A Poison Tree (William Blake)

A Poison Tree by William Blake is a deceptively simple poem that explores the destructive nature of suppressed anger and the consequences of unresolved conflict. The poem begins with the speaker admitting to harbouring anger towards a foe, but instead of expressing it openly, he decides to nurture it in secret. As the speaker nurtures his anger, it grows into a metaphorical "poison tree," which eventually bears fruit in the form of deadly consequences for his foe. The poem serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing negative emotions to fester and the importance of addressing conflicts openly and honestly. You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

A Poison Tree by William Blake

I was angry with my friend:

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,

Night and morning with my tears;

And I sunned it with smiles,

And with soft deceitful wiles.
 

And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple bright;

And my foe beheld it shine,

And he knew that it was mine,
 

And into my garden stole

When the night had veil’d the pole:

In the morning glad I see

My foe outstretch’d beneath the tree.

Analysis:

Title and Imagery:

The title "A Poison Tree" immediately introduces the central metaphor of the poem, comparing the speaker's suppressed anger to a poisonous plant. Throughout the poem, Blake uses vivid imagery to depict the growth and consequences of the "poison tree," emphasising the destructive nature of unresolved conflict.

Structure and Form:

"A Poison Tree" is written in quatrains with a regular rhyme scheme (AABB), creating a sense of rhythm and structure. The repetition of the phrase "I told my wrath, my wrath did grow" emphasises the cyclical nature of the speaker's suppressed anger and its eventual consequences.

Language and Tone:

Blake uses simple, straightforward language to convey the speaker's emotions and experiences in a direct and relatable manner. The tone of the poem is ominous and foreboding, with the speaker's suppressed anger serving as a metaphorical undercurrent of tension and conflict.

Symbolism and Allegory:

The "poison tree" serves as a powerful symbol of the destructive consequences of unresolved conflict and suppressed emotions. The tree's growth and eventual bearing of "apples bright" symbolise the escalation of the conflict and the harm caused by the speaker's unwillingness to confront his anger.

Themes:

Conflict and anger: The poem explores the destructive consequences of unresolved conflict and suppressed anger, highlighting the importance of addressing emotions openly and honestly.

Deception and betrayal: The speaker's decision to conceal his anger and nurture it in secret serves as a form of self-deception, ultimately leading to betrayal and harm.

Consequences of actions: The poem serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of one's actions and the importance of taking responsibility for one's emotions and behaviour.

Key Quotes:

"I was angry with my friend:/ I told my wrath, my wrath did end."

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

"And it grew both day and night,/ Till it bore an apple bright."

Conclusion:

A Poison Tree by William Blake is a thought-provoking exploration of the destructive nature of suppressed anger and unresolved conflict. Through vivid imagery and symbolism, Blake conveys the consequences of the speaker's decision to nurture his anger in secret, ultimately leading to betrayal and harm. The poem's inclusion in the Edexcel GCSE English Literature Conflict Poetry Anthology provides students with an opportunity to reflect on themes of conflict within oneself and society, as well as the importance of addressing emotions openly and honestly.

You can find analysis of all the Edexcel Conflict Poetry Anthology Poems here.