Preview

William Stanley Merwin's Unchopping A Tree

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
354 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
William Stanley Merwin's Unchopping A Tree
SUMMARY OF
UNCHOPPING A TREE by William Stanley Merwin

Merwin’s Unchopping a Tree is a procedural essay as we can infer from the title alone. Here, Merwin describes what it takes for one to put together again a tree that has been cut down. Note that the author is very accurate in his steps so as to ensure that the tree will be exactly what it was when the rebuilding is done.

According to Merwin, we have to start with the leave sand all others that belong to the tree’s crowning glory. They have to be put back exactly the way they used to be. Everything that used to be there has to be there again---exactly the way it was. Next in line is the trunk. Everything has to fit like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. There must not be a single
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Anne Frank's Tree Jessica Ravitz Analysis
    • 150 Words
    • 1 Page

    Anne Frank's Tree Jessica Ravitz Analysis

    hope and new life”, written by Jessica Ravitz, tells the story of a 170 year old chestnut tree that gave faith to Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who suffered during the Holocaust. This tree, now having been sick of a fungus for ten years, is dying. Afraid of this historical treasure’s demise, the museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at which the tree lives has begun to plant fallen chestnuts in hopes of growing others trees. The author gives the reader a passage in Anne’s diary dated February 23, 1944, in which the young girl writes that the tree is an uplifter of spirits and, in any situation, will provide hope to all of those around it. The people of the museum are hoping that…

    • 150 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    A Tree Grows In Brooklyn Character Analysis
    • 375 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A Tree Grows In Brooklyn Character Analysis

    In the novel a tree grows in Brooklyn, the protagonist, |Francie Nolan displays three virtues, courage, honesty and acceptance. Courage comes in many shapes, sizes and forms; it can be saving an old lady from a burning building or small encounters of courage, like asking out a secret admirer. Francies display’s courage when the doctor makes several comments about poor people being filthy, Francie feels hurt immediately. When the needle went into her, “… Francie never felt it. The wave of hurt started by the doctor's words… drove out all other feelings” unlike at the school yard when a girl with the blackboard erasers spit in Francie faces, she spoke up, Francie got the courage to stand up for herself…

    • 375 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    A Separate Peace: the Incident at the Tree
    • 460 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A Separate Peace: the Incident at the Tree

    In the novel, A Separate Peace by John Knowles, Gene Forrester and Phineas, also known as Finny, are best friends who have a very deep friendship. However, as the story progresses, Gene began to develop feelings of jealousy for Finny when he saw how perfect Finny’s character is. Finny has always been able to talk his way out of trouble and is naturally a good athlete who is earnest, confident, & pure. On the other hand, Gene cannot be pure like Finny and feels insecure. Seeing how good Finny is, caused Gene to become jealous, “I was beginning to see that Phineas could get away with anything, I couldn’t help envying him…” (ch2.20) Soon, Gene thinks that a rivalry is happening between them. Because Gene envies Finny’s character, he thinks that Finny is also jealous of him for his good academic performance, “I felt better. Yes, I sensed it like the sweat of relief …We were even after all… The deadly rivalry was on both sides after all.”(ch4.34). By thinking there is a competition between them, Gene feels at ease, because none of them is better than the other. One night, Finny announced that Leper will jump off the tree, in order to become a full member of their secret society. Gene didn’t want to go because he feared his grade would slip if he didn’t study and also thinks that Leper wouldn’t dare to jump off the tree. After hearing from Gene that he wanted to study, Finny was surprise because he thought that Gene was naturally intelligent, who doesn’t need to review for a test. With sincerity, Finny lets Gene study, but Gene changed his mind and would come along with Finny. On the way to the tree,Gene realizes that a competition never happened and it was just Gene that was envious of Finny. Because Gene saw Finny's goodness and innocence, Gene realizes a rivalry with Finny will never occur. Gene began…

    • 460 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    A Sand County Almanac: Summary
    • 528 Words
    • 3 Pages

    A Sand County Almanac: Summary

    In the essay “Good Oak” in part one of A Sand County Almanac, Leopold is supplied with wood from an oak tree to warm himself on the cold winter days and nights. One night the Oak is struck by a bolt of lightning and it is decided by Leopold and other woodsmen to remove the damaged tree. As Leopold and the other men cut through the tree they witness the same history experienced by the Oak. They cut through the rings and go backwards into time. Each ring represents one year the tree stood tall. I choose this essay not because of a personal experience, but because the essay inspired me. While I was reading the many essays throughout the book this one always stuck in the back of my mind. I responded well to this essay because of the way Leopold…

