Introduction
‘Our Casuarina Tree’ is a most celebrated poem of Torn Dutt. The theme of the poem is about last friendships and lost childhood. The Casuarina Tree is the living symbol of their childhood friendship. So, she writes an ode to it.
Description of the tree: The poet recalls that the Casuarina Tree was almost tall enough to touch the stars. It was strong with scars on its trunk. Though the creeper had cut into its trunk, it had given its support like a gentleman, for the creeper to lean and grow.She remembers that the tree was always in full bloom giving room to bees and birds. Throughout her childhood, the tree was seen not only as a paragon of strength but also as gentle and peaceful asylum loved by birds and bees.
Mornings in the company of the Casuarina Tree; She always used to wake up to the sight of the tree. Whatever be the season (i.e.) winter or summer, her mornings would never be complete without seeing the the Casuarina Tree. She had often seen a baboon sitting at its crest. The poet paints a serene picture of the morning. Kokilas sing, cows graze in the pasture and water lillies smile in the spring. But the tree plays the central role in the mornings and in the life of the poet.
Reasons for the bonding between the tree and the poet:
The poet does not hold the tree dear just because of its gigantic structure. There was an emotional bond between her and the tree. She and her friends played under the tree during their childhood days. As she held her childhood friends dear she couldn’t think the tree apart because it had become a living reminder of her precious friends.
Lament of the friendly tree; Whenever the poet was away far in the coasts of Italy or France, she could hear the lament of the tree conveying its grief of feeling her absence. Strolling under moonlight on the sea coasts she could hear the sad song of the tree.It reminded her of the the Casuarina Tree. In moments of tranquil solitude. She travels down the memory lane to the childhood days which are interlinked with the Casuarina Tree. The tree has become an integral part of her life. She moved on. Her friends also did. But the tree is rooted to the same spot as a monument of her pure childhood friendship with her friends.
Immortality conferred: Similar to Shakespeare, the poet believes in the ability of her poem to immortalize the Casuarina Tree. She wishes to add it to the list of deathless trees of Borrowdale. She expresses her wish that her love expressed in her poems would confer immortality on the tree. The tree would live forever.
Conclusion: The Casuarina Tree holds a special place in the heart of Torn Dutt because it was under the same tree she and her friends played. Her own younger siblings also had spent a lot of time under the tree. They had died. The tree had become a symbol of their everlasting friendship. So, the tree is endearing to the poet.
