Question

Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow.

(a) “A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound No other tree could live.’’

(i) Which tree is referred to in the above lines?

(ii) How does the tree survive the tight hold of the creeper?

(iii) Why does Toru Dutt use the expression ‘a creeper climbs’?

(b) “The giant wears the scarf, and flowers are hung In crimson clusters all the bough among!”

(i) Who is the giant here?

(ii) Why is the scarf colourful?

(c) “Fear, trembling Hope, and Death, the skeleton, And Time the shadow” , and though weak the verse That would thy beauty fain, oh, fain rehearse, May Love defend tree from oblivion’s curse.”

(i) What does the poet mean by the expression ‘May love defend thee from oblivion’s curse?’

(ii) What does the expression ‘fain’ convey?

(iii) What does the poet convey through the expression ‘Fear, trembling hope’?

Answer 1

(a) (i) Casuarina tree is referred to in the above line.

(ii) The tree takes the tight hold of the creeper like the embraces of a lady love. So, it doesn’t hurt the tree. It grows stronger bearing the bite marks of love.

(iii) A creeper cannot grow without the support of another tree or a pole. While climbing, it tries to sap the energy from the living tree. If the creeper doesn’t climb, it would die without sunlight. So, the poet says the creeper climbs. It twines its body around the tree and keeps climbing.

(b) (i) Casuarina tree is the giant here.

(ii) The scarf is colourful because the tight embrace of the creeper has caused the crimson colour on its outer skin. The poem has a reference to the three young Dutt’s who were affected by tuberculosis and eventually died. The creeper could also refer to TB which sapped the tree’s life.

(c) (i) Any living thing will have to meet death. But the poet deeply believes that her love for the tree would ensure its immortality. She will live for ever in her verses. 

(ii) Fain means eagerly.

(iii) Fear and trembling hope mean the fear of lurking death and trembling hope is that death may not attack in the near future.