Poem “The Trees” by Adrienne Rich is about trees and their emancipation but metaphorically it also means emancipation from unnatural enslavement, restraint or any detention to get free and be at their best possible places in the world. Here you would get a comprehensive explanation of the poem “The Trees” both line by line and stanza wise along with well explained word notes. You can also see its Question and Answers as given in the NCERT class 10 English book ‘Flamingo’. See The Trees poem Notes also
The Trees Poem Explanation & Analysis
Let’s go through each stanza and explore its different meanings and interpretations.
Stanza 1 Explanation:
“The trees inside are moving out into the forest,
the forest that was empty all these days
where no bird could sit
no insect hide
no sun bury its feet in shadow
the forest that was empty all these nights
will be full of trees by morning.”
Word Meaning Notes:
- Bury: In the poem, “bury” refers to the way the sun hides or sinks its light into the shadows. It suggests how the sunlight is absorbed or disappears in the shade created by the trees.
- Feet: Here, “feet” symbolizes the base or the lowest part of the sun’s rays, as if the sun has feet that touch and interact with the earth, sinking into the shadows created by the trees.
- Work: “Work” refers to the effort the roots are making to free themselves. It indicates active, continuous labour as the trees try to escape their confined space.
Line by Line Meaning:
- “moving out into the forest”: The trees are leaving the indoor space to go back to the forest.
- “forest that was empty”: The forest had no life, with no trees, birds, insects, or shadows.
- “no bird could sit / no insect hide”: Without trees, birds had no branches to rest on, and insects had no leaves to hide under.
- “no sun bury its feet in shadow”: There were no trees to cast shadows on the ground. Due to the absence of forest, the sun has no shadow to cool its feet.
- “will be full of trees by morning”: By the next day, the forest will have many trees, making it full of life again.
Explanation:
In this stanza, the poet describes trees that are moving out of an indoor space into the forest. The forest, which has been empty for a long time without birds, insects, or shadows from the sun, will soon be filled with these trees by morning.
Analysis:
The poem speaks about freedom and liberation. The trees moving from inside to the outside represent the desire to break free from confinement. The forest symbolizes the natural, free environment where the trees belong. It could also symbolize human beings longing to be free from restrictions or oppression, to return to their natural state or true self.
Key Points of Explanation:
- “Moving out into the forest”: Suggests the act of breaking free from confinement or an unnatural environment and returning to a natural state or place of belonging.
- “Empty”: Emphasizes the lack of life or activity in the forest before the trees return, highlighting the unnatural barrenness and lifelessness of the forest before the trees arrive.
- “No bird could sit / no insect hide”: Illustrates the lifelessness of the forest, emphasizing the unnatural emptiness without the trees.
- “Bury its feet in shadow”: A metaphor for the sun not being able to cast shadows in the forest due to the absence of trees.
Stanza 2 Explanation:
“All night the roots work
to disengage themselves from the cracks
in the veranda floor.
The leaves strain toward the glass
small twigs stiff with exertion
long-cramped boughs shuffling under the roof
like newly discharged patients
half-dazed, moving
to the clinic doors.”
Word Meaning Notes:
- Disengage: In the poem, “disengage” means to free or release. The roots are trying to pull themselves out of the cracks in the veranda floor, attempting to separate from the confinement.
- Strain: “Strain” suggests that the leaves are stretching and pushing themselves towards the glass with great effort, trying to reach beyond the barriers that confine them.
- Stiff: In the poem, “stiff” describes how the small twigs have become rigid due to the effort they are making. It indicates tension and the physical struggle of the branches.
- Exertion: “Exertion” refers to the physical effort and struggle the twigs and branches are undergoing. It emphasizes the strenuous and challenging nature of their attempt to move.
- Long-cramped: This phrase describes the branches that have been confined and restricted for a long time. It suggests they have been in an uncomfortable position, unable to move freely.
- Bough: “Bough” refers to the main branches of the trees. In the poem, these are the parts of the trees that are cramped and struggling to move under the roof.
