Trees – Adrienne Rich
About the Poet
Adrienne Cecile Rich (16 May 1929- 27 March 2012) was an American poet, essayist and feminist. She was
called "one of the most widely read and influential poets of the second half of the 20th century", and was
credited with bringing "the oppression of women and lesbians to the forefront of poetic discourse".
Introduction:
The poem has a symbolic meaning, the trees are an extended metaphor for women. The poet says that the
women have rested, healed and recovered and are ready for their primary purpose – to renew the empty
forest of mankind.
Theme 1:
The poem “The Trees” by Adrienne Rich is a metaphor which compares the trees to women. The poet is a
feminist and highlights the desire of women to be free and go out in the open. The trees want to free
themselves from the floor of the house and go in the open forest. They are cramped in the houses and their
feelings can be felt and heard by the poet.
Theme 2:
The poem suggests that the trees are not only a symbol of nature, but also a metaphor for the oppressed and
marginalized sections of society, who struggle to break free from the constraints and injustices imposed by
the dominant groups. The poem thus appeals to the reader to respect and protect the rights and dignity of all
living beings, and to live in harmony with nature.
Justification of the Title:
The title of the poem ‘The Trees’ by Adrienne Rich is justified because it reflects the main theme of the
poem, which is the struggle of the trees or women to escape from the confinement of human houses and
return to their deserving place. The poetess uses the trees as a metaphor for human beings who also yearn for
freedom and independence from oppression and exploitation. The title also suggests the poetess’s concern
for the environment and the need to respect the laws of nature.
Summary in points:
The poet uses trees as a symbol for women who have been oppressed and confined by society, and
who seek freedom and fulfilment in nature.
The poet describes how the trees struggle to escape from the human houses, where they have been
planted and restricted, and how they long to return to the forest, their natural home.
The poet contrasts the artificial and empty nature of human civilization with the fresh and vibrant
nature of the forest, where the trees can grow and flourish.
The poet also expresses her own indifference and guilt towards the plight of the trees, as she ignores
their movement and does not mention them in her letters.
The poet depicts the dramatic scene of the trees breaking the glass windows and leaving the house in
the night, and how the wind welcomes them and the moon is eclipsed by an oak tree.
Practice Questions:
1. Extract based questions:
"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."
Question 1: Why is the forest empty?
Question 2: `No sun bury its feet in the shadow', explain this line.
Question 3: What cannot happen in a treeless forest?
Question 4: How will the empty forest be full of trees by morning?
2. Short Answer Type Questions
Where are the trees in the poem ? What do their roots, their leaves and twigs do ?
What does the poet compare the branches of the trees to ?
How does the poet describe the moon: (a) at the beginning of the third stanza, and (b) at its end ? What
causes this change ?
3. Long Answer Type Question
What is the central idea of the poem ‘The Trees’.
