SO MANY OAKS POEM by Sujata Bhatt
About Sujata Bhatt:
Sujata Bhatt (b. 1956) grew up in Pune but emigrated with her family to the United States in 1968. She studied in the States receiving an MFA from the University of Iowa and went on to be writer-in-residence at the University of Victoria, Canada. More recently she was visiting fellow at Dickinson College, Pennsyl- vania. She currently lives with her husband and daughter in Bremen, Germany. Her first collection, Brunizem, won the Com- monwealth Poetry Prize (Asia) and the Alice Hunt Bartlett Award. Subsequent collections have been awarded a Poetry Book Soci- ety Recommendation and in 1991 she received a Cholmondeley Award.
For Bhatt, language is synonymous with the tongue, the physi- cal act of speaking. She has described Gujarati and the Indian childhood it connects her to as "the deepest layer of my iden- tity". However, English has become the language she speaks every day and which she, largely, chooses to write in. The reper- cussions of this divided heritage are explored in her work, most explicitly in 'Search for My Tongue' which alternates between the two languages. The complex status of English - its beauties and colonial implications - are also conveyed in the moving iro- nies of 'A Different History' and 'Nanabhai Bhatt in Prison' about her grandfather who read Tennyson to comfort himself during his incarceration by the British authorities. Such division finds geographical expression in poems which explore ideas of home ('The One Who Goes Away') and question our mental mapping of the world ('How Far East is it Still East?'). It's present too in her voice, with its musical melding of Indian and American in- flections.
However, it's in the non-verbal world of animals and plants that Bhatt finds a source of unity denied to humans except for the very young, as in her poem 'The Stare' in which the 'monkey child' and the 'human child' experience a moment of tender con- nection. Perhaps it is this longing for unity which makes Bhatt's writing so sensual; her poems are rich with the smell of garlic, the touch of bodies, the vibrant plumage of parrots. An intense colourist like the women artists who inspire some of these po- ems, Bhatt acknowledges that language splits us from experi- ence but through the physical intensity of her writing brings us closer to it so that "the word/is the thing itself".
The Poems of Sujata Bhatt Background: Sujata Bhatt is a well-known poet across India, America, and Europe. Being an Indian-born writer, most of her poems are pre- occupied with cultural identity. Bhatt has also written several poems touching the theme of immigration and belonging. This can be attributed to her immigration experience she witnessed when along with her family moved to the USA in 1968. One of the poems that feature the subject of immigration and belonging is "Search for My Tongue." In that poem, Bhatt explores the experiences evidenced by immigrants when they move to a new country. Immigrants face the challenges of adjusting to a new life.
Bhatt's literary work also explores the empowerment of a girl child to become a strong woman. The poet demonstrates qualities that women need to possess to become strong people in a male-dominated society. In the poem "Muliebrity," she exam- ines her thoughts concerning a poor girl who used to collect cow- dung on the streets near her home. The girl was not deterred by the bad odor of cow-dung. The statement implores that the girl was strong enough to do her thing audaciously. That poem shows that Bhatt is a writer who advocates for girl child empowerment.
In most poems, Bhatt uses personification and allegory. By doing so, she conveys ideas in a relatable manner. Additionally, she makes her audience react emotionally to non-human charac-ters. Such an example is demonstrated in the poem "Peacock" where she has personified the bird. The imagery and symbolism presented in the poem how that the poet is talking about the beauty of a certain country, possibly, India. Bhatt's poems are appealing and fascinating.
Short Type Questions & Answers:
1. Name the poet of the poem, 'So Many Oaks'.
Ans: Sujata Bhatt.
2. What relationship does the poet reflect in the poem?
Ans: The poet reflects the relationship between humanity and Nature.
3. What does 'Witch' symbolize in the second line of the poem?
Ans: 'Witch' symbolizes a destructive force.
4. How are the Oak trees, as depicted in the poem?
Ans: The Oak trees are very old (ancient).
5. How are the windows of the house located amidst the forest?
Ans: The windows of the house are very bright and clean.
6. Who lives in the house of the forest?
Ans: A woman who has lost her five sons in the war.
7. What does the speaker have in his garden?
Ans: The speaker has plum trees with red and white flowers.
8. What is the color of his hat?
Ans: The color of his hat is brown.
9. How does the poet depict the house in the forest?
Ans: The poet says that amidst the ancient oak forest, there house. The windows of the houses are very bright and clean. In that house, a woman lives alone as she has lost all her five sons in the war.
