UNCHOPPING A TREE

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American writer W. S. Merwin in his essay Unchopping a Tree directs us to unchop a chopped down tree to make us realize the difficulty involved in this process. Giving pseudo (false) direction, the writer makes us aware that unchopping a chopped down tree is an impossible task. Therefore, he is appealing us to be wise and preserve the nature. The writer presents impossible example to convey deep meaning.

In this essay, the writer has shown that it is quite impossible to give a life back to a tree when it is once chopped or cut. One can join the chopped down tree by using different fixatives. He could straighten the broken branches, and also can erect the trunk. But, he can’t give life to it. Unchopping a tree to its original or natural form is impossible although it is easy to cut down. Thus, in this essay, the writer suggests the people of the world not to cut down the tree. Most of the lines in this essay are directive. The very first line of the essay begins, "Start with the leaves, the small twigs, and the nests that have been shaken, ripped, or broken off by the fall …”. Every part of tree refers to the every parts of the nature whether they are small or big. Each and every parts of nature is important. As we are also the creation of the nature, it is our duty to maintain the balance in the nature. Our lives totally depend upon the nature. The writer through this essay has precisely presented the importance and impact of nature upon us.

Unchopping a tree is impossible. It is only a kind of feeling but certainly it has meaning. The writer emphasizes on the preservation of the nature. The nature should be preserved and those persons who cut the trees must plant some more in replacement. When they save and plant the trees, it is unchopping a tree. The writer warns that it is easy to destroy but very hard to create. When a tree is felled down, there is no way to bring it into its original condition. But its place can be replaced with plantation of more trees. Trees are also the important parts of the ecosystem as other living creatures. We should think of conservation of such trees instead of deforestation for the protection of the ecosystem.

A tree has recently been chopped down, so the writer directs us to indulge ourselves to unchop the tree. He directs us to collect the leaves, twigs and put them to their original places. He also direct us to repair the bird nests, spider webs, beehives and neighboring trees damaged by the fall. It is very difficult to keep the fallen tree upright with the help of tackles and scaffolding  Even paying extreme care, there is possibility of snapping away some leaves and twigs. After keeping the trunk upright, we should put back all the splinters scattered around to their own places. The writer directs us to collect and put back all the sawdust to their former positions. Bar dust is extremely difficult to trace out as it mixes to the soil very easily. The writer finally directs us to remove the tackles and scaffolding very carefully so that there would be no further damage done to the tree. In spite of all these efforts, although the tree finally stands on its trunk, it is very feeble and a gentle push of breeze is sufficient to blow away the leaves and a mild touch of cloud is enough for its falling down again.

Using pseudo directive instructions, the writer actually wants us to realize the impossibility of unchopping a chopped down tree. Revealing the extreme difficulty involved in this process, he appeals us to be sensible enough and preserve the nature rather than damaging it.