A Poison Tree (1794) (Edexcel GCSE English Literature): Revision Notes

A Poison Tree (1794)

"A Poison Tree" By William Blake

Context

William Blake was a Romantic poet known for exploring human emotions, morality, and spiritual themes. In A Poison Tree, Blake examines the destructive power of suppressed anger and the consequences of unresolved conflict. The poem is part of his collection Songs of Experience, which critiques societal hypocrisy and human flaws, contrasting it with the innocence explored in his earlier work.

The Poem

I was angry with my friend;

← Repetition

I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe:

I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I water'd it in fears,

← Metaphor

Night & morning with my tears:

And I sunned it with smiles,

← Juxtaposition

And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night.

Till it bore an apple bright.

← Symbolism

And my foe beheld it shine,

And he knew that it was mine.

And into my garden stole,

When the night had veild the pole;

In the morning glad I see;

← Irony

My foe outstretch'd beneath the tree.

5 quotes + analysis to achieve a grade 9

1. "I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow."

• Analysis: The poet uses repetition ("I was angry") to contrast the outcomes of expressed versus repressed anger. The line highlights the danger of unresolved emotions and suggests that secrecy nurtures resentment, allowing it to fester and grow.

2. "And I water'd it in fears, / Night and morning with my tears;"

• Analysis: The metaphor of "watering" anger suggests that nurturing negative emotions through fear and sorrow leads to their growth. Blake personifies emotions, presenting them as a living force that thrives on suppressed feelings.

3. "And I sunned it with smiles, / And with soft deceitful wiles."

• Analysis: The juxtaposition of "smiles" with "deceitful wiles" reveals the hypocrisy of hiding anger behind a façade of politeness. This deceit deepens the toxicity of the speaker's emotions, symbolising the hidden dangers of false appearances.

4. "Till it bore an apple bright;"

• Analysis: The symbolism of the apple evokes the Biblical story of Adam and Eve, linking the poem to themes of temptation and sin. The "bright" apple represents the culmination of suppressed anger and its alluring but deadly consequences.

5. "In the morning glad I see / My foe outstretch'd beneath the tree."

• Analysis: The irony of the speaker's joy contrasts sharply with the implied moral lesson. While the speaker achieves revenge, it comes at the cost of humanity and compassion, showing the corrosive power of vengeance.

Form & Structure Points

• Rhyming Couplets: The poem uses a simple AABB rhyme scheme, giving it a childlike quality that contrasts with the dark subject matter. This structure reinforces the fable-like nature of the poem.
• Quatrains: The regular structure of four-line stanzas mirrors the steady progression of the speaker's suppressed anger and its ultimate consequence.
• Imagery: Vivid images such as the "apple bright" and "tears" enhance the poem's emotional and symbolic depth.
• Allegory: The poem can be read as an allegory about the destructive nature of hidden anger and its impact on human relationships.

Example Paragraph for a Grade 9 Answer

In A Poison Tree, Blake explores the destructive consequences of suppressed anger using symbolism and metaphor. The metaphor of "watering" anger with "fears" and "tears" illustrates how negative emotions grow when left unresolved. The "apple bright" symbolises the allure of revenge, evoking Biblical imagery to highlight its moral implications. The simple AABB rhyme scheme mirrors the steady build-up of the speaker's wrath, creating a fable-like quality that enhances the poem's moral lesson. Similarly, in [Insert Other Poem], [Insert Comparison]. Both poets reveal the consequences of unchecked emotions, though Blake's approach is more allegorical.