The Trees Class 10 UP Board Solutions 2026 | Summary, Explanation, MCQ & PDF

The Trees Class 10 UP Board Solutions 2026

Central Idea Word Meanings Stanza Meaning Poetic Devices Question-Answers Top MCQs Poetry FAQs

Central Idea of the Poem: The Trees

The poem "The Trees" by Adrienne Rich highlights the conflict between man and nature. The poet depicts trees moving from the artificial glasshouses of humans back to their natural home—the forest. This movement is a metaphor for women’s liberation, showing how women are breaking free from the boundaries of their homes to find their place in the outside world. The poem suggests that nature (and women) cannot be imprisoned forever and will eventually reclaim their freedom.

Important Word Meanings

Word	English Meaning	Hindi Meaning
Bury	To engrave	दफ़न करना
Disengage	Set loose	मुक्त करना
Exertion	Act of exercising with effort	उद्यम/प्रयास
Twig	Small branch of tree	तिनका/टहनी
Bough	Branch of tree	शाखा
Shuffling	Moving repeatedly from one position to another	एक बार में स्थिति बदलना
Lichen	Moss	शैवाल
Stumble	To strike	भूल करना/ठोकर खाना

Stanza-wise Explanation (English & Hindi)

Stanza 1 Extract:

"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..."

English Explanation: The poet observes that trees which were kept inside as decoration are now struggling to move back to their original home—the forest. Since the forest was empty, birds had no place to sit and insects had no place to hide. But now, the forest will be full of trees by morning.

हिन्दी भावार्थ: कवि देखता है कि जो पेड़ अब तक घर के अंदर सजावट के लिए थे, वे अब अपने असली घर—जंगल—की ओर जाने के लिए संघर्ष कर रहे हैं। क्योंकि जंगल खाली था, इसलिए पक्षियों के पास बैठने की और कीड़ों के पास छिपने की कोई जगह नहीं थी। लेकिन अब, सुबह होने तक जंगल पेड़ों से भर जाएगा।

Stanza 2 Extract:

"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..."

English Explanation: The trees are making a great effort all night. The roots are trying to free (disengage) themselves from the veranda floor's cracks. The leaves are pressing against the glass windows, and small twigs have become stiff because of the physical effort (exertion) to get out.

हिन्दी भावार्थ: पेड़ पूरी रात कड़ी मेहनत कर रहे हैं। जड़ें खुद को बरामदे के फर्श की दरारों से मुक्त (disengage) करने की कोशिश कर रही हैं। पत्तियां शीशे की खिड़कियों पर दबाव डाल रही हैं, और छोटी टहनियां बाहर निकलने के शारीरिक प्रयास (exertion) के कारण सख्त हो गई हैं।

Stanza 3 Extract:

"I sit inside, doors open to the veranda
writing long letters in which I scarcely mention the departure
of the forest from the house."

English Explanation: The poet is sitting inside her house with doors open to the veranda, writing long letters. Surprisingly, she hardly (scarcely) mentions the major event—the trees leaving the house to go back to the forest.

हिन्दी भावार्थ: कवयित्री अपने घर के अंदर बरामदे की ओर दरवाजे खोलकर बैठी है और लंबी चिट्ठियां लिख रही है। आश्चर्य की बात यह है कि वह इस बड़ी घटना—पेड़ों का घर छोड़कर वापस जंगल की ओर जाना—का अपने पत्रों में शायद ही (scarcely) जिक्र करती है।

Stanza 4 Extract:

"The glass is breaking. The trees are stumbling forward
into the night. Winds rush to meet them.
The moon is broken like a mirror..."

English Explanation: Finally, the glass breaks and the trees move forward into the night. Strong winds blow to welcome them. The moon, which was once full, now appears broken like a mirror because its light is filtered through the thick leaves and branches of the tall oak tree.

