Maya Angelou’s ‘When Great Trees Fall’ is an elegiac meditation on mortality, fate and its lasting effect on our lives. Through her poem, Angelou uses language, images and symbols to express the idea that life is transient, but death is eternal. The poem consists of three quatrains and a final couplet, in which Angelou expounds on the fleeting nature of life and death. She uses the metaphor of a tree to illustrate this concept, describing how a tree is cut down and burned, yet its memory still remains in people’s minds.
Angelou’s lyrics are rich and complex, juxtaposing the fragility of life with the power and permanence of death. In the opening quatrain, she compares the death of a tree to the vanishing “fullness of the day”. This suggests the idea that life’s beauty is fleeting, and only death’s light lingers in the darkness. This concept is further elaborates when Angelou talks about the “cries of thrushes” and the “silence of the blast”. This contrast between sound and silence serves as a reminder of both life and death’s presence, suggesting that death’s power is more forceful than life’s.
The second quatrain of the poem focuses on the impact death has on our lives and Angelou’s feelings of helplessness. She laments how “I cry for my wounded tree” and “all I can do is shake my fist”, suggesting a sense of impotence in the face of death. Despite this grief, Angelou does not wallow in misery, but instead acknowledges that life in inevitable. Her faith provides her with consolation for this reality, as she states “though I can’t turn the laws of God, I know about its worth”.
The final quatrain of the poem then uses the symbol of the tree to illustrate the importance of legacy and memory. Angelou talks about how “the brothers and the sisters of the fallen tree, wrap in its leaves, their life’s history”. This metaphor is a reminder of our own narrative and the knowledge that we leave behind when we depart. The couplet provides the final thought of the poem, as Angelou asserts “that when great trees fall, some vital truth, we must surely recall.”
What Legacy Does Death Leave Behind?
The legacy of death and the impact it has on our lives is an important theme in Maya Angelou’s ‘When Great Trees Fall’. Angelou argues that life is transient and temporary, but death is forever. She uses the metaphor of a tree to illustrate this concept, describing how a tree is taken down, burned, and forgotten, yet its memory still reverberates in our minds and memories. Angelou uses powerful language to emphasize this idea, discussing the role grief plays in our lives and the effects of death on our legacies.
One of the most powerful images in the poem is the “cries of thrush, silence of the blast”. This contrast between sound and silence highlights the duality of life and death, suggesting that death is more forceful than life. The concept is further illustrated when Angelou talks about her own grief and helplessness In the face of death, asking “what shall I answer, when great trees call?” Despite this grief, Angelou does not give into despair but instead finds comfort in her faith, reminding herself “though I can’t turn the laws of God, I know about its worth”.
The final quatrain of the poem uses the metaphor of a tree to illustrate the importance of our own legacies. Angelou’s asserts “the brothers and the sisters of the fallen tree, wrap in its leaves, their life’s history”. This suggests the idea that even though death takes away our lives, our stories still live on in the minds and memories of those we love. The couplet of the poem provides the final thought, as Angelou reminds us “that when great trees fall, some vital truth, we must surely recall.”
What Is the “Vital Truth” Of Death?
In Maya Angelou’s ‘When Great Trees Fall’, the “vital truth” of death is an important theme. Throughout the poem, Angelou examines life’s fragility and death’s power, suggesting that life is temporary but death is eternal. She uses the metaphor of a tree to illustrate this concept, describing how a tree is cut down and burned, although its memory lives on in people’s minds. Angelou also talks about the grief we feel in the face of death and our helplessness in the grip of mortality. However, the poet ultimately finds solace in her faith and nature, recognizing the importance of life’s impermanence.
The “vital truth” of death is a recurrent image in the poem, as Angelou talks about how “I cry for my wounded tree” and “all I can do is shake my fist”. This helplessness is echoed in the third quatrain where the poet laments “what shall I answer, when great trees call”. This serves as a reminder of our own mortality, suggesting that death is unavoidable and life’s end predetermined. Despite this sadness, the poet does not remain in sorrow, but instead acknowledges the inevitability of death.
The final stanza of the poem serves as a reminder of the power of legacy and memory. Angelou says “the brothers and sister of the fallen tree, wrap in its leaves, their life’s history.” This serves as a reminder of cherished memories and the knowledge we leave behind. The last two lines of the poem then provide the “vital truth” of death, as Angelou says “that when great trees fall, some vital truth, we must surely recall.” This serves as a reminder that life is finite, but our stories still live on in people’s minds and memories.
What Is the Author’s Message About Death?
The author’s message about death is an important theme in Maya Angelou’s ‘When Great Trees Fall’. Throughout the poem, Angelou examines life’s fragility and death’s permanence, suggesting that life is transient but death is eternal. She uses the metaphor of a tree to illustrate this concept, discussing how a tree is cut down and burned, but its memory still lingers in people’s minds and memories.
Angelou talks of the grief we feel in the face of death and our helplessness in the grip of mortality. However, the poet ultimately finds solace in our faith and nature, suggesting that life’s end is predetermined and we should be grateful for life’s impermanence. She stresses the importance of legacies and memories, discussing the power of our own stories, and reminding us “that when great trees fall, some vital truth, we must surely recall.”
The author’s message is one of hope and gratitude, recognizing that death is a part of life, and we should be thankful for all we have. Angelou encourages us to remember our legacies and cherish our memories, and to find solace in nature and faith, even in the face of death. The poem serves as a comforting reminder that life is fleeting, but our stories still live on in the minds and memories of those we love.
What Is the Poem’s Central Theme?
The central theme of Maya Angelou’s ‘When Great Trees Fall’ is life and death and its effect on our lives. The poem examines the power of mortality, suggesting that while life is fragile and transient, death is eternal. Angelou uses the metaphor of a tree to illustrate this concept, discussing how a tree is cut down, burned and forgotten, but its memory still lives on in people’s minds and memories.
The poem expresses the sadness of death and our sense of helplessness in the face of mortality. However, the poet ultimately finds solace in the power of nature and faith, recognizing life’s impermanence and the importance of memories and legacies. The poem is ultimately about accepting death but cherishing life, as Angelou encourages us to be thankful for our blessings and recognize the power of our stories.
The poem serves as a reminder that life is finite, but our stories still live on in the minds and memories of those we love. Through its powerful images and symbols, Maya Angelou’s ‘When Great Trees Fall’ is an elegiac meditation on mortality, fate and its lasting effect on our lives.
