The correct answer is 4) The author believed the tree had a life story, like a person.
Usually, biographies are written for and about people - a biography is a text about someone's life, their accomplishments, and the most important things that happened throughout their lives. However, Barron thought of this tree as an actual living person who deserved to have its story told, which is why he wrote a biography about its life.
To me, "State" means a mindset. He's in a mode, or a mindset of confusion. He's confused. He's in a place where he doesn't know what's going on, if that makes sense. It is a Condition Of Mind
~Deceptiøn
