The Trees - Extract Based Questions

Extract 1

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.

1. What are the trees inside doing?

   The trees are moving out into the forest.

2. How was the forest described before the trees moved?

   The forest was empty with no birds, insects, or shadows.

3. What poetic device is used in "no sun bury its feet in shadow"?

   Personification.

4. What is the expected state of the forest by morning?

   The forest will be full of trees.

5. Identify the mood created by the description of the forest.

   The mood is one of anticipation and transformation.

Extract 2

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.

1. What are the roots doing?

   The roots are working to disengage themselves from the cracks.

2. What are the leaves and twigs doing?

   The leaves strain toward the glass, and the twigs are stiff with exertion.

3. What simile is used to describe the boughs?

   The boughs are compared to newly discharged patients.

4. What does the simile imply about the boughs?

   The boughs are moving slowly and awkwardly, like patients leaving a clinic.

5. Identify the mood created by the description of the roots and branches.

   The mood is one of struggle and effort.

Extract 3

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.

1. What is the speaker doing?

   The speaker is writing long letters.

2. How does the speaker describe the night?

   The night is fresh with a whole moon shining.

3. What poetic device is used in "the smell of leaves and lichen still reaches like a voice"?

   Simile.

4. What does the speaker mention only briefly in their letters?

   The departure of the forest from the house.

5. Identify the mood created by the speaker's perspective.

   The mood is reflective and serene.

Extract 4

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.

1. What fills the speaker's head?

   The speaker's head is full of whispers.

2. What happens to the glass?

   The glass is breaking.

3. What poetic device is used in "The moon is broken like a mirror"?

   Simile.

4. What do the winds do as the trees move?

   The winds rush to meet the trees.

5. Identify the mood created by the trees’ final movement.

   - The mood is dynamic and dramatic.