Login or Sign Up
Menu
Ask a New Question

I will copy and paste the poem here because it may be hard to find it online (as it is exclusive to my textbook, I believe).

Gwaii Haanas (Beautiful Place)
By Jenny Nelson
When I grow up, my father says,
the Big Trees will be gone.

I want to see the trees
my father's seen.

I want to travel on the water
watch the otter
slide into the sea
I want to see how small I am
beside old Cedar Tree.
I want to see the things
that Chini's seen.

I want to know the forest
through my toes, as my foot goes,
on moss, on bench, on rock,
on rotting wood,
I want to feel the forest
with my eyes and hands and nose,
wet clothes,
sounds of tree-bird,
sounds of silence,
smell of mushroom, smell of cedar,
following the creeks that run
red and quiet,
water falls.
The forest calls.

I have a need
to see the Trees
My father's seen.
Leave some for me.

2. What do you think is the main idea of the poem? Provide a specific reason for your response and support it with words from the poem. (/2)
My answer:
( The main idea of the poem is that the speaker worries that because of other people, there won’t be trees/nature/forests in the future for the speaker to see and feel. (from deforestations.) I think this because in the poem it uses words like “I want to see the trees my father’s seen” or “When I grow up my father says, the Big Trees will be gone” and “ I want to see.. travel... know… etc. Also, at the end of the poem, it says “leave some [trees] for me.” )

Please check this.

Oh, alright then, English it is!

I agree that it reads better without that part. Thank you once again, Writeacher.

Also, sorry, I didn't mean to put English as the title, I meant to put Poetry.

Well, this is a poem in English, right? So English is the subject area!

Anyway, your answer reads well to me, as long as you remove this: (from deforestations.)
It's too disruptive.

You're welcome!

Your analysis of the main idea of the poem is correct. The main idea is indeed that the speaker is concerned about the potential loss of trees, nature, and forests in the future. This concern is expressed in various lines throughout the poem. For example, when the speaker says, "When I grow up, my father says, the Big Trees will be gone," it indicates the worry about the disappearance of trees. Additionally, phrases like "I want to see the trees my father's seen" and "Leave some for me" further emphasize the speaker's desire to have the opportunity to experience the beauty of nature that their father has experienced. The repeated use of words like "see," "travel," "know," and "feel" highlights the speaker's longing for a connection with nature. Ultimately, the poem conveys a sense of urgency and a plea to preserve the natural world for future generations.