हिन्दी भावार्थ: अंत में, शीशा टूट जाता है और पेड़ रात के अंधेरे में आगे बढ़ जाते हैं। उनका स्वागत करने के लिए तेज़ हवाएं चलती हैं। चंद्रमा, जो पहले पूरा था, अब एक टूटे हुए शीशे की तरह दिखाई देता है क्योंकि उसकी रोशनी ऊंचे बलूत (oak) के पेड़ की घनी पत्तियों और शाखाओं के बीच से छनकर आ रही है।

Poetic Devices & Literary Terms

Adrienne Rich ne is kavita mein prakriti aur mahilaon ki azadi ko dikhane ke liye kai mukhya alankar (devices) ka prayog kiya hai:

1. Personification (मानवीकरण):

Kavi ne pedon ko insaanon ki tarah pesh kiya hai jo ghar chhodkar bahar nikal rahe hain.
Example: "The trees... are moving out into the forest". Isme pedon ko chalte hue dikhaya gaya hai jo insani gun hai.

2. Simile (उपमा अलंकार):

Yahan pedon ki shakhayon (branches) ki tulna hospital se chutti paye mareezon se ki gayi hai.
Example: "like newly discharged patients". Mareezon ki tarah ped ki shakhayein bhi rasta dhoondhti hui dikhayi gayi hain.

3. Metaphor (रूपक अलंकार):

Puri kavita mahilaon ke sashaktikaran (women empowerment) ka ek roopak hai. "Trees" yahan un mahilaon ka prateek hain jo ghar ki char-diwari se nikal kar samaj mein apni jagah banana chahti hain.

4. Imagery (दृश्य चित्रण):

Kavi ne bahut hi prabhavshali images ka prayog kiya hai jaise pedon ki jadon ka dararon se nikalna aur chand ka tutna.
Example: "Moon is broken like a mirror". Isse humein ped ki unchai aur ghani shakhayon ka ehsas hota hai jo chand ki roshni ko tukdon mein baat deti hain.

5. Symbolism (प्रतीकवाद):

• Forest: Yeh azadi aur prakriti ka prateek hai.
• House/Glasshouse: Yeh bandhan aur artificiality ka prateek hai.

6. Alliteration (अनुप्रास):

Yahan ek hi vyanjan dhwani (consonant sound) ka repeat hona dikhta hai.
Example: "Long letters".

Textbook Questions and Solutions (Important)

Short Answer Questions (Top 20)

Q1. Where are the trees in the poem and where do they go?

Ans: The trees are currently inside the house, kept in a decorative or confined space. They are moving out towards the forest, which has been empty for a long time.

Q2. Name three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest.

Ans: In a treeless forest, (i) no bird can sit on a branch, (ii) no insect can find a place to hide, and (iii) the sun cannot bury its rays in the shadow of leaves.

Q3. What do the roots do all night?

Ans: The roots work continuously all night to free (disengage) themselves from the cracks in the veranda floor.

Q4. How does the poet describe the twigs?

Ans: The poet describes the small twigs as stiff or hard because of the extreme physical effort (exertion) they make to move out.

Q5. To whom does the poet compare the boughs?

Ans: The long-cramped boughs are compared to "newly discharged patients" who are half-dazed and trying to find the clinic doors.

Q6. What is the poet doing inside the room?

Ans: The poet is sitting inside with the doors open to the veranda, writing long letters.

Q7. Why does the poet "scarcely mention" the departure of the forest?

Ans: She is silent about it because the event is so sudden, unexpected, and perhaps embarrassing for humans who imprisoned nature.

Q8. How does the night appear in the third stanza?

Ans: The night is described as "fresh," and the whole moon shines in an open sky.

Q9. What breaks in the final stanza?

Ans: The glass of the window or glasshouse breaks as the trees struggle to stumble forward into the night.

Q10. What does the "smell of leaves and lichen" signify?

Ans: It signifies the presence of nature that still reaches the rooms like a voice, even as the trees are leaving.

Q11. What meets the trees as they stumble out? Ans: Winds rush forward to meet and welcome the trees.

Q12. How does the moon change at the end? Ans: The moon, which was whole, appears broken like a mirror in the crown of the oak tree.

