The Black Walnut Tree By Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver, in her poem “The Black Walnut Tree”, gives an account of a mother and daughters quandary to cut down the walnut tree despite the history attached to it. Poems are often difficult to grasp and understand, however, through the usage of literary devices such as diction and imagery the reader is able to draw context and form a conclusion.

Oliver utilizes diction, the authors choice of words in one’s writings, in order to evoke the desired tone and emotion onto the reader. The walnut tree bears significance of a colossal matter to the mother and daughter. Epitomizing their family heritage and fathers labor the two decide to reconsider. However, Oliver uses diction when she says, “Likely some storm anyway will churn down its dark boughs, smashing the house,” implying that the trees “dark boughs, meaning the trees looming branch’s, may damage the house in the event of a storm (Oliver 6-8). Furthermore, Oliver’s habitude of word choice allows the reader to not only recognize the tree's potential for further damage but also discloses the effort to maintain the tree, “… the

leaves are getting heavier every year, and the fruit harder to gather away” (Oliver 13-15). Whether the mother and daughter decide to keep or cut the tree they are at risk of losing their ancestral past.
Imagery can be found in all forms of literature.

Oliver uses imagery in an endeavor to create a scene for the audience. During the mother and daughter’s deliberation, they conclude the tree may not be worth the hassle. “Roots in the cellar drains, I say…,” (Oliver 11-12) the daughter depicts that the roots of the tree have grown in the cellar drains, suggesting the trees being is deeply embedded in the families past. In addition, the daughter speaks about having a dream of her “fathers out in Bohemia,” and goes on to describe the fields, “fresh and generous Ohio with leaves and vines and orchards” (Oliver 22-25). Oliver, including this description, grants an individual the ability to detect a shift in mood and turning point in the poem. The aid of imagery in Oliver’s poems separates the beginning and the end by depicting a dark setting then veering into an airy scene of

optimism.
Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Black Walnut Tree”, tells of the tribulation a mother and daughter go through deciding whether to cut their bond with a family heritage in exchange for economic benefits. Without the usage of imagery and diction, the author would have immense difficulty communicating a message and stimulating emotion from the reader.