Question

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

When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, lions hunker down in tall grasses, and even elephants lumber after safety.

1. What three images from the natural world does Angelou use to describe the effect of great trees falling?  [3]
2. Angelou compares great trees to great souls.  [3]
   Mention two ways in which this comparison is appropriate.
   What is the mood created by the lines in the above extract?
3. What words does the poet use to describe the condition of the air around us when great souls die?  [3]
   What feeling is being expressed in the line, ‘We breathe, briefly’?
4. What, according to the poet, are the two things we remember and regret when a great soul dies?  [3]
   What happens to our souls when great souls die?
5. ‘Angelou’s poem is about the lasting influence of great souls.’  [4]
   Explain the above statement briefly.
   What aspect of the poem appeals to you?
   Give one reason for your response.

Answer 1

(i) The poet uses the images of:

• Rocks on distant hills shuddering
• Lions crouching in tall grasses
• Elephants are moving slowly toward safety

(ii) Two ways Angelou compares great trees to great souls:

• Just as great trees are strong and important in nature, great souls are strong and influential in society.
• When great trees fall they disturb the natural world, just as the death of great people deeply affects humanity.

The mood is solemn, serious, and tense, showing the shock and disturbance caused by the loss of great souls.

(iii) The poet describes the air as “light, rare, sterile.”

The line “We breathe, briefly” expresses shock, grief, and helplessness felt after the death of a great person.

(iv) The two things we remember and regret when a great soul dies are:

• Their kind words.
• Their good deeds that were left undone or incomplete.

Our souls grow stronger and wiser, inspired by the memory and influence of the great souls.

(v) The poet explains that although great people die, their goodness, wisdom, and actions continue to influence others. Their lives inspire people to become better and stronger. Thus, their spirit and teachings live on in the hearts and minds of others.

The powerful imagery in the poem appeals to me.
It helps the reader visualise the deep impact that the death of great people has on the world.