The Black Walnut Tree

Dana Doherty The Black Walnut written by Mary Oliver, concerns the narrators and her mothers struggle to decide whether they will have a guide on their holding cut down. If they decide to have the black walnut tree removed and sell it for lumber, they will be able to pay off their homes mortgage however, if they stick around faithful to the tree and their heritage, they risk the tree collapsing onto their home resulting in its destruction.The start of the poem introduces the disputation outright. However, as the speaker of the piece, or the author herself, makes her case it seems alternatively one sided, all arguments are in favor of cutting down the tree. The tone is literal, all making denotation to the physical damages that could be caused if the tree remains. The author uses diction to convey this tone using delivery such as likely and navys which add not only a casual and conversational element to the piece, but also one Of doubt.The poem shifts as the speaker describes b ut something brighter than money moves in our blood- an edge sharp and quick as a trowel. Here is where Oliver begins to employ figurative language as this something is making reference to the symbolic meaning behind the tree. As the poem mutinous the narrator makes reference to dreams of her father and her and of her mothers willingness to crawl with shame in their fathers backyard. Harvesting from the tree, as suggested by the piece, is a way of connecting with the agricultural ways of their forefathers. The tree is their connection to the past and the debate is not so much over the mere life of a tree, but between living comfortably and sticking to their roots. The end of the poem speaks about(predicate) the tree as it continues to remain in the yard. The author describes the way her mother and her would crawl in shame at the emptiness wed made. if they were to sell the tree.As the poem comes to a close the author writes so the black walnut tree swings through another year of sun and leaping winds, of leaves and bounding fruit. This passing of time is representative of the joys and sorrows, the emanation and falls of a life. They live with the presence of the tree, a life where they live in a way that remains close to their roots and their family. However, the closing words of the piece make references to the tree and the way it continues to endure the cracking whip of the mortgage suggesting that the struggle continues on.