The Trees Class 10 Summary explains the poem The Trees by Adrienne Rich, included in the CBSE Class 10 English First Flight textbook. This poem reflects on the resilience, quiet strength, and perseverance of trees, which grow and thrive despite harsh conditions.
It conveys a powerful message about nature's inherent desire for freedom and autonomy. Understanding The Trees Class 10 Summary helps students grasp essential poetic devices and ecological themes included in the poem.
The Trees Summary Class 10 English
The poem The Trees explores the quiet strength and resilience of trees. Adrienne Rich describes how trees, despite facing wind, storms, and difficult environments, continue to grow, renew themselves, and reach toward the sky.
The poet uses trees as a symbol of endurance, hope, and life. They silently witness the changing seasons and the passage of time, yet remain patient and steadfast. By observing the trees, the poem conveys lessons about perseverance, courage, and inner strength that humans can emulate.
This Summary of The Trees Class 10 is helpful for students to grasp the meaning of the poem in a simple and concise way. This poem is included in the CBSE Class 10 English syllabus 2025-26.
Detailed Stanza-wise Explanation Summary of The Poem The Trees
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.
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.
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.
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.
By ADRIENNE RICH
Adrienne Rich begins by describing how trees grow quietly and persistently, unaffected by external hardships. The poet observes their calm endurance and steady growth despite strong winds or harsh weather. This stanza introduces the central idea of resilience, emphasizing that growth often happens silently, without recognition or praise.
In the second stanza, the poet focuses on the cyclical nature of life. Trees shed their leaves and bloom again with the changing seasons. This represents renewal and hope, reminding us that difficulties are temporary and new beginnings always follow hardship.
The third stanza highlights how trees endure over time, surviving storms, winds, and environmental challenges. They silently maintain their strength and continue to thrive, demonstrating inner strength and perseverance. The poet uses this stanza to encourage humans to be patient, resilient, and steadfast in facing life’s trials.
The final stanza reflects on the symbolic significance of trees. They are not just living beings but metaphors for hope, courage, and life itself. Trees teach humans to remain humble, patient, and resilient, and they remind us that quiet perseverance often leads to lasting growth and success.
Poetic Devices Used in the Poem The Trees
Students should understand the Poetic Devices Used in the Poem The Trees to answer the questions in the board exams:
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Personification: Trees are described as enduring hardships, renewing themselves, and silently teaching humans, giving them human-like qualities.
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Imagery: Vivid descriptions of storms, winds, and seasons create clear mental pictures of trees in action.
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Symbolism: Trees symbolize resilience, hope, patience, and the power to overcome difficulties.
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Metaphor: Trees are used as a metaphor for human strength and endurance in life.
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Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds (e.g., “silent strength”) emphasizes the poem’s rhythm and flow.
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Repetition: Certain words and ideas are repeated to stress the themes of endurance and renewal.
Message of the Poem The Trees
The poem teaches that patience and resilience are key virtues in life. Just like trees quietly endure storms, harsh winds, and difficult conditions, humans too can face challenges without complaining.
By observing the growth and endurance of trees, students can understand that difficulties are a part of life, but consistent effort and silent strength help one overcome them.
Another important message of the poem is renewal and hope. Trees shed their leaves and bloom again every season, showing that setbacks are temporary and new opportunities always come. This teaches students to remain positive and keep striving even when life seems tough, emphasizing that growth and success often happen quietly over time.
| Class 10 English First Flight Poem Summary Chapter-Wise Links |
| Dust of Snow - Robert Frost |
| A Tiger in the Zoo - Leslie Norris |
| How to Tell Wild Animals - Carolyn Wells |
| The Ball Poem - John Berryman |
| Amanda! - Robin Klein |
| The Trees - Adrienne Rich |
| Fog - Carl Sandburg |
| The Tale of Custard the Dragon - Ogden Nash |
| For Anne Gregory - W.B. Yeats |