    • 528 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Tree In The Novel Stand Tall By Joan Bauer
    • 285 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Tree In The Novel Stand Tall By Joan Bauer

    Throughout the novel Stand Tall by Joan Bauer, the protagonist, Tree, demonstrates he is perseverant through all of the hardships he faces. For instance, when Tree is left home alone with his disabled grandpa during the flood grandpa says, “‘Call your dad’… No answer ‘Call the neighbors we’ll find somebody’… ‘I’m gonna call the police, Grandpa. Tell them we need a ride’ He punched 911. Circuits busy” (141). Clearly this indicates, that Tree is incredibly tenacious during this hardship. Tree is left home alone with his grandpa, who only has one leg, during a flood not knowing what to do. His grandpa helps guide him but Tree courageously takes over. Therefore, Tree does not easily surrender. He continuously perserveres through the hardship. Even…

    • 285 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does The Tree Change Melinda's Identity
    • 295 Words
    • 2 Pages

    How Does The Tree Change Melinda's Identity

    The tree project changes Melinda’s identity through the course of the text by allowing Melinda to realize her flaws and imperfections within her identity. Melinda likes to make things sound easy and not let others know things may be hard for her. She says, “Tree. Tree? It’s too easy. I learned how to draw a tree in second grade (Sanctuary 12). She is pessimistic and always sees the worst in things. This includes this project that could have a deeper meaning. The art teacher, Mr. Freeman always finds ways to try and make Melinda a better student. Mr. Freeman says, “ You are getting better at this but it’s not good enough. This looks like a tree, but average ordinary, everyday, boring tree. Breathe life into it… perfect trees don’t exist. Nothing…

    • 295 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Organic Machine And William Cronon's Changes In The Land
    • 1409 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Organic Machine And William Cronon's Changes In The Land

    top soil in place. As the trees were cut, the valuable topsoil was washed away…

    • 1409 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Pros And Cons Of Salvage Logging
    • 339 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Pros And Cons Of Salvage Logging

    The reading passage describes that due to the damage that occurs in forests as a result of fires and storms through the northwestern of the United States, a technique known as salvage logging is developed. It has beneficial effects on both forests and economy. First, fire cause the death of trees that if they are not removed, there will be no vacant places for new ones. That’s why by using salvage logging, there will be new room and space for fresh growth of trees thus the forest will recover. Second, decaying wood is a suitable environment for the growth of harmful insects such as spruce…

    • 339 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    "The Education of Little Tree": Chapter Summary 9.
    • 573 Words
    • 2 Pages

    "The Education of Little Tree": Chapter Summary 9.

    This chapter started out by telling us that Granpa had never held a job in public works, which is a job for regular hire. During Little Tree's childhood, corn was very cheap in its regular form, but in whiskey form it was worth a profitable amount. Granpa's trade was making moonshine. This was the only way to make money because they had such a small corn patch that it was impossible to make money selling regular corn. Granpa got his trade from his Scotch side. He thought that it was an honorable trade that was often given a bad name because of bad moon shiners. There are many ways to cheat and Granpa didn't do any of them. He said that some big moon shiners try to get rid of the small ones by doing things like telling people that the moonshine is aged which makes no difference according to Granpa. He called the people that purchased that barrel sniffers.…

    • 573 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    White Heron Essay
    • 486 Words
    • 2 Pages

    White Heron Essay

    In the excerpt from the short story “A White Heron”, Jewett turns an ordinary event into an extraordinary adventure by illustrating the grandeur of the tree. In the beginning of the excerpt, Jewett describes the setting of the story, and explains how this one particular pine tree stands at the highest point in the woods. She explains how this pine tree is possibly left by the woodcutters as a boundary mark, and is “the last of its generation” (Excerpt from “A White Heron” (2). As Jewett describes the tree, readers sense that the tree is valuable and different from the rest of the trees in the woods. It evokes curiosity from the readers as to what will happen to this tree, and readers get the sense that this tree is valuable and unique. This tree which is ordinary turns into something extraordinary. Towards the middle of the introduction Jewett describes how the tree towers over all the other trees in the woods. Jewett goes on to explain how the tree makes a “landmark for sea and shore miles and miles away” (Excerpt from “A White Heron” (6). Jewett describes the tree as if it is like a sky scrapper, and gives readers a visual perspective on how the tree looks like. By showing the…