Q13. What is 'Lichen'? Ans: It is a slow-growing plant (moss) that grows on rocks and trees.

Q14. Why is the forest "empty"? Ans: Because humans have brought the trees inside their homes for decoration.

Q15. What will be silent tomorrow? Ans: The whispers in the poet's head will be silent by morning.

Q16. What does 'Disengage' mean? Ans: It means to set something loose or free from confinement.

Q17. Identify the poet. Ans: The poem is written by Adrienne Rich.

Q18. What is the crown of the oak? Ans: It refers to the top-most part or the head of the oak tree.

Q19. Why do birds need trees? Ans: Birds need trees to sit on branches and build their nests.

Q20. What does 'stumble' mean? Ans: It means to walk or move unsteadily, often striking against something.

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Long Answer Questions (Top 10)

Q1. Elaborate on the central theme of the poem "The Trees".

Ans: The poem deals with the conflict between man and nature. Humans have tried to confine nature (trees) within the walls of their houses for interior decoration. However, nature cannot be imprisoned forever. The poem also has a symbolic meaning where trees represent women who are breaking free from domestic boundaries to find their true place in the world.

Q2. How does the poet use the metaphor of "newly discharged patients"?

Ans: Adrienne Rich compares the boughs of the trees to half-dazed patients leaving a hospital. Just as patients are exhausted but hopeful to reach home, the trees are tired from the effort of breaking out of the house but are determined to reach the forest.

Q3. Compare "The Trees" with "A Tiger in the Zoo".

Ans: Both poems highlight the theme of imprisonment. In "A Tiger in the Zoo," an animal is caged for human entertainment, while in "The Trees," plants are "imprisoned" for interior decoration. Both show the struggle of living beings to break out and return to their natural habitats—the forest.

Q4. What is the symbolic meaning of trees in Adrienne Rich's poetry?

Ans: In this poem, trees have been used as a metaphor for human beings, specifically women. The "revolt" of the trees against being stuffed in houses represents the feminist movement where women reclaim their freedom and identity in society.

Q5. Describe the night scene when the trees finally move out.

Ans: The night is fresh and the moon is full, but as the trees reach the forest, the glass of the house breaks. Winds rush to welcome the trees, and the moon appears broken into pieces as it gets hidden behind the tall oak tree's branches.

Q6. Explain the struggle of the roots and leaves. Ans: The poet shows that liberation is not easy; it requires constant effort. Every part of the tree—roots, twigs, and leaves—works tirelessly to break the artificial barriers.

Q7. Why is the departure of the forest "silent" in the letters? Ans: It suggests that the most important changes in society or nature often happen quietly or are ignored by those who are comfortable with the status quo.

Q8. Discuss the role of Adrienne Rich as a feminist poet. Ans: Rich uses natural symbols to portray the desire for freedom, making her poetry a voice for those who feel restricted by societal norms.

Q9. How does the poem show the victory of nature? Ans: By the end of the poem, the forest that was empty is filled with trees by morning, showing that nature's will always triumphs over human control.

Q10. Compare "The Trees" with "On Killing a Tree". Ans: Both poems personify trees. While "On Killing a Tree" shows the destruction of nature by man, "The Trees" shows the resilience and revolt of nature against man.

Top 30 Important MCQs (Previous Year Repeats)

1. Who is the poet of the poem 'The Trees'?
(A) Robert Frost | (B) Adrienne Rich | (C) John Berryman | (D) Robin Klein
Ans: (B) Adrienne Rich

2. Where are the trees currently located in the poem?
(A) In the forest | (B) Inside the house | (C) In the garden | (D) On the mountains
Ans: (B) Inside the house

3. What happens to the forest when there are no trees?
(A) It becomes more beautiful | (B) Birds cannot sit and insects cannot hide | (C) It remains the same | (D) It grows automatically
Ans: (B) Birds cannot sit and insects cannot hide

4. What do the roots do all night?
(A) They sleep | (B) They grow deeper | (C) They work to disengage from the cracks | (D) They absorb water
Ans: (C) They work to disengage from the cracks

