Question

Then the matter
Of scorching and choking
In sun and air,
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering,
And then it is done.

Questions :

(1)When is the process narrated in this stanza take place?
(2) How does a tree die ? or How is a tree killed?
(3) Identify and explain the Figure of Speech in the lines :
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering.

Answer 1

(1) The process narrated in this stanza takes place when a tree is slowly rooted out from the earth.

(2) After the tree is rooted out from the earth, it does not stand erectly anymore. It lies on the ground under the scorching sun. It takes days together in the drying process. In the scorching heat of the sun, it becomes brown and gets hardened. While drying it gets twisted and finally withers away.

(3) The Figure of Speech in the lines: ‘Browning, hardening, Twisting, withering’ is climax.
Here, the entire drying process occurs in this ascending order, hence it is climax.