CBSE Class 11 English Chapter 10: 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, Chapter 10, "Felling of the Banyan Tree" delves into the poem's poignant critique of nature's destruction. It explores the poet's keen observations and emotional response to the felling of a majestic banyan tree. The analysis unpacks the father's pragmatic yet harsh approach, contrasting it with the grandmother's reverence for trees, rooted in Hindu mythology. The poem's central theme of nature's resilience and sacredness is examined, particularly the symbolic weight of the phrase 'grows and seethes.' The unique attributes and mythological significance of the banyan tree are highlighted, emphasizing its deep-rooted connection to life and tradition. The solutions interpret the concept of 'raw mythology' and the profound implication that the banyan's roots extend beyond human lifespans. Ultimately, the chapter addresses the contemporary issue of shifting traditions and the diminishing value of nature in modern society, offering students a comprehensive understanding of the poem's layers and themes.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	10. Felling of the Banyan Tree

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English, Chapter 10, "Felling of the Banyan Tree," offers an in-depth analysis of the poem. It focuses on identifying the poet's critical stance against tree felling, understanding the father's character, and exploring the cultural and religious significance of trees, particularly the banyan. The solutions also interpret symbolic language and connect the poem's themes to contemporary environmental concerns and the loss of traditional values. This chapter's solutions aid students in comprehending poetic devices and thematic depth.

Learning outcomes

Understand the poet's critical tone towards the felling of the banyan tree.
Analyze the character of the father as depicted in the poem.
Explain the cultural and mythological significance of trees, especially the banyan.
Interpret symbolic phrases and their deeper meanings within the poem.
Relate the poem's themes to contemporary environmental and societal concerns.
Identify poetic devices used to convey emotion and meaning.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Poetic analysis
Critical tone
Nature vs. development
Mythology and religion
Symbolism
Characterization
Environmental concerns
Cultural values
Poetic interpretation
Felling of the Banyan Tree

Important topics

Poet's critical tone towards tree felling
Symbolism of the banyan tree
Cultural and mythological significance of trees
Father's character and actions
Contemporary relevance of environmental themes

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Questions and Solutions

Understanding the Poem

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

Solution: The poet expresses a critical tone towards the felling of the banyan tree through several poignant lines. These include descriptions of the tree's physical destruction, such as "Its scraggy aerial roots fell to the ground" and "Sawing them off for seven days and the heap was huge." The impact on nature is highlighted with "Insects and birds began to leave the tree." The sheer scale of the effort to destroy it is emphasized by "Fifty men with axes chopped and chopped." Finally, the poet's own emotional response is captured in the stark observation, "We watched in terror and fascination this slaughter," which clearly conveys a sense of horror and disapproval at the act.

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

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

Solution: The poem provides insights into the poet's father's nature through specific descriptions. He is portrayed as a highly practical and action-oriented individual, driven by necessity rather than sentiment. Phrases like "the structures were demolished" and "but he massacred them all" suggest a decisive and perhaps ruthless approach to clearing the property, possibly due to the family's relocation to Baroda. The direct command, "My father ordered it to be removed," further emphasizes his authoritative and pragmatic nature, indicating a focus on execution over emotional consideration for the trees.

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

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

Solution: By quoting his grandmother, the poet implies the deep-rooted cultural and religious significance that trees, particularly the banyan, hold in traditional Indian society and Hindu mythology. Trees like the sheoga, oudumber, neem, and especially the banyan are considered sacred and are often associated with deities and spiritual practices. The grandmother's statement reflects the beliefs of older generations who revered these trees and considered harming them a sin, often associated with ill fortune. The poet uses this line to highlight the contrast between traditional reverence for nature and the modern, pragmatic approach that leads to the tree's destruction.

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

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 personify the banyan tree's enduring presence and the poet's emotional response to its destruction. Even though the physical tree has been cut down, its memory and significance continue to 'grow' within the poet's dreams. The word 'seethes' suggests a powerful, simmering emotion – perhaps anguish, anger, or a potent sense of loss – that the tree's memory evokes. It implies that the tree's spirit or the trauma of its felling continues to exist intensely in the poet's subconscious, even after its physical demise.

