Unpacking William Blake's 'A Poison Tree'
Welcome, young poets! Today, we'll explore a powerful poem by William Blake. It's about anger, honesty, and forgiveness. Let's dive into its important lessons.
by Government High School Sundankottai
Meet William Blake, The Imaginative Poet
Visionary Artist
William Blake (1757-1827) was a special English poet and painter. He lived in London long ago.
Creative Rebel
He was known for his big imagination. He loved to think differently and bravely.
Famous Works
Some of his well-known poems include "The Lamb" and "The Tiger."
Anger Towards a Friend
Shared Feelings
The poem starts with anger at a friend. What do you do when you are angry?
Speaking Up
The poet told his friend about his anger. This made the anger go away.
Honesty Helps
It shows that talking about feelings can clear them. It builds stronger friendships.
Anger Towards an Enemy
Hidden Feelings
But with his foe, the poet did not speak. He kept his angry feelings inside.
Anger Grows
This unspoken anger did not disappear. Instead, it grew stronger and bigger.
A Dark Seed
It's like planting a tiny seed. If you don't talk, the seed of anger gets bigger.
Nourishing the Anger
Watered by Fears
The poet watered his anger with his fears. He was afraid of his foe.
Night and Morning Tears
He cried about it day and night. His tears fed the growing anger.
Sunned by Deceit
He also "sunned" it with fake smiles. He used clever, dishonest tricks.
The Poisonous Fruit
Grew Day and Night
The hidden anger grew bigger. It grew steadily, both day and night.
1
Bright Apple Appears
Finally, it bore a "bright apple." This apple looked lovely but was full of poison.
2
Foe's Attraction
His enemy saw the shiny apple. He knew it belonged to the poet.
3
The Foe's Secret Visit
1
Night Fall
When the night covered everything, his foe came secretly.
2
Into the Garden
He stole into the poet's garden. He wanted that tempting, bright apple.
3
Unseen Entry
The foe entered without being seen. He was driven by desire for the fruit.
A Dark Discovery
Morning's Sight
In the morning, the poet felt happy. But what did he see?
Foe Beneath the Tree
His foe was lying dead under the tree. The poisonous apple had taken its toll.
Lesson Learned
This shocking end shows the danger of unexpressed anger and revenge.
Messages from the Poem
Speak Your Anger
It's best to talk about your anger. Don't let it hide and grow.
Forgiveness is Key
Holding grudges hurts you more. Forgive and move on.
Avoid Deceit
Being dishonest makes things worse. Always try to be truthful.
Reflecting on 'A Poison Tree'
Now, let's think about this powerful poem. What did you learn?