ST.
MICHAEL’S COLLEGE
College of Education
Iligan City
S.Y 2022 – 2023
TREES
Joyce Kilmer
Lit-05 SURVEY OF ENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE
SUBMITTED BY: MONTE, SITTIE SAENAH M.
SUBMITTED TO: SIR JOSEPH MICHAEL T. BENTOY
Introduction
"Trees" is a poem by Joyce Kilmer written in 1913. By far Kilmer's most popular
work, the speaker insists that no poem can ever be as "lovely as a tree." In other words,
human art invariably fails to match the beauty and majesty of nature. This is because
nature was created by God, the speaker says; God designed the natural world, and thus
its perfect harmony, balance, and wonder stands in testament to God's power. The best
poetry can do, it seems, is to acknowledge its own failure while praising the wonder of
God's creation.
Objectives
Appreciate the beauty of nature
Nature is much more beautiful than art, because God creates nature and people
creates art.
Humanities faith in God
Body
"Trees" celebrates the majesty of nature, insisting that no art that humankind
makes can match even the simple beauty of a tree. The poem can thus be read as a
hymn of praise to God’s creation, celebrating both the wonder of the natural world and
its maker. The speaker talks plainly of poetry’s inability to capture the true beauty of
nature; no poem can be “lovely as a tree,” the speaker says, before going on to
describe precisely what makes trees so wonderful. For one thing, the speaker presents
the tree as an essential part of a peaceful, harmonious natural world. When the tree
needs nourishment, it simply drinks directly from “the earth’s sweet flowing breast.” In
turn, the tree itself becomes a home for birds, and has a close “intima[cy]” with snow
and rain. The tree’s loveliness thus comes in part from its interconnectedness with other
parts of nature. In other words, the tree is part of a perfectly balanced natural
ecosystem. And this awe-inspiring majesty, the poem insists, could only be the work of
God.
Conclusion
The whole poem is symbolic in which nature is personified and its Creator is
appreciated. Another important aspect of this poem is the criticism of human’s activities
against the nature. God creates trees, while humans cut it to and write poems on the
paper made out of it. The poet seems to be critical of this activity. This is why he calls
himself and other poets fools.
1. HOW RELEVANT WERE THE TOPICS DISCUSSED?
The poem trees by Joyce Kilmer are relevant because it made us think how important
trees are how creative God in nature. And we should appreciate the creativity of God
because we humans can never create something like the tree. Instead of cutting the
trees, we should learn to enjoy the nature trees that are part of earth.
2. DOES THE STORIES SHOW INFLUENCES TODAY IN THE MODERN
WORLD?
No, the poem Trees by Joyce Kilmer was written over 100 years ago and does not
reflect any current influences in the modern world. The poem Trees by Joyce Kilmer can
still be seen as an influence today in the modern world in the sense that it is a reminder
of the beauty and power of nature and the need to protect and conserve the natural
environment. It is also a reminder of the importance of poetry in expressing human
emotions and thoughts. The poem serves as a reminder that beauty can be found in the
natural world and that it is worth preserving.
