Question

Critical appreciation for the poem the heart of the tree.

Answer 1

'The Heart of the Tree' is a meaningful poem with a message that the one who plants a tree not only contributes to the betterment of nature for all the other creatures but he also helps in nation's growth. The refrain at the beginning of each stanza, i.e.  'What does he plant who plants a tree?' is answered in the light of usefulness of trees, viz-a-viz how they are a friend of sun and sky, a home to birds that sing in harmony with heaven; they give shade, bring rain and the one who plants a tree is a great person who is working for a 'civic good'. The poem has a simple rhythm and the rhyme scheme is ababbccaa. The poet has used alliteration - hushed and happy, heaven's harmony -; personification - a friend of sun and sky -; metaphor - the flag of breezes free, the shaft of beauty towering high.

Answer 2

Answer:

The Title “The Heart of the Tree” is apt and suggestive. It is the tree that remains in focus throughout the poem.  The poet refers to the ‘heart’ of the tree – what kind of heart it possesses. It is kind generous and magnanimous. It does not show any discrimination. It blesses all those who take care of it or even who neglect it. Wherever a tree is planted it turns the place into heaven. That’s why the poet praises the one who plants a tree. 'The Heart of the Tree' is a meaningful poem with a message that the one who plants a tree not only contributes to the betterment of nature for all the other creatures but he also helps in nation's growth. The simple poem tells us about the beautiful connecting man can wave with nature if he plants a tree. The poet asks certain question the beginning of the poem and kind of answering them too in the following lines. Planting a tree is always a great work for the mankind. But, the poet has found out new ways to look at the plants and plantation. In his poem The Heart of the Tree he glorifies the act further, shows how a tree helps life on earth and says that it has a direct connection to a nation’s growth. All the three stanzas of the poem The Heart of the Tree starts with a refrain with the poet asking what the man actually plants who plants a tree. Then he chooses to reply it by himself and shows what a tree means to the humankind and to the nature, thus proving how great that man is. The poet has used alliteration - hushed and happy, heaven's harmony -; personification - a friend of sun and sky -; metaphor - the flag of breezes free, the shaft of beauty towering high. The poem discusses the usefulness of a tree elaborating on how a tree that is planted benefits not only the nature, a nation, but also contributes to the growth of humankind. One who plants a tree aspires for his nation’s growth. Trees stand straight and steady, giving an impression as if they are touching the sun and the sky. They sway with the breeze and beautify the surrounding. They are home to chirruping birds which sing sweetly and display heaven’s harmony on this earth. Furthermore, the person who plants trees also acts as a good citizen of his country because, by planting a tree, he brings joy and blessings to the neighbourhood. As a result of all he does, the land becomes fertile, and thus a boon to the humankind. The one who plants a tree has a noble thought of a common good that would be a boon for man in general and the nation in particular. He has a dream of the growth of all his land when he plants a tree. Indirectly the poet hints us that planting a tree is to humour nature and God above us who has blessed us with plentiful bounties.  

Explanation: