fall

• Lame – weak, unable to move properly

• Creaking – harsh, squeaky sound

• Patio – an outdoor area beside a house

• Strain – force to make effort

• Twigs – small thin branches

• Moss – small green plants growing in damp places

Central Idea 

The poem The Trees shows the struggle of nature against human domination. The poet describes how trees, once removed from forests and planted inside houses, try to break free from the walls and return to their natural habitat. Their movement reflects the desire of nature to be free and grow in the wild. The poet highlights that human interference disturbs the balance of nature. Ultimately, the poem conveys that real beauty of trees lies in forests, not in confined spaces, and emphasizes the need to live in harmony with nature instead of controlling it.

Figures of Speech

1. Personification – Trees are given human qualities (“The trees inside are moving out…”).

2. Imagery – Creates a picture of trees struggling to go out (“long-cramped boughs shuffling…”).

3. Alliteration – “leaves and lichen,” “sun shall shine.”

4. Metaphor – Trees represent nature and women’s suppressed freedom.

5. Symbolism – Trees symbolize freedom, nature, and women’s desire for independence.

 Textbook Questions and Answers 

Q1. (Thinking about the Poem – 

Q1)

1. The trees are moving out of the poet’s house into the forest.

2. The forest that was empty all these nights will be full of trees by morning.

Q2. What do the roots, leaves, and twigs do in the poem?

The roots work hard to break the walls, the leaves try to move toward the sunlight, and the twigs strain themselves to break free. All parts of the trees show their struggle to escape confinement and return to nature.

Q3. What does the poet compare their branches to?

The poet compares their long-cramped branches to newly discharged patients leaving a clinic, who move slowly and stiffly. This shows the pain and difficulty faced by trees when they try to free themselves from the confined house.

Q4. What happens to the house when the trees move out?

When the trees move out, the house becomes empty and silent. The poet feels lonely, though the walls and glasses remain untouched. The emptiness shows that nature does not belong in artificial human spaces.

Q5. What does the poet hear at night?

The poet hears the trees moving slowly to escape into the forest. She listens to their whispering and the sound of their struggle. The silent night is filled with the voices of nature reclaiming its freedom.

1. Word Meanings (Simple)

• Forest – a large area with many trees.

• Empty forest – forest without trees.

• Depart – to go away.

• Struggle – to fight hard.

• Stumble – to trip or lose balance.

• Twig – a small branch of a tree.

• Glass – window glass (pane).

• Whisper – speak softly.

• Lichen – green moss-like plant growing on rocks.

• Moonlit – lighted by the moon.

• Branches – big arms of a tree.

2. Figures of Speech

1. Personification – Trees are given human qualities.

   • “The trees are moving out into the forest.”

2. Metaphor – Comparison without using like/as.

   • “The night is fresh.”

3. Imagery – Words create pictures.

   • “The tall trees work in the wind.”

4. Symbolism – Trees = Nature, Women, Freedom.

5. Enjambment – A sentence continues to next line.

3. Question Answers (Simple, 40–50 words)

Q1. Where are the trees in the poem going?
 The trees are leaving houses and going into the forest. They are struggling to move outside to get freedom and grow naturally in their own space.

Q2. Why are the forests described as empty?
 The forests are empty because humans have cut trees for their own needs. Now the poet imagines that trees are returning to fill up those forests again.

Q3. What struggle do the trees face while moving out?
 The roots break the floor, shoots break glass, and branches struggle through the window. This shows their painful but strong fight to escape from human boundaries.

Q4. Why does the poet describe the night as fresh?
 The poet calls the night “fresh” because it is full of energy and movement. Trees are struggling to move out, and the moonlight makes everything look new.

Q5. What message does the poem convey?
 The poem tells us that nature should not be restricted by humans. Trees and women both need freedom and space. Real growth and beauty come from independence.

4. Reference to Context (RTC)

Extract 1:

“The trees inside are moving out into the forest,
which is empty all these days
where no bird could sit
no insect hide
and no sun bury its feet in shadow”

Q1. Where are the trees kept?
 The trees are kept inside houses.

Q2. Why is the forest empty?
 Because trees were cut down by humans.

Q3. What is the poet’s intention here?
 To show that nature is returning to its rightful place.

Extract 2:

“The roots work to disengage themselves from the cracks in the veranda floor.
The leaves strain toward the glass, small twigs stiff with exertion,
long-cramped boughs shuffling under the roof.”

Q1. What do the roots do here?
 Roots try to break free from the veranda floor.

Q2. What does this show about the trees?
It shows their strong struggle for freedom.

Q3. What poetic device is used?
 Personification (trees behave like humans).

Extract 3:

“The night is fresh, the whole moon shines in a sky still open
the smell of leaves and lichen
still reaches like a voice into the rooms.”

Q1. What is special about the night?
 It is fresh and full of freedom.

Q2. What shines in the sky?
 The full moon shines brightly.

Q3. What enters the room?
 The smell of leaves and lichen enters like a voice.

Q1. Where are the trees at present? What do their roots, and leaves do?
 The trees are at present inside houses, not in the forest. Their roots try to break free from the veranda floor, and their leaves push hard against the glass windows to move out into open space.

Q2. What happens to the roots and leaves of these trees at night?
 At night, the roots struggle to break away from the cracks of the floor. The leaves and small branches press against the glass panes. They try to escape from the closed house and reach the open air.

Q3. How does the poet describe the growth of the trees inside the house?
 The poet says trees grow unnaturally inside the house. Their branches become cramped under the roof, roots remain stuck in the floor, and leaves keep pressing against glass windows. This shows their growth is restricted and painful.

Q4. Why does the poet use the metaphor of newly discharged patients?
 The poet compares trees leaving houses to patients leaving hospitals. Just like patients regain health after suffering, trees also move out with difficulty but happily. This metaphor shows their struggle, recovery, and joy of freedom.