- Shuffling: “Shuffling” suggests a slow, awkward, or hesitant movement. The long-cramped boughs are moving in a shuffling manner, indicating their constrained and uncertain motion.
- Half-dazed: This term describes a state of partial confusion or disorientation. It implies that the trees, like newly discharged patients, are not fully aware or steady, feeling confused as they move toward freedom.
Line by Line Meaning:
- “roots work to disengage themselves”: The roots of the trees are trying hard to free themselves.
- “cracks in the veranda floor”: The roots are growing through and breaking the small openings in the porch or veranda floor.
- “leaves strain toward the glass”: The leaves are pushing or reaching towards the glass, trying to move outside.
- “small twigs stiff with exertion”: The smaller branches are rigid and tense because of the effort they are making to move.
- “long-cramped boughs shuffling under the roof”: The larger branches, which have been cramped for a long time, are moving or rustling under the roof.
- “like newly discharged patients”: The branches are compared to patients who have just been released from a hospital, suggesting they are weak or disoriented.
- “half-dazed, moving / to the clinic doors”: The branches are moving slowly and uncertainly, as if they are still not fully aware or adjusted, much like patients finding their way after being released.
Explanation:
Here, the roots of the trees are actively working to break free from the floor of the veranda. The leaves and twigs are pushing against the glass, and the branches are moving under the roof. This movement is compared to patients leaving a hospital, feeling weak and confused as they find their way out.
Analysis:
This stanza highlights the struggle for freedom. The trees’ roots and branches trying to escape from the veranda symbolize the efforts to break free from confinement. The comparison to patients suggests a sense of healing or recovery, implying that breaking free is a form of healing. It could also reflect the idea that confinement and limitation cause discomfort and that freedom is necessary for growth and well-being.
Key Points of Explanation:
- “Disengage themselves”: Refers to the roots of the trees freeing themselves from the cracks in the veranda, symbolizing the struggle to escape confinement.
- “Strain toward the glass”: Describes the leaves pushing against the glass, representing the effort to break free and reach the outside world.
- “Stiff with exertion”: This emphasizes the physical effort and strain the trees are undergoing.
- “Long-cramped boughs shuffling under the roof”: This phrase creates a vivid picture of the trees’ discomfort and their struggle to escape.
- “Newly discharged patients”: A simile comparing the trees’ movement to that of patients leaving a clinic, suggesting vulnerability and the process of healing or recovery.
Stanza 3 Explanation:
“I sit inside, doors open to the veranda
writing long letters
in which I scarcely mention the departure
of the forest from the house.
The night is fresh, the whole moon shines
in a sky still open
the smell of leaves and lichen
still reaches like a voice into the rooms.”
Word Meaning Notes:
- Scarcely: “Scarcely” means barely or hardly. In the poem, the speaker mentions that they hardly talk about the trees leaving the house, indicating it is not the main focus of their conversation.
- Departure: “Departure” refers to the act of leaving. It describes the trees moving out of the house and returning to the forest, highlighting their escape from confinement.
Line by Line Meaning:
- “doors open to the veranda”: The doors are open, leading to the porch area.
- “writing long letters”: The speaker is engaged in writing lengthy letters.
- “scarcely mention the departure / of the forest from the house”: The speaker barely talks about or notices the trees leaving the house.
- “night is fresh”: The night feels cool, new, and refreshing.
- “whole moon shines / in a sky still open”: The full moon is shining in a clear, unobstructed sky.
- “smell of leaves and lichen”: There is a scent in the air of leaves and lichen (a type of plant that grows on trees and rocks).
- “still reaches like a voice into the rooms”: The smell is so strong it feels like it’s calling or speaking, spreading into the rooms of the house.
Explanation:
The speaker is inside the house with the doors open, writing letters. The departure of the trees is barely mentioned in these letters. The night feels fresh, the moon is shining brightly, and the smell of leaves and lichen can still be felt in the room, almost like a voice speaking.
