CBSE Class 11 English Woven Words Poetry: Felling of the Banyan Tree NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

CBSE Class 11 English Woven Words Poetry Chapter 10, 'Felling of the Banyan Tree,' NCERT Solutions, offers a deep dive into the poem's themes. It explores the poignant narrative of a beloved banyan tree's destruction, contrasting the poet's father's practical, albeit destructive, actions with the grandmother's reverence for nature. The solutions unpack the emotional weight of losing such a significant tree, examining its sacredness and the lasting, haunting memories it leaves behind. Special attention is given to the banyan tree's unique qualities and its symbolic significance within the poem. These explanations aim to enhance students' understanding of the poem's deeper meanings, facilitate analysis of its literary techniques, and provide a solid foundation for exam preparation through clear, sequential interpretations.

Home

Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	English Woven Words Poetry
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 10

Chapter summary

Chapter 10, 'Felling of the Banyan Tree,' NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Poetry, focuses on analyzing the poem's critical stance against the destruction of nature. It explores themes of memory, the clash between tradition and modernity, and the emotional trauma associated with uprooting a significant tree. The solutions break down the poet's use of imagery and language to convey the sacredness of trees and the profound impact of their felling. This chapter's exercises help students understand the poet's perspective and the symbolic significance of the banyan tree.

Learning outcomes

Identify the critical tone of the poet towards the felling of the banyan tree.
Analyze the words that reveal the nature of the poet's father.
Interpret the implied meaning of the grandmother's statement about trees being sacred.
Understand the significance of the phrase 'grows and seethes' in the context of memory and anger.
Differentiate the banyan tree from other trees based on the poet's descriptions.
Recognize the symbolic representation of the banyan tree's rings.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Critical tone in poetry
Destruction of nature
Memory and trauma
Symbolism of trees
Father's character analysis
Religious beliefs about nature
Imagery in poetry
Poetic interpretation
Felling of the Banyan Tree poem analysis
Sacredness of trees
Lingering memories
Nature vs. Pragmatism

Important topics

Critical tone towards nature's destruction
Symbolic meaning of the banyan tree
The phrase 'grows and seethes'
Grandmother's perspective on sacred trees
Father's pragmatic approach and its consequences

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …

Page of

Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

1. Identify the lines that reveal the critical tone of the poet towards the felling of the tree.

1. Identify the lines that reveal the critical tone of the poet towards the felling of the tree.

Solution: The poem "Felling of the Banyan Tree" by Dilip Chitre contains several lines that clearly express the poet's critical and disapproving attitude towards the destruction of the tree. These lines emphasize the brutality and the emotional impact of the felling. Examples include:

"Its scraggy aerial roots fell to the ground"

"Sawing them off for seven days and the heap was huge"

"Fifty men with axes chopped and chopped"

"Insects and birds began to leave the tree"

"We watched in terror and fascination this slaughter"

The use of words like "slaughter" strongly conveys the poet's condemnation of the act, portraying it not as a mere removal but as a violent destruction.

2. Identify the words that help you understand the nature of the poet's father.

2. Identify the words that help you understand the nature of the poet's father.

Solution: The poem provides insights into the nature of the poet's father through specific words and phrases that highlight his pragmatic and perhaps ruthless approach to decision-making. The father ordered the removal of the trees, indicating a decisive and action-oriented personality. Key phrases that reveal his nature are:

"the structures were demolished"

"but he massacred them all"

"My father ordered it to be removed"

These expressions suggest a personality that prioritizes the completion of tasks and the removal of obstacles, even if it involves complete destruction, as implied by "massacred." He appears to be a figure of authority who acts decisively.

3. 'Trees are sacred my grandmother used to say'— what does the poet imply by this line?

3. 'Trees are sacred my grandmother used to say'— what does the poet imply by this line?

