Introduction: “The Trees Are Down” by Charlotte Mew
“The Trees Are Down” by Charlotte Mew was first published in 1917, as part of her collection titled “The Farmer’s Bride.” This poignant poem captures the stark beauty and devastation of nature as it explores themes of loss, change, and human intervention. Mew’s skillful use of imagery and symbolism vividly portrays the aftermath of trees being felled, juxtaposing the brutality of their destruction with the delicate resilience of nature. The poem not only serves as a commentary on the impact of human progress on the environment but also delves into deeper themes of mortality and the inevitable passage of time. Mew’s evocative language and haunting imagery linger in the reader’s mind, inviting contemplation on the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world.
Text: “The Trees Are Down” by Charlotte Mew
—and he cried with a loud voice:
Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees—
(Revelation)
They are cutting down the great plane-trees at the end of the gardens.
For days there has been the grate of the saw, the swish of the branches as they fall,
The crash of the trunks, the rustle of trodden leaves,
With the ‘Whoops’ and the ‘Whoas,’ the loud common talk, the loud common laughs of the men, above it all.
I remember one evening of a long past Spring
Turning in at a gate, getting out of a cart, and finding a large dead rat in the mud of the drive.
I remember thinking: alive or dead, a rat was a god-forsaken thing,
But at least, in May, that even a rat should be alive.
The week’s work here is as good as done. There is just one bough
On the roped bole, in the fine grey rain,
Green and high
And lonely against the sky.
(Down now!—)
And but for that,
If an old dead rat
Did once, for a moment, unmake the Spring, I might never have thought of him again.
It is not for a moment the Spring is unmade to-day;
These were great trees, it was in them from root to stem:
When the men with the ‘Whoops’ and the ‘Whoas’ have carted the whole of the whispering loveliness away
Half the Spring, for me, will have gone with them.
It is going now, and my heart has been struck with the hearts of the planes;
Half my life it has beat with these, in the sun, in the rains,
In the March wind, the May breeze,
In the great gales that came over to them across the roofs from the great seas.
There was only a quiet rain when they were dying;
They must have heard the sparrows flying,
And the small creeping creatures in the earth where they were lying—
But I, all day, I heard an angel crying:
‘Hurt not the trees.’
Annotations: “The Trees Are Down” by Charlotte Mew
| Stanza | Annotation |
| 1 | – Quotes a passage from the Book of Revelation (8:7) emphasizing the importance of protecting nature. – Introduces the scene: the felling of great plane trees at the end of a garden. – Details the sounds associated with the destruction: sawing, crashing, rustling leaves, and the voices of the workmen. |
| 2 | – Shifts to a memory from a past spring, triggered by the sight of the destruction. – Describes finding a dead rat, emphasizing the bleakness of death. – Expresses a belief that even a creature like a rat deserves to live during the beauty of spring. |
| 3 | – Focuses on the lone remaining bough, green and high, amidst the destruction. – The parenthetical “(Down now!)” hints at the imminent felling of the last bough. – The speaker connects the dead rat from the memory to the dying tree, suggesting a shared sense of loss. |
| 4 | – Argues that the destruction is more profound than a momentary disruption of spring. – Highlights the grandeur of the trees, with life pulsing from root to stem. – Predicts that with the removal of the trees, half the beauty of spring will be lost for the speaker. |
| 5 | – Creates a strong emotional connection between the speaker and the trees. – Describes the speaker’s heart being “struck” with the trees, suggesting shared pain. – Personifies the trees, implying a sense of shared life experiences with the wind, rain, and gales. |
| 6 | – Creates a contrast between the peaceful rain during the trees’ death and the violent act of felling them. – Suggests the trees’ awareness of the natural world around them (sparrows, small creatures). – The speaker hears an “angel crying,” a powerful image representing a deep violation of a divine command (protecting trees). |
Literary and Poetic Devices: “The Trees Are Down” by Charlotte Mew
| Literary/Poetic Device | Example from the Poem |
| Alliteration | They must have heard the sparrows flying |
| Allusion | “(REVELATION)” |
| Assonance | “green and high / And lonely against the sky” |
| Consonance | “loud common talk, the loud common laughs” |
| Enjambment | “The week’s work here is as good as done. There is just one bough / On the roped bole, in the fine grey rain,” |
| Imagery | “large dead rat in the mud of the drive,” “Green and high / And lonely against the sky,” “I heard an angel crying” |
| Metaphor | “Half my life it has beat with these, in the sun, in the rains,” |
| Onomatopoeia | “the crash of the trunks, the rustle of trodden leaves,” “the ‘Whoops’ and the ‘Whoas’” |
| Personification | “my heart has been struck with the hearts of the planes” |
| Repetition | “‘Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees—’” |
| Rhyme | “drive” / “alive” |
| Simile | “the loud common laughs of the men, above it all” |
| Symbolism | “large dead rat” symbolizing death and decay |
| Allegory | The cutting down of trees as a metaphor for the destruction of nature by humans |
| Tone | The tone of lamentation and mourning |
| Hyperbole | “I remember thinking: alive or dead, a rat was a god-forsaken thing,” |
| Irony | The juxtaposition of the destruction of trees with the season of Spring, traditionally associated with renewal and life |
| Paradox | “Half the Spring, for me, will have gone with them” |
| Oxymoron | “loud common talk” |
| Synecdoche | “Half my life it has beat with these, in the sun, in the rains” – referring to the trees representing nature itself |
Themes: “The Trees Are Down” by Charlotte Mew
- Human Impact on Nature: One of the central themes of the poem is the destructive impact of human intervention on the natural world. The cutting down of the great plane-trees symbolizes the relentless destruction of nature in the name of progress. The speaker mourns the loss of these trees, lamenting that “Half the Spring” will be gone with them, highlighting the irreversible damage inflicted upon the environment by human actions.
