Question

Read the following extract from Maya Angelou’s poem, ‘When Great Trees Fall’ and answer the questions that follow:

When great trees fall in forests, small things recoil into silence, their senses eroded beyond fear.

1. What effect does the falling of a ‘great tree’ have on the creatures of the forest?  [3]
2. How does the death of a great soul affect the lives of those left behind in the immediate aftermath of their passing?  [3]
3. What long-term effect does the death of a ‘great soul' have?  [3]
4. What feeling is being expressed by the following lines/phrases?  [3]
   1. small things recoil into silence
   2. kind words/unsaid,
   3. Beand be/better. For they existed
5. What is a ‘Great tree’ a metaphor for?  [4]
   What is the central message of Angelou’s poem, “When Great Trees Fall"?

Answer 1

1. Lions burrow down, elephants lumber and little things recoil into stillness.
2. Breathing becomes difficult due to rarefied and sterile air, emotional choking, clear vision, and remorse for unfulfilled promises.
3. Breathing becomes difficult due to rarefied and sterile air, emotional choking, stinging clarity, and remorse over unfulfilled promises.
4. (a) little things recoil into silence—shock, numbness, startled.
   (b) Kind words and unsaid remorse
   (c) Be and be better. They existed: optimism, hope, and happy acceptance.
5. The tree represents a great soul. 'Losing a loved one is both devastating and inevitable. 'The memories and influence of the magnificent soul will continue to positively alter our lives. It gives us hope and healing to become better versions of ourselves.