5. The branches are compared to which of the following?
(A) Small children | (B) Newly discharged patients | (C) Tired workers | (D) Moving clouds
Ans: (B) Newly discharged patients

6. Why are the twigs described as 'stiff'?
(A) Because of the cold | (B) Because of exertion (effort) | (C) Because they are old | (D) Because of the rain
Ans: (B) Because of exertion (effort)

7. What is the poet doing in the third stanza?
(A) Planting trees | (B) Writing long letters | (C) Sleeping | (D) Watching TV
Ans: (B) Writing long letters

8. What breaks like a mirror in the end?
(A) The window glass | (B) The moon | (C) The vase | (D) The door
Ans: (B) The moon

9. In the crown of which tree does the moon flash?
(A) Banyan | (B) Peepal | (C) Oak | (D) Neem
Ans: (C) Oak

10. What rushes to meet the trees as they move out?
(A) Rain | (B) Winds | (C) Animals | (D) Sunlight
Ans: (B) Winds

11. Symbolically, what do the 'Trees' represent in this poem?
(A) Nature only | (B) Men | (C) Women | (D) Children
Ans: (C) Women

12. What reaches the rooms 'like a voice'?
(A) The poet's song | (B) The smell of leaves and lichen | (C) The sound of wind | (D) The neighbors' talk
Ans: (B) The smell of leaves and lichen

13. How does the poet describe the night?
(A) Dark and scary | (B) Fresh | (C) Hot and humid | (D) Very long
Ans: (B) Fresh

14. The forest will be full of trees by:
(A) Evening | (B) Next week | (C) Morning | (D) Next year
Ans: (C) Morning

15. Which poetic device is used in "Moon is broken like a mirror"?
(A) Metaphor | (B) Personification | (C) Simile | (D) Oxymoron
Ans: (C) Simile

16. What is 'Lichen'?
(A) A flower | (B) A type of moss/fungus | (C) A fruit | (D) A bird
Ans: (B) A type of moss/fungus

17. What does the poet 'scarcely mention' in her letters?
(A) Her health | (B) The weather | (C) The departure of the forest | (D) Her family
Ans: (C) The departure of the forest

18. Which word in the poem means 'to separate/set free'?
(A) Bury | (B) Stumble | (C) Disengage | (D) Exertion
Ans: (C) Disengage

19. Where do the sun's 'feet' bury themselves in a treeless forest?
(A) In the water | (B) In the shadow | (C) In the sand | (D) They cannot bury themselves
Ans: (D) They cannot bury themselves

20. The movement of trees is a sign of:
(A) Destruction | (B) Rebellion and Freedom | (C) Tiredness | (D) End of the world
Ans: (B) Rebellion and Freedom

21. Adrienne Rich was born in:
(A) London | (B) Baltimore, Maryland | (C) New York | (D) Paris
Ans: (B) Baltimore, Maryland

22. Adrienne Rich is known as a ________ poet.
(A) Romantic | (B) Feminist and Radical | (C) Nature-only | (D) War
Ans: (B) Feminist and Radical

23. What happens to the window glass at the end?
(A) It is cleaned | (B) It breaks | (C) It is painted | (D) It remains same
Ans: (B) It breaks

24. Why are the boughs described as 'long-cramped'?
(A) Because they are tall | (B) Because they were confined in a small space | (C) Because they are dry | (D) Because they have many leaves
Ans: (B) Because they were confined in a small space

25. What is the head of the poet full of?
(A) Ideas | (B) Whispers | (C) Music | (D) Worry
Ans: (B) Whispers

26. When will the whispers be silent?
(A) Now | (B) Tomorrow | (C) Never | (D) After an hour
Ans: (B) Tomorrow

27. What is compared to the 'clinic doors'?
(A) The forest gate | (B) The veranda floor | (C) The house/glasshouse exits | (D) The garden fence
Ans: (C) The house/glasshouse exits

28. "Listen. The glass is breaking." Which sense is being appealed to?
(A) Sight | (B) Smell | (C) Hearing | (D) Touch
Ans: (C) Hearing

29. The phrase "no sun bury its feet in shadow" uses which device?
(A) Personification | (B) Alliteration | (C) Simile | (D) Repetition
Ans: (A) Personification

30. What is the primary message of the poem?
(A) Trees should be kept in houses | (B) Nature should be free and respected | (C) People should write letters | (D) Forests are dangerous
Ans: (B) Nature should be free and respected

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Top 30

Q1. Who is the poet of 'The Trees'?
Ans: The poem is written by Adrienne Rich, a famous American feminist poet.