    • 486 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Summary Of Strange Fruit By Cerny
    • 411 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Summary Of Strange Fruit By Cerny

    For women of color, it is as if society was against them two times. As if being a woman is not already hard enough, don’t throw race into the picture as well! As this piece was viewed, my mind could hear “Strange Fruit” playing in the background. The struggle of living during such a depressing time is visible in the gaze of Miss Holiday. Ironically enough, since this painting as well as others in the gallery were of African American jazz musicians, I assumed that the artist themselves would also be of African American decent and I was incorrect. This was only odd for the emotion stirred in me by the piece was far too spot. Although many aspects of African American culture is hard to grasp for someone who is not of that decent, Cerny does a…

    • 411 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Brambleclaw: A Short Story
    • 92 Words
    • 1 Page

    Brambleclaw: A Short Story

    “What a disaster!” Brambleclaw said to Firestar. It was just yesterday, the horrible thoughts in Brambleclaw's mind were still whirling of the thought of the badgers attack, killing Cinderpelt and Sootfur, also injuring many cats. Thank Starclan that Windclan have come to help us with this fight to drive the badgers away. If they didn’t, we’d be toast. “The camp is destroyed, we will all have to fix it”, said Firestar. Brambleclaw looked around, then hearing the ferns moving Brambleclaw swung around and saw Stormfur and Brook pacing into the Thunderclan camp.…

    • 92 Words
    • 1 Page
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Planting a Tree
    • 677 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Planting a Tree

    In the essay “Planting a Tree”, the author describes his place of living and its surroundings. The author, Edward Abbey, lives in a little house close to the city Tucson, Arizona with his wife and daughter. Abbey portrays his place of living and the surroundings in a very distinct manner. Despite being surrounded by wild animals, Abbey describes the place as nice. Although, he would like to stay here for a while, but he probably will not. However, before leaving Abbey wants to plant a tree so someone or something can enjoy its shade, or birds, or witness the pale gold of its autumn leaves. Abbey and his family have lived at this place for four years and are now free to leave whenever they wish (Abbey 541).…

    • 677 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Love
    • 399 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Love

    “Tree Climbing,“ by student. Tree Climbing is a descriptive essay in which the author uses figurative language, contrast imagery, parallel sentences, concrete details, sensory details and many more different rhetorical terms throughout the essay. The author begins to tell describe her past childhood as a kid growing up in the house of her grandparents. It all begins in her brothers eighteenth birthday in which her brother tells the author when was the last time she had cloud pictures. Meaning when was the last time the author had any pictures of imagination that she once had as a child. In return her brother Mike reminds the author of a time when she was tree child in which her childhood was a playground of imagination and dreams. The Story then moves to the authors past. The summer trips to Milwaukee were several events took place in her grandparents house. Where the author along with her brother would spend the summer with and discover mysteries and explore dreams. The author goes on to explain how the basement inside the house along with the 7 rooms played a part in their childhood growing up. “ It was a child’s safe haven; it was a sacred place.” This quote pretty much explains and express the way the author felt about the house’s basement. The author goes on to show how empires were created in this gloriously secure basement as she states. The story then shifts to the present in which the author is now 17 and is returning once again to her grandparent’s house to help them pack. However, the house in which where dreams were created is no more. “ My kingdom up for sale.” The author finds her self stripped away from old childhood as she sees nothing but trash and leftovers of a house that she once knew. The basement was the author’s tree. The foundation of her dreams and memories. “ That last summer I found myself, much to Mike’s disappointment, quite mature, quite…

    • 399 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Analysis Of The Poem Stopping By Woods
    • 257 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Analysis Of The Poem Stopping By Woods

    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep," This line from the poem Stopping by woods, is saying that the woods are an opinionated place. The woods may be lovely to some, and scary to others. People may consider the woods to be lovely as they may have an interest for nature and it’s beauty. They may also like to see interesting animals, and escape from the reality of life. Some people might want to sit on a tree branch and enjoy the peace and quiet. To some people forests are a dark place, where they can escape to when they want to be alone. People may want to go to the woods to captivate their curious souls, and do something adventurous in the woodlands. Teenagers might want to play around and maybe even invite some friends to hang out with. The…

    • 257 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics