Does the poem present a conflict between man and nature? Compare it with A Tiger in the Zoo. Is the poet suggesting that plants and trees, used for ‘interior decoration’ in cities while forests are cut down, are ‘imprisoned’, and need to ‘break out’?
Model Answer & Options
Source: TextbookYes, the poem "The Trees" presents a conflict between man and nature. It highlights how trees, meant to be free in forests, are confined indoors for decoration, symbolizing nature’s suppression by humans. The poet suggests that trees must "break out" to reclaim their natural space.
In "A Tiger in the Zoo," a similar theme is explored, where the tiger is imprisoned in a cage, deprived of its freedom. Like the trees, the tiger also longs for its natural habitat.
Both poems emphasize that nature—whether in the form of trees or animals—does not belong in human-controlled spaces and should be allowed to exist freely.
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