Question

Where does the irony line in the poem on killing a tree?

Answer 1

Explanation:

In the poem 'On Killing A Tree,' the poet Gieve Patel describes the cruelty of man in killing the tree with irony and a sense of detachment. However, his own sympathy lies with the tree and nature.

Answer 2

Answer:

The expression, ‘leprous hide’, refers to the bark of the tree which looks like the skin of a leprosy patient. It is brown, dry and rough.Leaves grow from its ‘leprous hide’.

The poet here personifies the tree by describing its bark as ‘leprous’. He uses a medical term to personify the tree.

The expression is ironical. Leprosy usually eats away the body and hampers normal growth. But here, leprous hide is a source of growth. It bears the leaves that produce food. It is not a symbol (image) of decay , but of growing life. This kind of image certainly makes the poem a modern one.