The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light,
But stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain,
Never became a forest king
But lived and died a scrubby thing.
The man who never had to toil
To gain and farm his patch of soil,
Who never had to win his share
Of sun and sky and light and air,
Never became a manly man
But lived and died as he began.
Questions:
i. What is the central theme of the stanzas?
ii. Identify the figurative language used in the stanzas and explain its significance.
iii. How does the poet use the image of a tree to convey a message about life?
iv. Explain the contrast between the tree that "never had to fight" and the one that "stood out in the open plain."
v. What message is conveyed about hard work and its role in shaping a person's character?
vi. How does the poet use nature imagery to draw parallels between the fate of the tree and the man?
vii. Discuss the impact of the elements (sun, sky, air, and light) on both the tree and the man in the stanzas.
viii. In what way does the poem suggest a connection between labor and personal growth?
ix. Analyze the phrase "Never became a manly man" in the context of the overall message of the stanzas.
x. How does the repetition of certain words contribute to the poet's message about the outcomes of facing challenges and working hard in life?