Question

Why does the huge black shadow of the tree wriggle when the women come to the pond?
This is from the poem "The Banyan Tree" by Rabindranath Tagore. Could anyone please help me is answering this?

Answer 1

The huge black shadow of the banyan tree wriggles when the women come to the pond because they bring with them jars to fill in the pond. When they fill their jars, the movement and ripples made in water give the impression of the wriggling shadow.

Answer 2

There are two possible reasons why the shadow of the banyan tree wriggles when women come to fetch water:

1.       As they fill their pitchers, the stillness of the water is disturbed and ripples are formed. These ripples in turn make the shadow move and look wriggly.

2.       The poet is trying to give the impression of the tree as being more than just a banyan tree. The intention is to indirectly suggest that the tree has thoughts too, and is trying to be mischievous with the women.

Note:Do NOT write the answer in points. Write it in paragraph form.