Question

Why are the young trees described as 'sprinting'?

Answer 1

The young trees are personified in the poem. They seem to be running in the opposite direction when seen through the window of the moving car. The movement is juxtaposed with the expression on the mother’s face i.e. ashen like a corpse. The movement of the children and the trees is in stark contrast with the stillness associated with the mother. The vibrancy of youth and the inertia of old age can be corelated here in this expression.