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About this quote

What does it mean?
Lowell personifies a birch tree as a shy lady trying to hide her poverty using the last of her leaves, suggesting resilience and lost dignity.
In plain terms
A tree tries to look dignified even though it is poor and losing its leaves.
What can you take from it?
Resilience often masks loss or poverty.

Where it applies

  • nature writing
  • reflection on poverty
  • metaphor

Putting it to work

  • write about nature metaphorically
  • observe hidden struggles

Questions to consider

  • What does nature tell us about poverty?
  • How do we hide our struggles?

Another view

The metaphor relies on projecting human social values onto nature.

More from James Russell Lowell

  1. Before man made us citizens, great Nature made us men.

    Permalink to quote #13
  2. They came three thousand miles, and died, To keep the Past upon its throne; Unheard, beyond the ocean tide, Their English mother made her moan.

    Permalink to quote #15
  3. I first drew in New England's air, and from her hardy breast Sucked in the tyrant-hating milk that will not let me rest.

    Permalink to quote #12

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