Notes Class 11 Chapter 2.1 Yuvakbharati English Maharashtra Board

Cherry Tree

Introduction

“Cherry Tree” by Ruskin Bond is a narrative poem about planting a cherry seed and its eight-year growth. It explores nature’s beauty, resilience, and the joy of nurturing.

About the Poet

• Born: 1934, Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh.
• Works: Short stories, essays, novellas, over 30 children’s books.
• Famous Novel: The Room on the Roof (won John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize, 1957).
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award (1992), Padmashri (1999).
• Residence: Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.

Themes

1. Love for Nature: Joy in nurturing the tree.
2. Resilience: Tree survives challenges.
3. Joy of Nurturing: Fulfillment from growth.
4. Cycle of Life: Seasons and growth stages.

Structure

• Type: Narrative poem.
• Stanzas: Free verse, no rhyme.
• Time Span: Eight years.
• Tone: Reflective, joyful.

Poetic Devices

1. Imagery: “Pink, fragile, quick to fall” (blossoms).
2. Alliteration: “Fresh fierce lust.”
3. Personification: “Young tree struggle, upward thrust.”
4. Climax: “Pink, fragile, quick to fall.”
5. Antithesis: “Thinner, rather poor, but richer by a cherry tree.”
6. Symbolism: Tree represents resilience.

Key Points

1. Poet’s Action: Planted seed, forgot it.
2. Tree’s Growth: Small tree by May, survived threats, grew six feet.
3. Challenges: Goats, scythe, blight.
4. Achievements: One cherry, pink blossoms.
5. Poet’s Joy: Felt richer, praised nature.

Beneficiaries

• Poet: Finds joy.
• Birds: Fly in branches.
• Bees: Drink nectar.
• Nature: Adds beauty.

Brainstorming Answers

(A1) Proof

1. Seasons: “Summer near the end of May,” “Next spring.”
2. Observations: “Five months child,” “Six feet high.”
3. Colour Imagery: “Pink,” “dappled green,” “blue blind sky.”
4. Struggle: “Goats ate leaves,” “monsoon blight shriveled.”

(A2) Reasons/Consequences

1. Threatened: Goats, scythe, blight slowed growth; tree survived.
2. Blossomed: Resilience led to beauty, joy.

(A3) Nature’s Beauty

• “Pink, fragile, quick to fall.”
• “Dappled green.”
• “Blue blind sky.”

Vocabulary

• Scythe: Tool to cut grass.
• Blight: Plant disease.
• Shrivelled: Dried.
• Thrust: Pushed.
• Fierce: Strong.
• Blossoms: Tree flowers.
• Dappled: Light/dark patches.
• Ecstasy: Happiness.
• Nectar: Flower liquid.

Moral

• Resilience: Overcome challenges.
• Nurturing: Small actions bring rewards.
• Nature: Value its beauty.

Comparison with The Call of the Soil

• Similarity: Joy in nurturing (tree vs. crops).
• Difference: Personal (poem) vs. sustainable farming (prose).

Appreciation

• Title: Cherry Tree, symbolizes growth.
• Theme: Nature, resilience.
• Style: Free verse, imagery, alliteration.
• Features: Narrative, vivid observations.
• Message: Small actions matter.
• Opinion: Inspiring, celebrates nature.