RBSE Solutions Class 12 English Prudence Poetry Chapter 6 Trees

RBSE Class 12 English Prudence Poetry Chapter 6 Textual Questions

Question 1. Choose the correct alternative:
(a) "There seemed to rise a Tune ........." From where do you feel it seems to rise the tune?
(i) sea-side
(ii) trees
(iii) colonies
(iv) school
Answer: (ii) trees
In simple words: The poet suggests the tune appears to come from the trees. This shows how nature often inspires beautiful sounds and feelings.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering questions based on quotes from a poem, always refer back to the context provided in the poem to ensure accuracy.

Question 1. (b) "To let the orchards grow............" What do you understand by orchards?
Answer: An orchard is a piece of land where fruit trees are grown. These trees are cared for so they can produce fruits like apples, oranges, or mangoes.
In simple words: An orchard is like a garden where many fruit trees are planted.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to words or phrases that might be unfamiliar and look for their definitions within the surrounding text or your knowledge of the topic.

2. Answer the following questions in 15-20 words each:

Question (a) Enamoring the ear........ what enamores the ear?
Answer: As the sun rises, tiny creatures like bees and gnats come out. The soft sounds of their movements are like music, which makes the ear happy. These gentle sounds create a peaceful morning atmosphere.
In simple words: The tiny sounds of bees and gnats moving at sunrise make the ear happy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on identifying the key subjects and their actions described in the poem that relate to sensory experiences like hearing.

Question (b) "The sun shone whole at intervals Then half-then utter hid” What do you understand about the sun here?
Answer: Here, the sun is shown like a playful king who appears and disappears behind the clouds whenever it wishes. It helps the orchards grow by providing sunlight, showing its powerful but gentle influence. The sun's movement makes the scene very dynamic.
In simple words: The sun is like a playful king, hiding and showing itself behind clouds to help plants grow.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to interpret a line, look for personification or metaphors used by the poet to describe inanimate objects.

Question (c) Why is the bird careless on the fence?
Answer: The bird on the fence is relaxed and enjoying the warm morning sun. It feels carefree because it is resting in the gentle warmth, without any worries. The morning sun provides a sense of peace and comfort.
In simple words: The bird is careless on the fence because it is relaxing and enjoying the warm morning sun.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify descriptive words that reveal the character's mood or state, such as "careless" and connect them to the surrounding environment.

Question (d) On silver matters charmed a snake What does the snake symbolize?
Answer: In poetry, a snake often symbolizes mystery, nature's hidden movements, or sometimes even temptation or rebirth. In this context, it could represent the quiet, often overlooked, presence of wildlife in nature. Its winding movement on 'silver matters' could suggest the glistening surface of a stream or a smooth stone, adding to the poem's detailed natural imagery.
In simple words: The snake can represent the mysterious, quiet parts of nature or hidden life.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a symbol is presented, think about its common interpretations in literature and how it fits the overall theme of the poem.

Question (e) "Bright flowers slit a calyx..........” Interpret the line in your own words.
Answer: This line describes how flowers bloom in the morning. Their colorful petals push through their green outer covering, called a calyx, and then open up. As they open, they release their sweet smell into the air, making the morning vibrant and fragrant. The splitting of the calyx is a natural part of a flower's growth.
In simple words: This line means that bright flowers open up, pushing their colorful petals out from their green outer part and spreading their smell.

🎯 Exam Tip: Break down complex imagery into simpler actions (e.g., "slit a calyx" means "opened from its green covering") to understand the core meaning.

3. Answer the following questions in 50 words each:

Question (a) What do you understand by the psalteries of summer?
Answer: "Psalteries of summer" refers to the various pleasant sounds made by nature during the summer mornings. These sounds come from trees rustling, bees buzzing, and gnats flying around as the sun rises. The poet compares these natural noises to religious songs played on a psaltery because they sound soothing and harmonious. This imagery highlights the beautiful symphony of summer.
In simple words: "Psalteries of summer" means the beautiful, calming sounds of nature in summer mornings, like buzzing bees and rustling trees.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand that "psalteries" here is used metaphorically to describe natural sounds as musical and divine, not literal instruments.