Solution: By quoting his grandmother saying, "Trees are sacred," the poet implies a deep-rooted cultural and religious belief system that venerates trees. In many traditions, including Hinduism, certain trees like the banyan, neem, and tulsi are considered holy and are worshipped. The eradication of such trees is often viewed as a sin, associated with potential disasters like plague or starvation, as mentioned in folk tales. This line serves to contrast the traditional reverence for nature with the modern, pragmatic act of felling the tree, highlighting the loss of this sacred connection and the potential negative consequences of disregarding it.

4. 'No trees except the one which grows and seethes in one's dreams'— why is the phrase 'grows and seethes' used?

4. 'No trees except the one which grows and seethes in one's dreams'— why is the phrase 'grows and seethes' used?

Solution: The phrase "grows and seethes" is used to describe the enduring and intense memory of the banyan tree that haunts the poet. After the tree was removed, its memory persisted and intensified in the poet's subconscious. The word "grows" signifies that the memory doesn't fade but rather strengthens and becomes more prominent over time, continuing to exist in his dreams. The word "seethes" adds a layer of powerful emotion, suggesting that the memory is not just persistent but also filled with rage, anguish, and a simmering resentment over the tree's violent destruction. It evokes an image of the severed tree's spirit or memory boiling with anger and a desire for vengeance, making the experience deeply unsettling for the poet.

5. How does the banyan tree stand out as different from other trees? What details of the tree does the poet highlight in the poem?

5. How does the banyan tree stand out as different from other trees? What details of the tree does the poet highlight in the poem?

Solution: The banyan tree is presented as distinct from other trees due to its immense age, grandeur, and symbolic significance. The poet highlights specific details that emphasize its unique character and long history. One key detail is the mention of its age, indicated by the rings on its trunk:

"The great tree revealed its rings of two hundred years"

This detail suggests that the tree has witnessed centuries of history, making it a living monument. Unlike ordinary trees, its sheer size and longevity give it a presence that commands respect and awe. The poem implies that such ancient and significant trees hold a special place, possibly sacred, which sets them apart from the common flora.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting the father's actions as purely practical without considering the emotional and environmental impact.
Overlooking the symbolic meaning of the banyan tree and its destruction.
Failing to connect the grandmother's beliefs with the poet's critical tone.
Not fully grasping the dual meaning of 'grows and seethes' related to memory and rage.

Revision tips

Reread the poem, paying close attention to the specific lines quoted in the solutions.
Discuss the father's character and motivations with a study partner.
Reflect on the cultural and religious significance of trees mentioned in the poem.
Summarize the poet's feelings about the banyan tree in your own words.
Analyze how the poet uses descriptive language to make the tree memorable.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which phrase from the poem best illustrates the critical tone towards the tree's felling?

Q2. What does the phrase 'but he massacred them all' suggest about the poet's father?

Q3. According to the grandmother's saying, why are trees considered sacred?

Q4. The phrase 'grows and seethes' in relation to the tree in dreams implies:

Q5. What detail highlights the banyan tree's ancient existence?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'Felling of the Banyan Tree'?

The main theme is the critical perspective on the destruction of nature, the emotional impact of uprooting a significant tree, and the conflict between tradition/nature and modernization/pragmatism.

How does the poem convey a critical tone?

The poem uses words like 'slaughter' and describes the felling process in a way that evokes horror and fascination, highlighting the brutality of the act and the poet's disapproval.

What is the significance of the banyan tree in the poem?

The banyan tree symbolizes nature, tradition, and deep-rooted history. Its felling represents a loss of heritage and a disregard for the sacredness of nature.

What does the poet's father represent?

The poet's father represents a pragmatic, modern mindset that prioritizes development and removal of obstacles, often without considering the emotional or ecological consequences.

Why are the grandmother's words about trees being sacred important?

They provide a contrasting perspective to the father's actions, emphasizing the cultural and religious value placed on trees, which the felling disregards.

How can these NCERT solutions help with exam preparation?

These solutions provide clear interpretations of the poem's lines, themes, and characters, helping students understand complex ideas and formulate well-supported answers for their exams.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.