1. The Tree's Indistinguishability: The trees in the poem are described as "blankness" and "without leaves." This suggests a barren and empty landscape, devoid of life and detail. The lack of leaves, which are typically associated with growth and sustenance, further emphasizes the idea of barrenness and mortality.
2. The Ploughman's Absence: The ploughman, who is usually associated with cultivation and growth, is described as "gone" and "not there." His absence creates a sense of emptiness and abandonment, as if the land has been left to its own devices and is slowly succumbing to decay and death.
3. Monotony and Repetition: The poem is characterized by a sense of monotony and repetition, with the phrase "A wind flashes grass" repeated multiple times. This repetition creates a hypnotic effect, drawing the reader into the poem's atmosphere of blankness and mortality. It suggests a cyclical nature of life and death, where growth and decay are endlessly intertwined.
4. Lack of Vitality: The poem presents a world devoid of vibrant colors, life, or movement. The images are bleak and muted, with references to "brown stones," "faded weeds," and "dead air." This imagery reinforces the sense of blankness and mortality, suggesting a landscape that is devoid of any vital life force.
Overall, the trees and ploughman in the poem contribute to the image of blankness and mortality by representing the absence of life, growth, and vitality. The barren trees, the absent ploughman, and the repetitive, monotonous imagery create a desolate landscape that evokes a sense of emptiness and decay, reflecting the themes of blankness and mortality that run throughout the poem.