Question (b) How would you explain the image of the “Hindered Flags”?
Answer: The image of “Hindered Flags” describes how flower buds open. Just like a folded flag unfurls and spreads out when it is hoisted, the petals of a flower bud push out from their calyx (outer covering) and blossom. These flowers then wave gently on their stems, similar to how flags wave on poles. This comparison vividly portrays the slow and grand opening of flowers. The term "hindered" suggests they were held back before their grand reveal.
In simple words: “Hindered Flags” describe flower buds opening up, like folded flags spreading out when they are raised.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining an image, clearly state both parts of the comparison (what is being compared to what) and why it's a good comparison.

Question (d) Discuss the central idea of the poem.
Answer: The central idea of Emily Dickinson's poem "Trees" is to celebrate a peaceful summer day by describing nature's small details. It paints a picture of morning breezes, the sun appearing through clouds, the soothing sounds of small creatures, and blooming flowers filling the air with fragrance. The poem shows how beautiful and full of life nature is, especially in summer, focusing on the calm beauty of simple natural events.
In simple words: The poem shows how lovely and lively a summer day in nature is by focusing on small, peaceful details like wind, sun, and flowers.

🎯 Exam Tip: To discuss the central idea, summarize the main themes and descriptions presented in the poem, highlighting its overall message.

4. Answer the following questions in 100 words each:

Question (a) What imagery does the poet use to delineate summer's day more picturesquely?
Answer: The poet uses rich and varied imagery to make a summer day very vivid. She describes the wind playing through the leaves and branches, comparing them to tassels, which creates a dynamic visual. The sounds of tiny creatures are depicted as "summer psalteries," making the day feel musical. She also personifies the sun as a "whimsical monarch" who appears and disappears behind clouds to help orchards grow, adding a touch of magic. Further, she includes birds sitting carelessly and gossiping, and a snake winding around a stone for warmth. Finally, the image of flower buds splitting open like "hindered flags" blooming into flowers completes this beautiful and lively picture of a summer day. All these details combine to create a truly picturesque scene.
In simple words: The poet uses many pictures, like wind in leaves, insect sounds, the sun acting like a playful king, lazy birds, and blooming flowers, to paint a lively picture of a summer day.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about imagery, list specific examples from the poem and explain how each image contributes to the overall description or mood.

Question (b) Give examples from the poem to show that great poetry is a result of close observation of natural phenomena.
Answer: Emily Dickinson's "Trees" demonstrates that great poetry comes from observing nature closely. For instance, she notices how branches and leaves wave in the summer breeze, creating a gentle movement. She hears the delicate "humming tunes" of tiny creatures like bees and gnats at sunrise, which many might overlook. The poem describes the sun appearing and disappearing behind thick clouds, a common sight but one she renders poetically. She also observes birds sitting carelessly on a fence or chirping in the lanes, and a snake quietly winding around a stone to soak in warmth. Lastly, the detailed description of flower buds splitting open their calyxes and blossoming into flowers showcases her sharp eye for natural processes. These specific examples reveal her deep connection and careful attention to the small, beautiful details of the natural world, which she then transforms into profound poetic expressions.
In simple words: The poem shows that good poetry comes from watching nature closely. Examples include leaves waving, insects humming, the sun appearing, birds resting, a snake on a stone, and flowers opening, all observed in detail.

🎯 Exam Tip: To answer this type of question, provide direct textual evidence (examples from the poem) and then briefly explain how each example shows "close observation."

RBSE Class 12 English Prudence Poetry Chapter 6 Additional Questions

RBSE Class 12 English Prudence Poetry Chapter 6 Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. How does the poet characterise the responses of some sensible and some other rude species?
Answer: The poet uses the descriptions of birds and a snake to show how different creatures respond to the pleasant summer morning. A bird sits carelessly on the fence, perhaps gossiping in the lane, showing a sensible and relaxed enjoyment of the weather. Another bird is described as "gossiping," suggesting a social, human-like activity. Meanwhile, a snake, often seen as a rude or frightening creature, is charmed by "silver matters," winding around a stone to warm itself. This illustrates how all creatures, in their own ways, participate in the day's natural rhythm and find comfort in it. The characterization adds depth to the poem's portrayal of nature's diverse inhabitants.
In simple words: The poet shows how some creatures, like birds, enjoy the summer morning in a relaxed, social way, while a snake seeks warmth on a stone, each responding naturally to their environment.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for contrasting descriptions of different species and identify the specific actions or traits attributed to them that hint at their "sensible" or "rude" nature.