Analysis:
This stanza suggests a sense of detachment or acceptance. The speaker is observing the transformation but not actively involved in it, focusing instead on writing letters. The reference to the smell reaching into the rooms could imply that even as the trees leave, their presence and influence remain. It could also indicate that the speaker is aware of the change happening around them but is choosing not to focus on it too much, perhaps hinting at a sense of inevitability or acceptance of change.
Key Points of Explanation:
- “Scarcely mention the departure”: Indicates the speaker’s detachment or reluctance to fully acknowledge the significance of the trees leaving the house.
- “Fresh, the whole moon shines”: Conveys the clarity and openness of the night, symbolizing the new beginning or freedom that the trees are moving towards.
- “Smell of leaves and lichen”: Represents the lingering presence of the trees even as they leave, symbolizing the lasting impact of change.
Stanza 4 Explanation:
“My head is full of whispers
which tomorrow will be silent.
Listen. The glass is breaking.
The trees are stumbling forward
into the night. Winds rush to meet them.
The moon is broken like a mirror,
its pieces flash now in the crown
of the tallest oak.”
In these lines, the poet says that there are many thoughts going on in the poet’s mind which will be silenced by tomorrow. The poet could hear the sound of glass breaking and the trees moving out of the house at night, and the wind seems to welcome them. The poet says that the moon is broken like a mirror and its pieces are crowning the oldest oak tree.
Word Notes:
- Stumbling: “Stumbling” indicates an unsteady, awkward movement. It describes how the trees are moving forward clumsily, as if unsure of their steps, into the night.
Line by Line Meaning:
- “head is full of whispers”: The speaker hears soft, quiet sounds or thoughts, as if whispering.
- “which tomorrow will be silent”: These quiet sounds or thoughts will not be heard the next day.
- “Listen. The glass is breaking.”: The speaker alerts us to the sound of glass shattering, possibly due to the trees pushing against it.
- “trees are stumbling forward”: The trees are moving awkwardly and unsteadily as they push their way outside.
- “into the night”: The trees are moving out into the darkness of the night.
- “Winds rush to meet them”: The wind is blowing strongly as if greeting or embracing the trees as they move.
- “moon is broken like a mirror”: The moon appears shattered or fragmented, like pieces of a broken mirror.
- “pieces flash now in the crown / of the tallest oak: The broken pieces of the moon’s reflection are shining in the top branches (the crown) of the tallest oak tree.
Explanation:
The speaker’s mind is filled with whispers that will fade by tomorrow. The sound of breaking glass is heard, indicating that the trees are breaking free and moving out into the night. The wind welcomes them, and the moon appears shattered, with its pieces reflecting in the tallest oak’s branches.
Analysis:
The whispers represent thoughts or voices of change, which will soon be silent, indicating the completion of the transformation. The breaking glass symbolizes breaking free from barriers or restrictions. The trees moving into the night, meeting the wind, suggests a reunion with freedom. The moon breaking like a mirror could symbolize the disruption of the old order, with the pieces reflecting in the oak symbolizing a new perspective or reality. It reflects the breaking away from the past and embracing a new identity or state of being.
Key Points of Explanation:
- “Whispers”: These may represent the speaker’s internal thoughts or the sounds of the trees as they move. It could symbolize thoughts or inner voices reflecting the inevitability of change or the passage of time.
- “The glass is breaking”: This symbolizes the destruction of the barrier between the house and the natural world. A critical moment or the final act of liberation as the trees break free.
- “Stumbling forward”: Suggests an uncertain but determined movement towards freedom or a new life.
- “Winds rush to meet them”: Personifies the wind as welcoming the trees, symbolizing nature’s acceptance of the trees’ return to their rightful place.
- “Moon is broken like a mirror”: A powerful image suggesting the shattering of the old order or perspective, with the pieces representing new reflections or realities.
Sum up of the Poem ‘The Trees’
Overall, Adrienne Rich’s poem “The Trees” can be seen as a metaphor for liberation, the struggle for freedom, and the natural urge to return to one’s true self or environment. It uses the imagery of nature to convey deeper themes about human desires, struggles, and the inevitability of change.