- Mortality and Impermanence: Another prominent theme in the poem is the inevitability of death and the transient nature of life. The imagery of the dead rat and the felled trees serves as a reminder of the impermanence of existence. Despite their once vibrant and vital presence, both the rat and the trees succumb to death, emphasizing the fragility of life and the fleetingness of earthly beauty.
- Connection to Nature: Mew explores the deep emotional connection between humans and the natural world. The speaker’s profound bond with the trees is palpable as they reflect on the shared experiences they’ve had with the trees over the years. The trees have been a constant presence throughout the speaker’s life, providing solace and companionship in various seasons and weather conditions. This theme underscores the interconnectedness of all living beings and the intrinsic value of nature in enriching human lives.
- Ecological Awareness and Advocacy: Through the poem, Mew advocates for environmental stewardship and raises awareness about the importance of preserving nature. The speaker’s plea to “Hurt not the trees” echoes the sentiment of environmental conservation and the urgent need to protect and cherish the natural world. By portraying the devastating consequences of the trees’ destruction, Mew emphasizes the crucial role that humans play in safeguarding the environment for future generations.
Literary Theories and “The Trees Are Down” by Charlotte Mew
| Literary Theory | Analysis |
| Formalism | – Focuses on the poem’s structure and sound devices. – The use of free verse allows for a natural flow of emotions. – Repetition of sounds like “wh” and “sh” in stanza 1 mimics the sounds of destruction. – The parenthetical statement “(Down now!)” creates a sense of urgency and foreshadowing. |
| Imagism | – Vivid imagery is used to evoke emotions and connect the reader to the speaker’s experience. – The sight of the dead rat in spring (stanza 2) creates a stark contrast to the beauty of the season. – The image of the single green bough against the grey sky (stanza 3) emphasizes the devastation. – The personification of the trees (stanza 5) allows the reader to feel their presence and loss. |
| Symbolism | – The trees symbolize life, nature’s beauty, and the connection between the speaker and the natural world. – The dead rat symbolizes death, decay, and the disruption of the natural order. – The angel crying (stanza 6) symbolizes a violation of a divine command to protect nature. |
| Ecocriticism | – The poem highlights the environmental destruction caused by cutting down the trees. – The speaker’s emotional response emphasizes the value of nature and the loss of its beauty. – The poem critiques human actions that disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem. |
| Feminism | – A feminist reading could explore the speaker’s powerlessness in the face of the destruction. – The “loud common talk” and “laughs” of the men (stanza 1) might represent a patriarchal dominance over nature. – The speaker’s connection to the natural world (trees) could be seen as a form of feminine connection to the earth. |
Topics, Questions and Thesis Statements: “The Trees Are Down” by Charlotte Mew
| Topic | Question | Thesis Statement |
| Loss and Grief | How does the speaker experience loss and grief in the poem? | The speaker’s deep connection to the fallen trees creates a profound sense of loss and grief, reflecting a personal violation and a disruption of the natural order. |
| Human Impact on Nature | How does the poem portray the human impact on nature? | The felling of the trees symbolizes a destructive and disrespectful human action, highlighting the loss of beauty and the violation of a divine command to protect nature. |
| Memory and the Power of the Past | How does memory function in the poem? | The memory of the dead rat is triggered by the destruction, suggesting a link between personal experiences and the larger themes of death and loss in connection to nature. |
| Connection to the Natural World | How does the poem explore the speaker’s connection to the natural world? | The speaker’s emotional response, personification of the trees, and shared experiences with the wind and rain illustrate a deep and personal connection to the natural world. |
Short Questions/Answers about “The Trees Are Down” by Charlotte Mew
- What is the central event in “The Trees Are Down”? The central event in “The Trees Are Down” is the cutting down of the great plane-trees. This act of destruction serves as the focal point of the poem, symbolizing the broader theme of human impact on nature. For example, the poem describes the sounds of “the grate of the saw, the swish of the branches as they fall,” vividly portraying the process of the trees being felled.
