Here, you can find questions and answers for the poem “Our Casuarina Tree” as included in the Class 7 Lavender English textbook, authored by Toru Dutt.
Textbook Chapter Exercises Q&A
Time to answer
A. Colour the correct box.
- What is being compared to a python?
- The creeper around the tree ✅
- Why is the casuarina tree being called a giant?
- Because it is very tall, its top appearing to be close to the stars ✅
- What does the colour grey of the baboon signify?
- Its age ✅
- On what does the tree cast its shadow?
- On the water lilies ✅
B. Answer these questions.
1. Describe the casuarina tree.
Ans: The Casuarina tree is very tall, with its top appearing close to the stars. It has a rough trunk with deep scars and a large creeper wrapped around it like a python. The tree’s branches are full of crimson flowers, and birds and bees visit it often.
2. Where do the cows go?
Ans: The cows go to their pastures in the morning, moving slowly and peacefully after waking up.
3. Why does the poet use the word ‘gallantly’ for the tree?
Ans: The poet uses the word “gallantly” because, despite the heavy creeper wrapped around it, the tree stands tall and proud, showing strength and beauty.
4. Why does the poet mention the tree’s magnificence?
Ans: The poet mentions the tree’s magnificence to show how grand and beautiful the tree is, both in its appearance and in the memories it holds for the poet.
5. Why is the tree so precious to the poet?
Ans: The tree is precious to the poet because it is connected to her childhood and memories of playing with her dear friends under it. The tree reminds her of those happy times and the loved ones she has lost.
6. If you had the opportunity of choosing a tree to plant in your garden, which tree would be your choice? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: I would choose to plant a mango tree because it provides shade, beautiful green leaves, and delicious fruits. It would also attract birds and create a lovely, peaceful environment in the garden.
Short Answers:
- The Casuarina tree is tall, with a rough trunk and a creeper wrapped around it. Its branches hold crimson flowers, attracting birds and bees.
- The cows slowly go to their pastures in the morning after waking up, adding to the peaceful atmosphere around the Casuarina tree.
- The tree stands tall and proud, despite the heavy creeper wrapped around it, showing grace and strength, which is why the poet calls it gallant.
- The poet mentions the tree’s magnificence to highlight its grand appearance and deep emotional importance tied to her memories.
- The tree holds precious memories of the poet’s childhood and loved ones, making it a symbol of her past and the love she shared.
- I would plant a mango tree because it provides shade, delicious fruits, and attracts birds, creating a refreshing and lively atmosphere.
Reference to the context
Read the lines from the poem and answer the questions that follow.
1. When first my casement is wide open thrown…
a. What is the first thing that the poet sees when she opens her window at dawn? How does she feel?
Ans: ii. She sees a casuarina tree and feels happy and delighted.
b. Who sits on the crest of the tree? How does he sit?
Ans: A grey baboon sits on the crest of the tree, sitting alone, statue-like, watching the sunrise.
c. Why does the puny offspring of the baboon not go up to the crest?
Ans: i. Because it is too small to climb up to such heights.
d. Complete the analogy with the suitable word from the given context.
Ans: Frail: puny :: brawny: hefty.
2. Unknown, yet well-known to the eye of faith!…..
a. To whom is the land ‘unknown’ and to whom is the land ‘well-known’?
Ans: The land is ‘unknown’ to the ordinary eye but ‘well-known’ to those who see through faith, like the poet who sees the tree through her memories.
b. What is the ‘wail’? Where is it coming from?
Ans: The ‘wail’ refers to the tree’s lament or sound, which the poet imagines she can hear even in distant lands, reminding her of the tree from afar.
c. Describe the earth at night.
Ans: At night, the earth is calm and still, like it is in a deep, dreamless sleep, with the waves gently touching the shores of France or Italy under the moonlight.
3. Therefore I fain would consecrate a lay……
a. How does the poet wish to honour the tree?
Ans: The poet wishes to honour the tree by dedicating a poem to it, so it will be remembered and cherished forever, like the “deathless trees” in Borrowdale.
b. Apart from the poet, who else loved the tree?