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

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 stands out due to its immense size, age, and profound mythological and cultural significance. The poet highlights details such as its "huge figure" and the revelation of its "rings of two hundred years," emphasizing its ancient existence. The unique characteristic of its "aerial roots dangling from above to reach out to the ground" is noted, symbolizing its deep connection to the earth and its long history. The poem also mentions its sacred status in Hindu mythology, akin to Krishna's declaration in the Bhagavad Gita, and its association with significant events like Buddha's enlightenment. The sheer effort required to fell such a tree, witnessed with "terror and fascination," underscores its formidable presence and the gravity of its destruction, making it seem like a piece of living mythology.

What does the reference to raw mythology imply?

What does the reference to raw mythology imply?

Solution: The reference to "raw mythology" implies that the banyan tree, in its ancient grandeur and the act of its felling, revealed something primal, mysterious, and deeply significant, akin to ancient myths. When the tree was cut down, it felt as if layers of history, hidden knowledge, and the very essence of ancient beliefs were being uncovered. The tree, having witnessed ages, was seen as holding profound wisdom. Its destruction was not just the end of a tree but the shattering of a living monument that embodied centuries of stories, secrets, and perhaps even answers to fundamental questions, making its demise feel like the unveiling of a sacred, ancient narrative.

'Whose roots lay deeper than our lives' – what aspect of human behaviour does this line reflect?

'Whose roots lay deeper than our lives' – what aspect of human behaviour does this line reflect?

Solution: This line reflects the profound contrast between the immense, enduring lifespan of the banyan tree and the comparatively short existence of human life. It highlights human mortality and the transient nature of our lives against the backdrop of nature's ancient continuity. The banyan, potentially living for centuries or even millennia, witnesses the rise and fall of human generations. The line evokes a sense of human bewilderment and insignificance when confronted with such ancient, powerful natural entities. It subtly comments on human behavior by showing how we often fail to appreciate or comprehend the deep, long-term existence and significance of nature compared to our fleeting presence.

Comment on the contemporary concern that the poem echoes.

Comment on the contemporary concern that the poem echoes.

Solution: The poem echoes a significant contemporary concern regarding the erosion of traditional values and the diminishing respect for nature in the face of modernization. It highlights how modern lifestyles and scientific perspectives often overshadow the cultural, religious, and emotional significance that trees and nature once held. The poem suggests that in our fast-paced, development-focused world, the deep-seated values and reverence for the natural environment, passed down through generations, are being neglected. This leads to a disconnect from nature and a loss of the wisdom and spiritual connection it offers, reflecting a broader societal trend of prioritizing progress over preservation and tradition.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting the father's actions as solely practical without acknowledging the destructive aspect.
Overlooking the cultural and religious context of trees in Hindu mythology.
Failing to grasp the symbolic meaning of phrases like 'grows and seethes'.
Not connecting the poem's narrative to broader environmental issues.

Revision tips

Reread the poem, highlighting lines that express the poet's critical tone.
Create a character sketch of the father based on the poem's descriptions.
Research the mythological significance of the banyan tree to enhance understanding.
Discuss the poem's contemporary relevance with peers.
Summarize the main themes and symbols in your own words.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the primary emotion conveyed by the poet towards the felling of the banyan tree?

Q2. How is the poet's father characterized in the poem?

Q3. According to the grandmother's saying, what is the status of trees like the banyan?

Q4. The phrase 'grows and seethes' in the context of the banyan tree in dreams suggests:

Q5. What does the banyan tree's longevity, symbolized by its roots, represent in contrast to human life?

Frequently asked questions

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

The main theme is the poet's critical and sorrowful response to the destruction of nature, specifically the felling of a large banyan tree, contrasting its sacredness and longevity with human actions and modern indifference.

How does the poem portray the father's role?

The father is depicted as a practical and decisive individual who orders the removal of the tree, seemingly without emotional attachment, representing a force of action that disregards the tree's significance.

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

The banyan tree symbolizes longevity, sacredness, and deep-rooted cultural and mythological importance. Its destruction represents a loss of heritage and a disregard for nature's value.

What does the line 'Trees are sacred my grandmother used to say' imply?

This line implies the deep-rooted cultural and religious beliefs in Hinduism that consider certain trees, like the banyan, as sacred and worthy of reverence, a belief that is contrasted with the father's practical decision.

How does the poem connect to contemporary issues?

The poem echoes contemporary concerns about the rapid pace of modernization, the erosion of traditional values, and the increasing disregard for nature's importance in the face of development and busy lifestyles.

What is the meaning of 'grows and seethes' when referring to the tree in dreams?

The phrase suggests that the tree, though physically destroyed, continues to exist in the poet's subconscious, 'growing' in memory and 'seething' with a sense of anguish or anger over its felling.

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