The Trees Are Cut Down

Question 1

introduction

Answer 1

In this poem, Charlotte Mew describes how trees that she has a close connection with are being cut down by workmen, and how deeply this resonates with her. The poem is framed in the Universal contexts of man’s interaction with nature, loss and time.

Question 2

paragraphs

Answer 2

1) upset at beginning of poem
2) metaphorical idea of her own isolation projected onto nature
3) emotional climax

Question 3

paragraph 1 on anger at the loss of the trees

Answer 3

1) The poem starts with an epigraph from the book of Revelation. This sets up the religious and sacred nature of the trees and also created an ominous tone as the book of revelation carries apocalyptic messages.
2) “great plane trees” - trees are monumental and seem to symbolise stability for the poet. With their loss feels lost and confused.
3) “grate of the saw” - trill sound is harsh and violent.
4) “swish…rustle” - the delicacy and fragility of the trees contrasts with the harsh, robust saw.
5) “spring” - symbolise new life and regeneration
6) “dead rat” - subvert convention of spring, creating sense of unease and disruption of natural order of things.
7) “even a rat should be alive” - rat symbolises lowest form of nature. Therefore higher form of nature (trees) should unquestionably be alive.

Question 4

paragraph 2 on metaphorical idea of her own isolation projected onto nature

Answer 4

1) Structurally there is a shift in the poem. Previously two fairly regular stanza but now structure becomes completely broken up and fragmented. The dislocation of the lines is a visual appearance of her emotional dislocation as the trees previously grounded her.
2) “just one bough” - Symbol of isolation. Mew projects her own feelings onto the trees and they become a vehicle to express her loneliness. Branch becomes a metaphor for herself as her friends and family die leaving her alone. Also convey sense of mortality as the trees with she thought would last forever and about to die.
3) “fine grey rain” - image of insubstantiality and disillusionment as world is no longer solid around her.
4) “for a moment, unmake the spring” - death of rat momentarily caused her to question idea of regeneration.
5) “it is not for a moment the spring is unmade to-day” - contrast between temporary and permenant. Mew is permenantly disillusioned with Spring as a result of the loss of the trees. Writer truly realises that she is no loner able to regenerate, reminding her of her own mortality.
6) “half the spring, for me, will have gone with them” - Faith in rejuvenation gone. Foreshadows emotional climax as she is losing herself as the trees are lost, beginning of decline.

Question 5

paragraph 3 on emotional climax

Answer 5

1) “my heart has been struck with the hearts of the planes” - repetition of heart shows absolute identification and association with the trees. Struck is harsh and brutal verb suggesting how emotionally wounded she is by the loss of the trees, showing her empathy.
2) “great gales…great seas” - elemental images of destruction. Ironic that withstood this and yet man does.
3) “dying…flying…lying…crying” - insistent rhyme scheme. Dirge like effect as feels like a chant of mourning for both the trees and her own life. Sounds become elongated and stretched out like a wail.
4) “all day, I heard an angle crying: ‘Hurt not the trees.’” - Last line echoes the epigraph giving the poem a cyclical structure. Religious/divine connection.