10. What does Oak tree symbolize?
Ans: Oak tree symbolizes strength, endurance, power and ancient wisdom. The oak tree's strong roots penetrate deeply into the earth, anchoring it firmly in place. Besides, an Oak forest is rich with its rich ecosystem.
11. What does 'So many oaks' suggest in the poem?
Ans: 'So many oaks' suggests that there are oak trees for a long period of time. It means the forest bears a history of its own. The poet tries to make a link with the human society and its collective responsibility.
12. 'An evil witch would kill them'- What is the "witch' here?
Ans: The witch mentioned here is an evil or destructive force which can cause serious damage to the 'holy' or sacred world.
13. Why does the poet use color symbols?
Ans: The poet uses various colors like brown, red and white. He uses these colors as symbols to show the contrast in our perception and behavior.
Long Type Questions & Answers:
1. Write the summary of the poem, 'So Many Oaks'.
Ans: The poem, 'So Many Oaks' presents the relationship between the human society and that of Nature. With the help of the ancient Oak forest, the poet Sujata Bhatt tries to present the complex human society, human behavior and its effect on our surrounding world. The ancient oak forest with its ecosystem bears much significance as it has a long history of belongingness. Belongingness gives birth to confidence and responsibility. Unfortunately, amidst such sacred objectives, there is always an evil power, a destructive force. Such witch like force always tries to demolish the deep rooted culture.
Society goes on carrying both vices and virtues in its bosom. There are war and conflicts, but at the same time there is life in it. That is why, amidst the ancient oak forest with evil forces luring here and there, there is still the clean and white windowed house where lives the mother. The woman is the mother of five martyrs, hence the embodiment of tolerance, optimism and audacity. The clean and white window signifies the rays of hope that come through it. It is the hope that still keeps the society firmly from breaking down.
Like the deep rooted Oak trees, there are also perennial values rooted in the minds of the community. These are not easy to change. The speaker with her forward mindset is not one to be attached with such values. Therefore, she wants to fly from there like the birds. But, she repents that being mammal, she does not have feathers.
Speaking about the complex human behavior, the poet further makes a contrast between willingness and capability to act according to the perception. The reactions of people towards different socio-cultural activities are different. Neither physical nor situational occasion can create hindrance to those who pursue values.
Such differences in approach among human beings are further established through the use of color symbols. The speaker says that in her garden, she has two blossoming plum trees, one red and the other white.
The plum tree itself is a symbol of hope and resilience. There is probability of shattering such hopes and it is indicated with the colors of the flowers-it may either be red or white.
OR
In the poem, the narrator is amidst a forest of oaks. These oaks symbolise long-living culture and traditions. The world is full of these oaks of tradition and anyone who dares to get rid of these oaks (traditions) is deemed as a witch (evil person). Then the narrator talks about a clean and pure house, the inside of the house is tainted by the sorrows of a mother who has lost her 5 sons.
The poem then takes a reflective approach and observes that birds are free because of their feathers, but we humans(mammals) are bound by numerous shackles on the Earth because we are not free to fly. It is a pitiful thing because narrator wants to be free from these worldly shackles.
Humans are also gifted with eyes to see and ears to hear. Nevertheless, many humans are born blind. Here, being born blind refers to those humans who are blinded by worldly shackles and refuse to see the world with a free perspective. They refuse to listen to those who are revealing the truths with a free and fresh perspective.
The narrator talks about the plum trees which have two types of fruit: red and white. The narrator owns a tree of both kinds. The colours here are symbolic of different mindsets and the narrator wants to say that she has both kinds of mindsets: the shackled-in-traditions mindset and the desire-to-fly mindset. Despite having both mindsets, the narrator wears the neutral colour of brown which helps her to blend in this world. It is a practical colour because choosing a vibrant colour might make the society consider her a witch (evil person).
2. Write a note on the significance of the title of the poem, 'So Many Oaks'.
Ans: The title, 'So many oaks' suggests that there are oak trees for a long period of time. It means the forest bears a history of its own. The poet tries to make a link with the human society and its collective responsibility.
The poem starts with an image of a forest with 'many oaks. "The ancient oak forest with its ecosystem bears much significance as it has a long history of belongingness. Belongingness gives birth to confidence and responsibility. Oak trees represent a deep and powerful symbolism that has been revered by cultures and civilizations for centuries. The oak tree, with its sturdy trunk and sprawling branches, represents strength, longevity and endurance. The acom, the fruit of the oak tree, symbolizes potential, growth and prosperity. Together, they embody the cycle of life, death and rebirth.
