Question

Write an appreciation of the poem considering the following points:

• About the poem, poet, and title.
• Theme/summary/gist of the poem.
• Poetic style/language, poetic devices used in the poem.
• Special features/novelties/focusing elements.
• Message/values/morals in the poem.
• Your opinion about the poem.

Answer 1

Appreciation of the poem ‘The Cherry Tree’

About the poem, poet, and title: The poem ‘Cherry Tree’ is written by Ruskin Bond. The title itself suggests that the poem pertains to a cherry tree.

Theme/summary/gist of the poem: It is a Nature poem as it has elements of nature in it. The poem vividly describes the planting of a cherry seed by the poet and how against all odds, the little plant continues to grow. The poem highlights the tree’s strong instinct to survive. The plant finally transforms into six feet high tree with flowers on it. It is a mesmerising sight to behold. The poet is overjoyed when he sees it. He glorifies one little ripened cherry hanging from the tree’s branches. He is in awe of the beauty and wonders of nature. The poet refers to the blue sky, birds, insects, and also the starry night sky in this context and how each one of them; including the poet complements the cherry tree.

Poetic style/language, poetic devices used in the poem: The style/language used in the poem is simple and lucid. Poetic devices like Alliteration, Anti-climax, Antithesis, Climax, Consonance, Metaphor, Personification, and Repetition have been used to make the poem alluring to the readers and to set the overall mood of the poem. An example of Personification from the poem is “And moon-moths and singing crickets and I”- where the crickets have been given the animate quality of being able to sing.

Special features/novelties/focusing elements: Vivid imagery has been used by the poet to make the whole process of a seed turning into a plant appealing to the readers. The poet has focused on the wonders of nature by making use of natural elements like the various seasons, the sky, animals, birds, and insects.

Message/values/morals in the poem: The underlying message of the poem is to plant trees and reap joy from them. It also highlights the importance of trees in our surroundings.

Your opinion about the poem: Overall, I think that the poem is a good read. It is quite appealing as it portrays a detailed and colourful picture before our eyes of a little plant growing into a blooming tree; overcoming hardships that lay in its path.