Ans: The poet’s companions, who are no longer alive, also loved the tree. They were dearer to her than life itself.
c. How have Fear, Hope, Death, and Time lingered under the tree?
Ans: Fear, Hope, Death, and Time are described as lingering under the tree’s branches like pale figures. These abstract concepts represent the struggles and challenges of life, as well as the inevitability of death and the passage of time, all of which exist in the shadow of the tree’s enduring presence.
d. What does she wish in the last stanza?
Ans: In the last stanza, the poet wishes that the Casuarina tree be remembered forever, like the “deathless trees” in literature and nature. She hopes that the love and memories associated with the tree will protect it from being forgotten, even if her poem is weak.
Time to think and answer
1. Why are trees ‘deathless’?
Answer: Trees are considered ‘deathless’ because they live for many years, often outliving humans, and continue to grow and thrive. They symbolize eternity and the lasting memories and emotions they evoke, even after people who cherished them are gone.
2. What does the poet mean by ‘unknown land’? What does the poet hope might reach that land?
Answer: The ‘unknown land’ refers to the afterlife or a spiritual realm where the poet’s departed loved ones now exist. The poet hopes that the tree’s lament or message, carried through her memories, might reach that distant land and be a connection between the two worlds.
3. State two aspects of the poem that have appealed to you.
Answer: a) The deep emotional connection the poet has with the Casuarina tree, as it represents her cherished childhood memories and lost loved ones.
b) The beautiful imagery of nature, such as the tree, the birds, the flowers, and the peaceful scenes described around it.
4. What wish does the poet have for the tree?
Answer: The poet wishes that the Casuarina tree will be remembered and honoured forever, like the ‘deathless trees’ in history, and that the love associated with it will protect it from being forgotten.
Time to enjoy
Sometimes, poets use symbols to signify ideas or to represent something else. Symbols help to associate and connect things with ideas or concepts. For example, a chain can represent ‘a bond’ or ‘imprisonment. The use of a physical object to represent an idea is called symbolism.
1. Discuss the symbolism used by Toru Dutt in the poem.
Answer: In the poem, the Casuarina tree symbolizes strength, endurance, and memories. It represents the poet’s connection to her childhood, loved ones, and the passage of time. The tree stands as a symbol of timelessness, linking the past and present, and acts as a reminder of those who have passed away but remain in the poet’s heart.
2. Name the things that have been personified in the poem.
Answer: In the poem, the tree is personified as lamenting and singing. Other personified elements include Fear, Hope, Death, and Time, which are described as lingering under the tree’s branches like living beings.
Fun time
Do you know about the Chipko Movement? It was a nonviolent social and ecological movement by rural villagers, particularly women, in India in the 1970s, for the protection and conservation of trees and forests.
Use the Internet (under adult supervision) to find information about the movement, such as:(See the book orful question).
The image you uploaded introduces the Chipko Movement, which was a nonviolent social and ecological movement in India during the 1970s. It primarily involved rural villagers, especially women, who aimed to protect and conserve trees and forests.
Answer: Attempt yourself. A sample answer is given below.
- Founder and History of the Chipko Movement:
The movement was started in the 1970s, with notable contributions from Sunderlal Bahuguna, a prominent environmentalist. The word “Chipko” means “to embrace,” as villagers would hug trees to prevent them from being cut down. - Causes of the Chipko Movement:
The primary cause was the rapid deforestation in the Himalayan region, which threatened the livelihoods of local villagers who relied on the forests for their daily needs, including fuel, fodder, and shelter. - Purpose behind the Chipko Movement:
The goal was to protect trees from being felled by contractors. It aimed at conserving forests and raising awareness about environmental sustainability and the importance of forests for ecological balance. - Women’s Role in this Movement:
Women played a crucial role in the Chipko Movement. They were directly dependent on the forests for fuel, food, and fodder, and they took an active role in protecting the trees. Gaura Devi is one of the most recognized leaders who led the movement. - Rise and Success of the Chipko Movement:
The movement gained international recognition and success. It not only helped in stopping deforestation but also influenced India’s environmental policy, leading to more protective measures for forests.
You could use this information to create a slideshow for your class!