Oak symbolizes strength, endurance, power and ancient wisdom. The oak tree's strong roots penetrate deeply into the earth, anchoring it firmly in place. Like the backbone of the earth, its trunk rises tall and proud, branching out into a canopy of leaves that provide shelter and protection to all those beneath it. In many cultures, the oak tree is seen as a symbol of power and authority and is associated with gods and goddesses of thunder, lightning, and fertility. The poet uses the oak tree as a metaphor to highlight the distinctive character of individuals. In the first line of the poem, the speaker refers to a wide forest pace which has many trees of ancient origin. It suggests that the land being referred to is not newly forested but has been around for a long time.
3. How does the poet reflect upon the perennial values associated with the oaks rooted to the land?
Ans: The poet Sujata Bhatt compares the ancient Oak forest with that of the human society with its old values, norms, wars and conflicts. Like the deep rooted Oak trees, there are also perennial values rooted in the minds of the community. These are not easy to change. The speaker with her forward mindset is not one to be attached with such values. Therefore, she wants to fly from there like the birds. But, she repents that being mammal, she does not have feathers-
"Birds have feathers but mammals have none A pity because I would really like to fly."
Speaking about the complex human behavior, the poet further makes a contrast between willingness and capability to act according to the perception. The reactions of people towards different socio- cultural activities are different. Neither physical nor situational occasion can create hindrance to those who pursue values.
4. "In this forest we stand among ancient trees. So many oaks. Holy. An evil witch would kill them." Explain.
Ans: Oak symbolizes strength, endurance, power and ancient wisdom. The oak tree's strong roots penetrate deeply into the earth, to confidence and responsibility. Unfortunately, amidst such sacred objectives, there is always an evil power, a destructive force. Such witch like force always tries to demolish the deep rooted culture.
5. "The windows of that house are so bright, so clean- Who lives there? A woman who lost five sons in the war." What is the significance of the windows? Why does the poet mention about the woman and her dead sons?
Ans: The poet says that the ancient oak forest with its ecosystem bears much significance as it has a long history of belongingness. Belongingness gives birth to confidence and responsibility. Unfortunately, amidst such sacred objectives, there is always an evil power, a destructive force.
Society goes on carrying both vices and virtues in its bosom. There are war and conflicts, but at the same time there is life in it. That is why, amidst the ancient oak forest with evil forces luring here and there, there is still the clean and white windowed house where lives the mother. The woman is the mother of five martyrs, hence the embodiment of tolerance, optimism and audacity. The clean and white window signifies the rays of hope that come through it. It is the hope that still keeps the society firmly from breaking down.
6. "Birds have feathers but mammals have none. A pity because I would really like to fly. Human beings have eyes and ears but some are born blind or deaf."- Explain.
Ans: Like the deep rooted Oak trees, there are also perennial values rooted in the minds of the community. These are not easy to change. The speaker with her forward mindset is not one to be attached with such values. Therefore, she wants to fly from there like the birds. But, she repents that being mammal, she does not have feathers.
Speaking about the complex human behavior, the poet further makes a contrast between willingness and capability to act according to the perception. The reactions of people towards different socio-cultural activities are different. Neither physical nor situational occasion can create hindrance to those who pursue values.
There are varieties of colors in nature-but human beings have only one-brown; even there are people with color blindness, indicating our inability to see beyond our necessity.
7. "The flowers of a plum tree can be red or white. I have one of each in my garden. My hat is brown. My gloves are brown. A practical colour." What does the poet suggest through these lines?
Ans: There are differences in approach among human beings. And it is further established through the use of color symbols. The speaker says that in her garden, she has two blossoming plum trees, one red and the other white. The plum tree itself is a symbol of hope and resilience. There is probability of shattering such hopes and it is indicated with the colors of the flowers-it may either be red or white. Red is the color of love, romance and at the same time the color of blood. On the other hand, white signifies peace, purity and innocence.
8. Write a note on the use of various symbols in the poem, 'So Many Oaks'.
Ans: Throughout the poem, the poet uses lots of symbols to establish her thought. The oak itself is a very brilliant symbol signifying many aspects related to human society. Oak symbolizes strength, endurance, power and ancient wisdom. The oak tree's strong roots penetrate deeply into the earth, anchoring it firmly in place. Like the backbone of the earth, its trunk rises tall and proud, branching out into a canopy of leaves that provide shelter and protection to all those beneath it. In many cultures, the oak tree is seen as a symbol of power and authority and is associated with gods and goddesses of thunder, lightning, and fertility. The poet uses the oak tree as a metaphor to highlight the distinctive character of individuals. In the first line of the poem, the speaker refers to a wide forest pace which has many trees of ancient origin. It suggests that the land being referred to is not newly forested but has been around for a long time.
