A Poison Tree Poem - Extra Exercise

1. What happened when the persona told a friend that the persona was angry with him?


2. What do you think the apple represents?


3. Which word in the poem means 'to move quietly without being noticed'?


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?


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


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


7. Identify a phrase in the poem which effectively describes the silent, cunning scheming of the persona.


8. In your opinion, who is the real victim in this poem- the persona or the 'foe'? Give a reason for your answer.



P.S. Please comment below if you have any query about these questions. Thanks.

Exercise - A Poison Tree Poem - Form 5

1. Why did the persona's wrath end when he told his friend about it?


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

3. How did the persona nurture his wrath?


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


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


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


7. In your opinion, what is the persona really doing in stanza 2?


8. How could the foe possibly know that the 'apple bright' belongs to the persona?

Messages and Moral Values - A Poison Tree Poem - Form 5

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
• Forgiveness
• Rationality
• Moderation

Themes of A Poison Tree Poem - Form 5 literature

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 portrays patience as he refuse to make peace with his enemy by talking about his anger. 

A Poison Tree Poem - Meaning by stanza

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.

Literature Form 5 - 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 waterd 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 veild the pole; 

In the morning glad I see; 

My foe outstretched beneath the tree.