Question

1. Assertion- The tree brings out the contrast between its growth and its death at the hands
of the cutter.
2. Reason- While it takes ages to grow, a tree can be destroyed within seconds with the
modern tools for cutting trees and so it wants to show the cutter the vandalism involved in
cutting.
a) Are the two statements true? Why or why not?
b) Is 2. the correct explanation of 1.? Give reasons.
c) Give your views on the same adding to the reason above.

Answer 1

The following questions based on the poem Heartwood can be answered as follows:

(a) Yes, the given two statements are true. In the poem, the tree speaks about the various types of living creatures he serves as a home to and how it would end within a few minutes if the cutter proceeds to fell the tree.

(b) Statement 2 is the correct explanation of statement 1. The tree speaks about the vast forms of life forms it serves as a home to, comparing itself equivalent to a country for the insect life forms. He wants the cutter to have compassion and sympathy for all the living creatures, whose homes will be destroyed if he cuts the tree.

(c) According to me, the tree is trying to explain to the cutter why he should not cut it while giving him various reasons not to. The tree describes itself as a life-giver, when alive and compares its value as dead timber to be far lesser than alive. He tries to make the cutter sympathize with his situation, by telling about how he will be harming many other creatures and not only the tree if he proceeds to cut it down.