Question 2. In which lines are creatures attributed with human qualities? How does this add to the beauty of the summer's day?
Answer: Human qualities are given to creatures in these lines:
1. "A Bird sat careless on the fence - One gossiped in the lane." Here, the bird is described as "careless" and "gossiped," which are human traits of relaxation and social chat.
2. "On silver matters charmed a Snake just winding round a stone." The snake is "charmed," implying a human-like appreciation or fascination. This gives a sense of magic and personality to the natural world.
3. "Bright Flowers slit a Calyx." This line makes the flower seem active and purposeful in its opening, like a human revealing something.
These personifications add to the summer day's beauty by making nature seem more alive, relatable, and charming. The world becomes a place filled with conscious beings, enhancing its wonder.
In simple words: Birds are shown as careless and gossiping, and a snake is "charmed." These human qualities make the summer day more beautiful and alive.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify personification, look for verbs or adjectives usually used for humans that are applied to animals or inanimate objects.

Question 3. "They never yet did satisfy”. What is the poet referring to?
Answer: The poet is referring to the delightful sounds made by swarms of bees and gnats that appear at sunrise. The music created by their flapping wings and gentle humming is so beautiful and enchanting that it never fully satisfies the listener. Instead, it always leaves one wanting to hear more, highlighting the endless charm and magic of nature's symphony. This feeling of wanting more shows how deeply captivating these natural sounds are. The poet uses this to emphasize the mesmerizing quality of these small creatures' music.
In simple words: The poet is talking about the beautiful music created by buzzing bees and gnats at sunrise, which is so charming that one always wants to hear more.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand that "satisfy" in this context refers to the emotional and sensory fulfillment, not just a physical need. It means the experience is so good it leaves a lasting impression and a desire for more.

Question 5. Mention and explain the expressions in which the poet has made comparisons between a natural phenomenon and a human activity.
Answer: The poet makes several comparisons between natural events and human actions:
1. In "Trees like Tassels," the movement of branches and leaves swaying in the wind is compared to the decorative fringes (tassels) on clothing. This gives the trees an elegant, almost crafted appearance.
2. In "Psalteries of summer," the sounds produced by tiny creatures are likened to religious songs sung by bards (poets/musicians). This comparison elevates the natural noises to a spiritual, musical experience.
3. In "Hindered Flags," the opening of flower calyxes (buds) is compared to the unfurling of flags. This suggests a ceremonial and grand reveal, making the act of blooming feel significant and purposeful.
These comparisons enrich the poem by linking the everyday natural world to human culture and emotion, making nature feel more accessible and meaningful. They help the reader to see familiar sights in new and imaginative ways.
In simple words: The poet compares waving trees to tassels, sounds of insects to religious songs, and opening flower buds to unfurling flags. These comparisons connect nature to human experiences.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing comparisons, clearly state both elements being compared and explain the characteristic they share that makes the comparison effective.

RBSE Class 12 English Prudence Poetry Chapter 6 Long Answer Questions

Question 1. Explain how the poem, 'Trees' is purely a nature poem.
Answer: Emily Dickinson's poem "Trees" is purely a nature poem because it focuses entirely on describing the natural world and its various elements during a summer day, without delving into human emotions, societal issues, or abstract philosophies. The poem begins by illustrating the morning wind moving the branches and leaves, making them sway like tassels. As the sun rises, it details swarms of small creatures making sounds described as "morning psalteries," filling the air with natural music. The sun itself is depicted appearing and disappearing behind clouds, diligently performing its role. The poem further observes a bird resting lazily on a fence or chirping in a lane, and a snake gracefully winding around a stone. It concludes by describing how flower buds open their calyxes, blooming beautifully. Every image and action described is drawn directly from the natural environment, celebrating its simplicity, beauty, and inherent rhythm, making it a pure ode to nature. The poem doesn't introduce any human drama or complex inner feelings, staying true to its natural subject.
In simple words: The poem "Trees" is a nature poem because it only talks about nature, like wind, sun, birds, snakes, and blooming flowers on a summer day. It does not talk about people's feelings or problems, only the beauty of the natural world.

🎯 Exam Tip: To prove a poem is "purely a nature poem," list specific examples of natural elements described and explain how the poem avoids human themes, focusing only on the environment.