The poet also uses the symbols of window, house and the woman who lives there. Amidst the ancient oak forest with evil forces, there is still the clean and white windowed house where lives the mother. The woman is the mother of five martyrs, hence the symbol of tolerance, optimism and audacity. The clean and white window signifies the rays of hope that come through it. It is the hope that still keeps the society firmly from breaking down.
The poet uses color symbols too. The speaker of the poem says that in her garden, she has two blossoming plum trees, one red and the other white. The plum tree itself is a symbol of hope and resilience. There is probability of shattering such hopes and it is indicated with the colors of the flowers-it may either be red or white. Red is the color of love, romance and at the same time the color of blood. On the other hand, white signifies peace, purity and innocence.
Nature is also rich with varieties of colors, but human beings have only one-brown; even there are people with color blindness, indicating our inability to see beyond our necessity.
The color of the hat and the gloves is brown. Since hat and gloves protect our head and hands, it may suggest that our thought and physical labor are controlled by our typical humanly attitude. Besides, brown color also indicates its association with the use of leather, which is a 'practical' colour.
Q9. What themes does Sujata Bhatt discuss in her poetry?
Ans: Sujata Bhatt writes poetry that focuses on themes of culture (particular Indian culture), language, relationships, and women's roles; she uses a variety of poetic devices to help her express those themes. Let's look at three of Bhatt's poems to give you an idea of how this works.
Look at "A Different History," for example. It expresses the Indian culture, and it does so through allusions to a Greek god and a Hindu goddess, the extended metaphor of a book as an item worthy of respect and veneration, and a series of rhetorical questions designed to make readers think in new ways about language. Notice, too, the metaphor of the soul being cut with "a long scythe."
In "The Stinking Rose," Bhatt explores the nature of garlic, which becomes a symbol of a relationship. There are similes, metaphors, and allusions in this poem, a quotation from Shakespeare, and personification.
Finally, in "Muliebrity," Bhatt provides vivid imagery about a girl gathering cow dung. She also calls special attention to poetic devices in her desire not to use the girl as a metaphor, yet she uses her anyway to represent the power of women. You can also notice personification in this poem.
Q10. What is the writing style of Sujata Bhatt's poems?
Ans: Sujata Bhatt often writes narrative poetry in free verse, in which simple incidents are often described in an offhand, col- loquial style that initially hides their emotional significance.
Most of Sujata's Bhatt's poetry is in English, but she also uses Gujarati and has translated the work of other Gujarati poets into English. In both languages, her writing is simple and direct, almost always telling a story. The story is frequently an every-day one in which little happens on the surface, and the poet's style is almost conversational. A good example of this is when she relates,
In the morning, while Kalika combs
her seven-year-old daughter's glossy tangled hair,
she looks at her face in the mirror; red-eyed, worn out.
Kalika's emotional state is implied by the reflection she sees in the mirror, even as her focus is elsewhere. Similarly, in "Mulie- brity," the first-person narrator adopts a quiet, conversational tone to relate a story about a young girl gathering cow-dung. Nothing in particular happens, but the girl becomes a symbol of feminine power and resilience, even as the speaker claims that she is "un- willing to use her for a metaphor." The poet relies on the strength and resonance of the images she presents, which do not rely on emotive language for their power.
-00000-
Also Read:
- GU BCom 1st Sem FYUGP All Question Paper, Solved PDF's
- Access GU Alternative English (AEC) Complete Notes
![So Many Oaks Question Answers Alternative English-I (AEC) [Gauhati University FYUGP B.A/BCom/BSc 1st Sem]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOh2OSXbhDDRt-EfHB-GwErzHbyfddsHwVrdMK6YGMtHC3I4XmpFKP91xoFi23UUCbQb2itVtSaEk7hhiCWhMpU3lCn-67ObgArGELXKApk6GjLgQT8nSp0XFmZOdWfrleTl9nQ0iJzEba_0jwr8xApyFeTAu0OMEns8WSIhp49cmlOWvi1Ekmy0QYAEt/w200-h200-p-k-no-nu/1000335645.webp)