THE TREES

- Adrienne Rich

Introduction
"The Trees" by Adrienne Rich, published in 1976, is a poem that explores nature's reclaiming of
space. It describes trees breaking free from confinement inside a house and moving towards the
forest, symbolising freedom and renewal". The poem reflects Adrienne Rich's feminist perspective,
as the trees can be seen as a metaphor for women breaking free from societal confinement
towards independence.
Themes
FREEDOM AND LIBERATION
The poem highlights the theme of freedom as the trees struggle to break free from their
confinement indoors. It symbolizes the universal desire for liberation, whether it is for nature or
humans, and emphasizes the importance of reclaiming one's rightful place.
RENEWAL AND RECONNECTION WITH NATURE
The poem explores the idea of renewal as the trees leave the artificial environment of the house to
return to their natural habitat-the forest. It conveys the message that nature thrives best when it is
allowed to exist freely and harmoniously.
STRUGGLE AND DETERMINATION
The trees' effort to escape confinement reflects the theme of struggle and determination. Despite
being cramped and restricted for a long time, they persist in their journey toward freedom,
symbolizing resilience and hope. Message
INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF LIFE
The poem also portrays how life in nature is interconnected. The forest, once empty and lifeless,
will be full of life again with the return of the trees, providing shelter to birds, insects, and other
creatures. This shows now every element in nature depends on one another to thrive.
POETIC DEVICES
Personification - "The trees inside are moving out into the forest",
"No sun bury its feet in shadow" ,
All night the roots work, small twigs stiff with exertion,
leaves strain toward the glass
long-cramped boughs shuffling under the roof
Winds rush.. , The trees are stumbling forward
Imagery – where no bird could sit / no insect hide / No sun bury its feet in shadow
"The night is fresh, the whole moon shines in a sky still open"
"The smell of leaves and lichen still reaches like a voice into the rooms" (olfactory)
The trees are stumbling forward
Simile - "Long-cramped boughs shuffling under the roof like newly discharged patients"
"The moon is broken like a mirror", smell of leaves and lichen still reaches like a voice
into the rooms.
Metaphor - The entire poem serves as an extended metaphor where the trees symbolize freedom
and renewal, and their movement represents breaking free from confinement.
its pieces flash now in the crown of the tallest oak
Alliteration - "Long letters" , "Leaves and lichen"
Enjambment - "The forest that was empty all these days / where no bird could sit / no insect hide /
no sun bury its feet in shadow"
Anaphora - "No bird could sit / no insect hide / no sun bury its feet in shadow"
Repetition - "The forest that was empty all these days... The forest that was empty all these
nights"
Hyperbole – ‘The forest that was empty all these nights’ , small twigs stiff with exertion
writing long letters
Irony - in which I scarcely mention the departure of the forest from the house.
Synecdoche – the roots work, leaves strain, small twigs stiff, doors open to the veranda
Metonymy – the departure of the forest from the house,
Foreshadowing – will be full of trees by morning. , which tomorrow will be silent.
Contrast - the forest that was empty all these nights \ will be full of trees by morning
Onomatopoeia - Listen. The glass is breaking.
SYMBOLISM
In "The Trees", Adrienne Rich uses symbolism to convey deeper meanings about confinement,
struggle, and liberation. The key symbols used in the poem are:
1. Trees - Symbolism: Individuals seeking freedom
Explanation: The trees represent people, especially women, who feel confined and wish to break
free from restrictions. Their struggle to escape from the house symbolises the effort needed to
achieve independence and reclaim their identity.
2 Forest - Symbolism: Freedom and natural space, renewal and life after freedom
Explanation: The forest represents a place of liberation, where the trees truly belong. It symbolises
the broader world or society where individuals can thrive and grow, free from limitations and
confinement. Represents renewal and life after liberation.
3. Glass - Symbolism: Barriers or obstacles
Explanation: The glass that the trees break through represents the barriers that confine them.
When the glass shatters, it indicates breaking through limitations or societal expectations, allowing
the movement toward freedom.
CBQs

1. Why does the poet describe the trees as "long-cramped"?

LAQs
1. How does the imagery of the trees' movement from the house to the forest, in 'Trees', reflect
broader themes of liberation and growth in human experiences?
2. Change never comes easy. Justify the quote in the context of the poem "The Trees".