Unchopping a Tree

                                  Unchopping a Tree

Summary

       Unchopping a Tree is a persuasive disclosure written by an American writer, W.S Merwin. In this essay, the writer seems to be describing the process to be describing the process of chopping a tree but his real purpose is to show the difficulty involved in the project of unchopping a tree.

    A tree that has already been chopped down is going to be unchopped. The process begins with assembling the leaves, twigs and branches and putting them back to their respective places. While doing so, the help of ants, mice and squirrels is expected but they won't help. At the next step, the nest of birds and nets of spiders are to be repaired. It is really an impossible job because human beings do not have the same tools and materials as the nature has. For eg:- We don’t have the equipment to weave spider's web. Another problem that arises at this step is identifying the leaves of the trees. If the cut down tree has damaged the leaves of the neighboring trees of same species.  We have difficulty in identifying which leaf belongs to which tree.

     At the next step the cut down tree is to be made straight using tackle and scaffolding. While doing so, we should be careful not to damage the neighboring trees. After the bole has been hung vertically above the stump, the contents of the tree, if it was hollow inside are to be put back. Then the splinters and chips are to be collected and put back using appropriate fixative. The problem that arises at this stage is the chips and splinters are badly twisted and do not fit into their respective places. Moreover, the man made glue is not as effective as the natural one. If the tree has been cut down with a saw, the saw dust is to be collected and put back. Unfortunately, it is likely to be mixed up with the soil in rainy season. It posses a serious obstacle in the process.

     After the tree stands on it own the tackle, scaffolding and other supports are to be removed one by one. Now the tree stands on its own but it is not as beautiful and strong as the natural tree. A slight blow of breeze can damage the tree entirely.

     In this essay, the writer seems to be giving directions to unchop a tree. However, the main purpose of the writer is to show the level of difficulty involved in unchopping a tree. By showing that unchopping a tree is not only difficult but entirely impossible, the writer is indirectly persuading us not to cut down the trees.

Questions

1.   What does the essay "Unchopping a Tree" suggest about conservation?

   The essay "Unchopping a Tree" by showing the impossibility of restoring once cut down trees, makes people aware of the fact that we should not destroy the natural forest indiscriminately. Even if by hook or crook, you are able to make the tree stand, you can't infuse life on it. It is easy to chop but impossible to restore. Thus before we chop we must know how to unchop, which is impossible. To sum up, he warns us against deforestation. If the acts are not stopped on time, it is going to boomerang on us in the long run.

2.   How is the chopping down of trees compared to a man's life in the poem 'The Poplar Field'?

   The poet thinks that he will die one day. He says that all the pleasures of man are destroyed. Even our life is short but our enjoyment will die before our enjoyment will die before our death. He says that he is lying on the death like the tree. He feels that cutting down of trees is serious as the death of human beings. The poet thinks that the pleasures of man are perishable and momentary. So he appeals to the people for conserving the nature. He says that deforestation should be stopped.