- How does the speaker react to the loss of the trees? The speaker reacts with profound sadness and mourning to the loss of the trees. The speaker’s emotional response is evident in lines such as “Half the Spring, for me, will have gone with them,” conveying the deep connection between the speaker and the trees. This reaction underscores the significance of the trees in the speaker’s life and highlights the devastating impact of their destruction on both the natural environment and the speaker’s personal world.
- What themes does “The Trees Are Down” explore? “The Trees Are Down” explores themes of human intervention in nature, mortality, the connection between humans and the natural world, and ecological awareness. These themes are woven throughout the poem, reflecting on the consequences of human actions on the environment and the intricate relationship between humanity and nature. For instance, the poem delves into the irreversible damage caused by the cutting down of the trees and advocates for environmental stewardship through the speaker’s plea to “Hurt not the trees.”
- What literary devices are used in “The Trees Are Down”? “The Trees Are Down” employs various literary devices, including imagery, symbolism, metaphor, and personification, to convey its themes effectively. For example, the image of the “large dead rat in the mud of the drive” serves as a powerful symbol of mortality and decay, while the personification of the speaker’s heart being “struck with the hearts of the planes” emphasizes the deep emotional connection between the speaker and the trees. These literary devices enrich the poem, adding layers of meaning and depth to its exploration of human-nature relationships.
Literary Works Similar to “The Trees Are Down” by Charlotte Mew
- “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot: Like Mew’s poem, Eliot’s modernist masterpiece delves into the disillusionment of the modern world and the desolation of nature. It explores themes of fragmentation, decay, and the loss of spiritual values in a rapidly changing society.
- “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost: This poem reflects on the beauty of nature and the transient moments of life. It shares a sense of melancholy and contemplation with Mew’s work, as both poets meditate on the passage of time and the mysteries of existence.
- “Mowing” by Robert Frost: Another poem by Frost that resonates with themes of nature and human interaction with the environment. It explores the act of mowing grass and the impact it has on the speaker’s perception of life and mortality.
- “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost: While not directly related to nature’s destruction, this poem explores themes of choice, regret, and the passage of time. It shares a contemplative tone with Mew’s work and invites readers to reflect on the paths they take in life.
- “The Darkling Thrush” by Thomas Hardy: This poem captures the melancholy of winter and the hope for renewal. It reflects on the contrast between the bleakness of the natural world and the resilience of life, echoing some of the sentiments found in “The Trees Are Down.”
Suggested Readings for Further Analysis of “The Trees Are Down” by Charlotte Mew
Sources
- Mew, Charlotte. Selected poems. Carcanet, 2012.
- Wisker, Gina. “Charlotte Mew 1869-1928.” Modern British Women Writers: 236.
- Ahmed, Hawzhen Rashadaddin. “From Anthropocentrism to Ecocide: Charlotte Mew’s ‘The Trees Are Down’and Tal’at Tahir’s ‘Ghadri Nooh’.”
- Falkenberg, Betty. “Charlotte Mew in America.” PN Review 32.2 (2005): 36.
- Rice, Nelljean McConeghey. A new matrix for modernism: A study of the lives and poetry of Charlotte Mew and Anna Wickham. University of South Carolina, 1997.
Websites
- The Poetry Foundation https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/charlotte-mew offers biography, poems, and critical essays on Charlotte Mew.
- The Modernist Journals Project https://modjourn.org/ provides access to digitized modernist journals, which you might find helpful for contextualizing the poem within the literary movement.
Representative Quotes from “The Trees Are Down” by Charlotte Mew
| Quote | Context | Theorization |
| “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees—” | Alludes to a passage from the Book of Revelation, serving as a plea to preserve nature from harm. | The use of biblical imagery emphasizes the sacredness of the natural world and underscores humanity’s moral responsibility to protect it. |
| “If an old dead rat / Did once, for a moment, unmake the Spring, I might never have thought of him again.” | Reflects on encountering a dead rat and how it briefly disrupted the speaker’s perception of spring’s vitality. | Suggests that seemingly insignificant events can provoke profound contemplation and change, highlighting the interconnectedness of life and nature. |
| “Half the Spring, for me, will have gone with them.” | Laments the impending loss of the trees and the impact it will have on the speaker’s experience of spring. | Emphasizes the profound sense of grief and emptiness accompanying the destruction of nature, conveying the interconnectedness between the natural world and human emotions. |
| “Half my life it has beat with these, in the sun, in the rains,” | Reflects on the enduring connection between the speaker and the trees throughout their life’s experiences. | Highlights the deep emotional bond between the speaker and nature, portraying trees as companions shaping the speaker’s life and memories. |
| “But I, all day, I heard an angel crying: / ‘Hurt not the trees.'” | Imagines hearing an angelic voice pleading for the protection of the trees, reflecting the speaker’s internal conflict and anguish over their destruction. | Reinforces the poem’s theme of environmental stewardship and empathy towards nature, portraying trees as sentient beings deserving of compassion and respect. |