Elucidate on the theme and provide a critical overview of the poem, Our Casuarina Tree by Toru Dutt.

has used
the image of the tree which she
fondly remembers in recalling memories of her childhood where
"Beneath it we
have played." The tree is strong and "... gallantly The giant
wears the
scarf," which is significant as she has identified with the tree and its
ability
to withstand even the harshest creeper which has the capacity to
choke the tree "LIKE a
huge Python." In understanding the tone and theme of
, the reader
sympathizes with Toru Dutt's words as she
longs to revisit memories without the painful
association, as it is not only
the tree that is "deep with scars."

To the narrator, the
tree represents nature and nature shares feeling and emotions and,
in fact,"
the trees lament" comforts the narrator as she "saw thee, in my own
loved
native clime." This also links to the tree as representative of her culture as she
is
far away in "distant lands," but is safe in the knowledge that the tree
shall "be
ever dear" due to her recollections of her childhood and her loved
ones "Who now in
blessed sleep for aye repose."

The tree
represents all life as
"all day are gathered bird and bee"and "to their
pastures wend our sleepy
cows" and it has the capacity to unite all things
together to the point that this theme of
unity with her past and therefore
her family, her beloved country and even the future as she
wishes that
"may Love defend thee" is confirmed. When she is dead, the tree is so
strong
and represents so much that she hopes it will be saved from

"Oblivion."