Poem : Form 5 - A Poison Tree

Exercise

1. Why did the persona's wrath/anger end when he told

his friend about it?
His burden of anger was lifted from his heart and mind.

2. What happened when he did not tell his foe?

His anger/wrath began to grow.

3. How did the persona nurture his wrath?

He nurtured/tended to it like a beloved tree. He ‘watered
it in fears” and in his tears, “sunned it with smiles’ and
“deceitful wiles”.

4. Why is 'and' repeated three times in stanza 2?

It is because the persona refused to let go of his anger
and constantly nurtured his anger/wrath. Or
It shows the persona’s refusal to let go of his anger and
constant nurturing of his anger/wrath.

5. What type of literary device is used in 'soft deceitful

wiles'? Why?
Alliteration is used.The soft ‘s’ sounds potray the silent
scheming of the persona who is like a sneaky snake.

6. What does the poem's title suggest about the content?

The title suggests that the poem is about a poisonous
tree.

7. In your opinion, what is the persona really doing in

stanza 2?
In my opinion, the persona is nurturing his anger,
making it grow bigger with his fears and tears and
deceitful smiles and wiles.

8. How could the foe possibly know that the 'apple bright'
belongs to the persona?
Perhaps/Maybe the persona told the foe in some way
about it. Perhaps the object of envy (‘apple bright’)
clearly belongs to the persona because it is in the
persona’s territory.

A Poison Tree Poem - Extra Exercise

1. What happened when the persona told a friend that

the persona was angry with him?
The persona stopped being angry.

2. What do you think the apple represents?

I think the apple represents the poisonous fruit of
suppressed anger.

3. Which word in the poem means 'to move quietly

without being noticed'?
The word is ‘stole’ (Stanza 4).
4. The persona in the poem is angry with a friend. If you
were the persona's friend, what advice would you give
him or her?
I would suggest that my friend would speak honestly to
the friend he or she is angry with. /
I would advise my friend to forgive the person because
being angry would hurt him or her.

Minta maaf = apologise = beg / ask for forgiveness

I apologise.
I beg / ask for forgiveness.
I am sorry

Maafkan = forgive – forgave - forgiven

I forgive you. I have forgiven you..
I am/was forgiven.

5. In stanza 1, which word in the poem means 'terrible

anger'?
‘wrath’

6. In stanza 2, how did the persona tend to his plant?

He/The persona ‘watered it in fears’ and ‘tears’, and
and ‘sunned’ it with ‘smiles and deceitful wiles’.

7. Identify a phrase in the poem which effectively

describes the silent, cunning scheming of the persona.
‘soft deceitful wiles’.

8. In your opinion, who is the real victim in this poem-

the persona or the 'foe'? Give a reason for your answer.
In my opinion, the real victim is the ‘foe’ because he is
unaware of the persona’s anger towards him. The ‘foe’
also does not realise the persona’s ‘deceitful wiles’ to
trap and destroy him.

Messages
- Do not suppress negative feelings
- We must resolve the issue if we have negative feelings
like anger.
- Remaining silent about our anger only makes us
bitter and even evil.
- Suppressed anger is dangerous as it can have a
destructive effect on society.

Moral Values

 Truthfulness / Honesty
 Forgiveness
 Rationality
 Moderation
Themes

 Suppressing anger
Anger should be addressed because it can lead to destructive consequences for both the angry
person and his victim.

 Importance of communication
Communication is important in any relationship, more so if one cannot get along with someone or
has a grudge.

 Deception and self-deception

People are often deceived by outward appearances.

 Patience, self-restraint and moderation

The persona does not portray patience as he refuses to make peace with his enemy by talking
about his anger.

Meaning

Stanza 1

 The persona is angry at his friend and talks it out. His anger dissipated and they continue
the friendship.
 However, when he is angry with his enemy, he keeps quiet. Then, his anger grows even
more within him.

Stanza 2
 He lets his anger grows day and night. He acts in deceitful ways toward his enemy.

Stanza 3
 The poison tree of anger eventually bears fruit which is an 'apple bright'.
 The enemy knows it belongs to the persona.
 The apple is very attractive to the enemy.

Stanza 4
 The apple is attractive and lures the enemy who sneaks into the persona's garden at night.
 At night, the 'pole star' is hidden and cannot protect the enemy from the danger of the
'apple bright'.
 The 'pole star' is the North Star or Polaris, a bright star permanently in the sky still used by
navigators to avoid dangers while travelling.
 The enemy eats the apple and is poisoned.
 The persona is satisfied.
 A Poison Tree Poem 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 watered it in fears,

Night & 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 veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.