Q2. Where are the trees moving to?
Ans: The trees are moving out from the poet's house into the forest.

Q3. Why was the forest empty?
Ans: The forest was empty because humans had confined the trees inside their homes for decoration.

Q4. What is the symbolic meaning of the 'Trees'?
Ans: Symbolically, the trees represent women who are breaking free from domestic boundaries to find their place in society.

Q5. What three things cannot happen in a treeless forest?
Ans: Birds cannot sit, insects cannot hide, and the sun cannot bury its feet in shadow.

Q6. How does the poet describe the moon at the beginning of the night?
Ans: The night is fresh and the whole moon shines in the open sky.

Q7. Why does the moon appear 'broken like a mirror' at the end?
Ans: Because the tall oak tree's branches and leaves block its view, making it look like pieces in a crown.

Q8. What do the roots do all night?
Ans: The roots work to free (disengage) themselves from the cracks in the veranda floor.

Q9. To whom are the boughs compared?
Ans: They are compared to newly discharged patients moving towards clinic doors.

Q10. What does 'Lichen' mean?
Ans: Lichen refers to a type of moss or fungus that grows on tree trunks and walls.

Q11. Why is the poet writing 'long letters'?
Ans: She is sitting inside, observing the change in nature while documenting her thoughts.

Q12. What does 'scarcely mention the departure' imply?
Ans: It implies that humans often ignore the significant struggles or quiet revolts happening around them.

Q13. What rushes to meet the trees?
Ans: Strong winds rush forward to welcome the trees back to the forest.

Q14. What does the glass breaking signify?
Ans: It signifies the breaking of artificial barriers and the victory of nature over human control.

Q15. Is Adrienne Rich a radical poet?
Ans: Yes, she is known as a feminist and radical poet who wrote about women's rights.

Q16. What is the 'crown' of the oak?
Ans: It is the topmost part of the tallest oak tree where the broken moon appears.

Q17. What does 'stumbling forward' mean?
Ans: It means moving with difficulty but persistence into the night.

Q18. What 'smell' still reaches the rooms?
Ans: The smell of leaves and lichen reaches the rooms like a voice.

Q19. What will be silent tomorrow?
Ans: The whispers in the poet's head about the departure of the trees will be silent.

Q20. What is the central conflict of the poem?
Ans: The conflict is between man’s desire to control nature and nature’s need for freedom.

Q21. Why are trees 'imprisoned' in cities?
Ans: They are used for interior decoration while natural forests are cut down.

Q22. How is this poem similar to 'A Tiger in the Zoo'?
Ans: Both poems deal with the theme of confinement and the desire to return to the forest.

Q23. What happens to the veranda floor?
Ans: It gets cracks as the roots work all night to break free.

Q24. What does 'Exertion' refer to in the poem?
Ans: It refers to the extreme physical effort made by the twigs to break the glass.

Q25. Where was Adrienne Rich born?
Ans: She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. in 1929.

Q26. What does 'scarcely' mean?
Ans: It means 'hardly' or 'almost not at all'.

Q27. Why are the boughs called 'cramped'?
Ans: Because they were squeezed into a small space inside the house.

Q28. What is the 'voice' reaching the rooms?
Ans: It is the metaphorical voice of nature (smell of leaves) calling for freedom.

Q29. What does 'Sun bury its feet' mean?
Ans: It means sun rays falling on the ground and creating shadows, which is impossible without trees.

Q30. What is the tone of the poem's end?
Ans: The tone is one of victory and hope as nature restores its balance.

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