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  1. In the phrase "and out of its leprous hide", metaphor is used as the bark of tree is called leprous hide. Read Summary of On Killing A Tree Play Quiz on On Killing A Tree

    In the phrase “and out of its leprous hide”, metaphor is used as the bark of tree is called leprous hide.

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  1. There are mainly two themes in the poem On Killing a Tree: Deforestation Usually, we read about cutting of trees and its impact on environment. However it does not invoke any sympathy or pity in our hearts. But, in this poem, the poet takes a different approach to explain the cutting of trees. He deRead more

    There are mainly two themes in the poem On Killing a Tree:

    Deforestation

    Usually, we read about cutting of trees and its impact on environment. However it does not invoke any sympathy or pity in our hearts. But, in this poem, the poet takes a different approach to explain the cutting of trees. He describes how tree is killed. It involves hitting it with knives and axes.

    However it does not fully cut the trees because the roots are deep inside the earth. So, humans go to another level for cutting the trees. We pull out the roots which are most sensitive part of trees. We expose them to sun where they become dead and finally the tree is dead. All these steps involved are cruel and invoke the feeling of sympathy among the readers. This way, the poet hopes that we won’t cut trees and respect them.

    We are connected with earth

    A deeper theme which we find in the poem is our inseparable connection with earth. We live on earth, get everything from it. If we are separated from it, we won’t be able to live. So, instead of destroying our environment, we should take measures to protect it.

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  1. Following literary devices/figures of speech have been used in the poem On Killing A Tree: Metaphor: It is a literary device which is used to make a comparison between two things that aren't alike but do have something in common. e.g. "Leprous hide" used to describe the bark of tree, "Bleeding bark"Read more

    Following literary devices/figures of speech have been used in the poem On Killing A Tree:

    1. Metaphor: It is a literary device which is used to make a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but do have something in common. e.g. “Leprous hide” used to describe the bark of tree, “Bleeding bark” used to describe the cut stem of the plant.
    2. Alliteration: It is the use of the same sound at the beginning of words that are close together. e.g. “takes much time to kill a tree”, “bleeding bark”, “white and wet”.
    3. Personification: It is the attribution of human characteristics to animals, plants and other non-human things. e.g. the tree has been personified here because we do not use the word “kill” for cutting a tree, “bleeding bark” – the word bleeding is used for humans.
    4. Repetition: It involves the repetition of a word or phrase(s) for poetic effect. e.g. “pulled out”.
    5. Enjambment: It is the continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break. e.g. “It takes much time to kill a tree, Not a simple jab of the knife Will do it”.

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  1. The poem On Killing a Tree is a protest poem written in free verse (without any rhyme scheme in which the poet describes the cruel process of killing a tree. Though the poem tells how to properly kill a tree, he indirectly reveals humans' behaviour towards nature. Read Summary of On Killing A Tree PRead more

    The poem On Killing a Tree is a protest poem written in free verse (without any rhyme scheme in which the poet describes the cruel process of killing a tree. Though the poem tells how to properly kill a tree, he indirectly reveals humans’ behaviour towards nature.

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