When Great Trees Fall
~ Maya Angelou (1928-2014)
Rhyme Scheme- Free Verse; Not in a specific rhyme scheme
Summary- The poet talks about what happens to one's life when their loved ones pass
away.
(compare with symbolisms)
● When a special one passes away-The poet says that when an old, big tree uproots
and falls, the Earth trembles and causes even the massive rocks to shudder.
● How the world reacts- The fearless animals like the lions also hide behind the tall
grass. Even the mighty elephants run in search of safer places. The smaller animals and
insects hide and remain quiet. Their sense organs stop working due to the intense fear.
● When a special one passes away(Symbolism)- Then she talks of the death of great
men. When such souls depart, it becomes difficult for us to breathe. Our senses cannot
work. Our vision is unclear and we realize the pain of such loss. We are reminded of the
kindness of these souls, the unfulfilled promises which we will not be able to fulfill.
● The part of our life which is attached to these souls also ends. Our soul which was
nurtured by them shrinks and our mind which was formed of their shining qualities falls
apart. This does not make us mad with anger. However, it is so grave as if we are all
alone in a dark cave of sadness.
● After this initial period of intense sadness and pain, there is peace. It comes slowly and
gradually. There is a kind of electric vibration of tranquility. It energizes our senses which
have an inner talk with us and say that the great souls once existed and now, we can
also achieve that greatness. We can be great like them because once, they too existed.
The poem is divided into 3 parts- Acknowledgment of loss, Experiencing Pain,
acceptance/healing & Growth.
, Theme-
- Death & loss
- Grief & Mournin
- Influence & legacy
- Healing & Renewal
-
- Memory & Acknowledgement
Stanza Analysis-
1st Stanza_ “When great trees fall…..eroded beyond fear”
Starts with a metaphor- “When great trees fall” symbolizing death of an important individual and
states the reaction/ effect of it on the world around him, like how the earth trembles which
causes the huge rocks to shudder. This scares lions and elephants too, which are considered
the most fearless animals.
The lions hide behind tall grasses and the elephants move awkwardly to seek shelter in safer
places because the shivering indicates that a dangerous calamity is approaching. These lines
indicate the vast effect of people’s death, felt miles around and by many different people,
making them feel unsafe and despair in a way.
Hunker: squat; here- animals trying to make themselves small (cringing) and hiding in response to
danger.
__
Falling of the great tree has as much effect on smaller creatures as it has on big ones, who are
‘benumbed’ (deprived of physical or emotional feeling.) and they retreat in total silence. This
represents the loss of a great individual that shocks even the unknown or unrelated people and
are unable to express their despair, thus keeping them silent. Small creatures’, or people’s
senses are ‘eroded beyond fear’ i.e- their senses are diminished beyond fear in such a horrific
situation of a fall of a great tree, or death of a person respectively.
~ Maya Angelou (1928-2014)
Rhyme Scheme- Free Verse; Not in a specific rhyme scheme
Summary- The poet talks about what happens to one's life when their loved ones pass
away.
(compare with symbolisms)
● When a special one passes away-The poet says that when an old, big tree uproots
and falls, the Earth trembles and causes even the massive rocks to shudder.
● How the world reacts- The fearless animals like the lions also hide behind the tall
grass. Even the mighty elephants run in search of safer places. The smaller animals and
insects hide and remain quiet. Their sense organs stop working due to the intense fear.
● When a special one passes away(Symbolism)- Then she talks of the death of great
men. When such souls depart, it becomes difficult for us to breathe. Our senses cannot
work. Our vision is unclear and we realize the pain of such loss. We are reminded of the
kindness of these souls, the unfulfilled promises which we will not be able to fulfill.
● The part of our life which is attached to these souls also ends. Our soul which was
nurtured by them shrinks and our mind which was formed of their shining qualities falls
apart. This does not make us mad with anger. However, it is so grave as if we are all
alone in a dark cave of sadness.
● After this initial period of intense sadness and pain, there is peace. It comes slowly and
gradually. There is a kind of electric vibration of tranquility. It energizes our senses which
have an inner talk with us and say that the great souls once existed and now, we can
also achieve that greatness. We can be great like them because once, they too existed.
The poem is divided into 3 parts- Acknowledgment of loss, Experiencing Pain,
acceptance/healing & Growth.
, Theme-
- Death & loss
- Grief & Mournin
- Influence & legacy
- Healing & Renewal
-
- Memory & Acknowledgement
Stanza Analysis-
1st Stanza_ “When great trees fall…..eroded beyond fear”
Starts with a metaphor- “When great trees fall” symbolizing death of an important individual and
states the reaction/ effect of it on the world around him, like how the earth trembles which
causes the huge rocks to shudder. This scares lions and elephants too, which are considered
the most fearless animals.
The lions hide behind tall grasses and the elephants move awkwardly to seek shelter in safer
places because the shivering indicates that a dangerous calamity is approaching. These lines
indicate the vast effect of people’s death, felt miles around and by many different people,
making them feel unsafe and despair in a way.
Hunker: squat; here- animals trying to make themselves small (cringing) and hiding in response to
danger.
__
Falling of the great tree has as much effect on smaller creatures as it has on big ones, who are
‘benumbed’ (deprived of physical or emotional feeling.) and they retreat in total silence. This
represents the loss of a great individual that shocks even the unknown or unrelated people and
are unable to express their despair, thus keeping them silent. Small creatures’, or people’s
senses are ‘eroded beyond fear’ i.e- their senses are diminished beyond fear in such a horrific
situation of a fall of a great tree, or death of a person respectively.
