5. Trees - Poetry - Class 12 - Kaleidoscope

Jul 10
4 min read

Updated: Jul 11

Author: Emily Dickinson

Textbook: Kaleidoscope

Genre: Lyric / Nature Poem / Philosophical Verse

Summary

In the poem Trees, Emily Dickinson presents a vibrant and spiritual depiction of nature on a summer day. The poem opens with the image of trees swaying like tassels in the sunlight, accompanied by tiny creatures that seem to create music. The “psalteries of summer” represent the natural music of the season that, while enchanting, remains elusive and never fully satisfying. The sun plays a dramatic role, appearing and disappearing behind clouds as if by personal choice, almost like a divine being controlling life below.

Dickinson blends the natural with the mystical, attributing human emotions and actions to flowers, birds, snakes, and even the sun. She describes flowers opening as if they were delicate flags being hoisted, infused with spices and colour. The poem ends on a humble note, with the poet admitting that she cannot fully express the day’s beauty—implying that nature surpasses even the finest artwork, including that of master painter Van Dyck.

This poem is a celebration of summer and nature’s grandeur, showing how closely observing the smallest details can unlock a universe of awe and poetic inspiration.

Character Sketch (N/A for this poem)

There is no central character, but Nature itself emerges as a living, spiritual presence. The Sun, Trees, and Creatures are personified and become participants in the day’s music and drama.

Themes

Theme	Description
Beauty of Nature	Celebrates the sensory richness and intricate charm of a summer day.
Personification of Nature	Nature is depicted as alive, emotional, and expressive like humans.
Limitations of Art	Even great art (like Van Dyck's paintings) cannot match nature’s wonder.
Imagination and Perception	Nature reveals its magic only to those who truly see and feel it.
Transcendentalism	Nature connects to divine or spiritual experience through poetic insight.

✨ Literary Devices / Poetic Devices

Device	Example	Effect
Personification	“The Trees like Tassels hit—and—swung”	Gives human-like movement and rhythm to trees.
Imagery	“Bright Flowers slit a Calyx / And soared upon a Stem”	Creates vivid mental pictures of blossoming.
Simile	“Like Hindered Flags”	Compares flowers to delayed flags rising, evoking beauty and hesitance.
Alliteration	“Silver matters charmed a Snake”	Adds musicality and flow.
Symbolism	“Psalteries of Summer”	Symbolic of unseen, heavenly music made by nature.
Enjambment	Lines flow without punctuation	Reflects fluidity and spontaneity of the day.

Title Justification

The title Trees anchors the poem in the natural world, drawing attention to one of the most vital and visible elements of summer. The trees are not just physical objects but active participants in the day’s music, movement, and energy. By choosing this simple title, Dickinson allows readers to look more deeply at something seemingly ordinary and see its poetic, musical, and divine qualities. The poem’s focus expands from the trees to the whole natural scene, but the title reminds us where it all began—with the trees stirring like tassels in sunlight.

One-Mark Questions

What are ‘psalteries of summer’?
The phrase refers to the imagined natural music created by insects and animals on a summer day. “Psaltery” is a musical instrument, and Dickinson uses it metaphorically.
How does Dickinson describe the sun?
She portrays the sun as a whimsical being who chooses when to appear or hide. It has “Estates of Cloud” to withdraw into.
What human actions are assigned to nature?
Trees “hit and swung,” birds “gossiped,” and flowers “soared” like flags. These personifications make nature feel alive and playful.
Why does the poet mention Van Dyck?
Van Dyck was a renowned painter. The poet suggests that even his art cannot fully capture the beauty of a summer’s day.
What is the effect of using dashes and capital letters in the poem?
The dashes slow the rhythm and add emphasis. Capital letters give special significance to common nouns, personifying them.

Three-Mark Questions

How does Dickinson create a musical atmosphere in the poem?
She uses sound-related imagery like “psalteries of summer” and refers to chirping birds and gossiping creatures. The use of musical instruments (like psaltery) suggests a symphony created by nature. Alliteration and rhythmic phrasing enhance the sound quality. Even the movement of trees and opening of flowers contribute to this harmony. This shows Dickinson’s ability to turn natural scenes into lyrical experiences.
Discuss the use of personification in the poem.
Dickinson personifies natural elements to make them vivid and relatable. The sun is described as having moods and estates, flowers behave like flags, and trees move with intention. These choices create a living, breathing portrait of nature. They reflect the poet’s belief that nature is deeply spiritual. This technique also bridges the gap between the human and the natural world.
How does the poem reflect Emily Dickinson’s unique style?
The poem features her signature use of dashes, unconventional punctuation, and capitalisation. She avoids traditional rhyme schemes and structures. Her language is lyrical yet compressed, requiring active interpretation. Imagery is unexpected—like comparing flowers to “hindered flags.” Overall, it reflects her solitary and intensely imaginative view of nature.

Value-Based Question

Q: What does the poem teach us about appreciating everyday natural beauty?

The poem encourages us to observe nature with wonder and attentiveness. Trees, flowers, birds, and even the sun have their own stories and movements. Dickinson shows that real beauty lies not in grand monuments or famous paintings but in the quiet, often unnoticed moments in nature. To truly see such beauty requires humility and an open heart. The poem teaches us that deep awareness of nature can be both artistic and spiritual.

End

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