Why does the poet use the metaphor of newly discharged patients in the poem the trees
Answers
The poem in question is Adrienne Rich’s ‘The Trees”.
The poet aptly compares the branches of the trees to ‘newly discharged patients’. This metaphor helps the poet compare two seemingly different entities. As simple as the metaphor may seem, it helps her convey a lot of information in a very brief manner.
1. Physical aspect- Just like the branches have suffered for long and have been feeling restricted, women too have endured a lot for ages. Therefore the trees, hence women feel like patients who are on the way to recovery, whose movements are restricted. The trees, women and patients are all desperate to get out of the hospital and be free.
2. Emotional aspect- The metaphor touches upon many emotions- the optimism of full recovery, the desperation/excitement of leaving the confines/the hospital and the unclear thought processes (‘half-dazed’) of the trees,women and patients.
Also, women and trees are both symbols of life. So the metaphor is a suitable one for a number of reasons.
A patient feels depressed in a hospital as soon as he recovers . He is eager to leave the hospital. He rushes towards the clinic doors . In the same way , the plants in pots feel suffocated . They are deprived of adequate light. So they stretch themselves towards the glass door in the hope of finding the light