Welcome to Poem of the Day – A Poison Tree by William Blake.
“A Poison Tree“ is one of William Blake’s most famous poems, published in 1794 as part of his Songs of Experience. It explores the destructive effects of suppressed anger and the moral consequences of harboring negative emotions. The poem uses simple language and vivid imagery to convey a profound psychological and moral lesson about the dangers of internalized rage and the importance of communication.
Content
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.
A Poison Tree Poem Explanation
The poem describes two different ways of handling anger. In the first case, the speaker becomes angry with a friend but expresses that anger openly. As a result, the anger dissipates, and their relationship is restored. However, when the speaker becomes angry with an enemy, he represses the emotion, allowing it to grow. The speaker tends to this hidden anger, nurturing it like a tree by “watering it with fears” and “sunning it with smiles.” Over time, the anger grows into a metaphorical tree, bearing a deadly fruit—a poisoned apple. In the end, the enemy is drawn to the apple, eats it, and dies, symbolizing the destructive outcome of repressed and festering anger.
Themes and Analysis
Anger and its Consequences: The central theme of the poem is the destructive power of suppressed anger. Blake contrasts the outcome of openly expressing anger with the consequences of hiding it. When the speaker is angry with a friend, expressing those feelings leads to resolution and peace. However, when the speaker harbors anger toward an enemy, nurturing it in secret, it grows into something toxic. The poem illustrates that unexpressed anger can become destructive not only to others but to oneself.
Repression vs. Expression: Blake shows how the suppression of emotions can lead to dangerous outcomes. By refusing to communicate openly, the speaker allows his anger to fester and grow, symbolized by the poison tree. This contrasts with the healthy resolution that comes from expressing emotions openly. The poem warns against repressing feelings, suggesting that unspoken grievances can result in harm to both individuals and relationships.
Deception and Manipulation: The speaker cultivates his anger in secret, feeding it with deceit. He “watered it in fears” and “sunned it with smiles,” presenting a false outward appearance while nurturing negative feelings inside. This duplicity reflects how suppressed emotions can lead to dishonest behavior, and eventually, betrayal. The poisonous apple symbolizes the outcome of this deception—something that looks appealing on the surface but is deadly underneath.
The Nature of Evil: The poison tree and its fruit can be seen as symbols of evil and temptation. The image of the apple recalls the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where the serpent tempts Eve with forbidden fruit. In Blake’s poem, the enemy is similarly tempted by the apple, drawn to its outward beauty but unaware of the poison within. This suggests that unchecked anger and hatred can lead to evil actions and the downfall of both the one who harbors these emotions and the one who becomes their victim.
Moral and Psychological Insight: The poem offers a moral lesson about the importance of confronting and resolving negative emotions before they become harmful. Psychologically, the poem delves into the consequences of harboring resentment. By tending to his anger, the speaker becomes consumed by it, leading to the destruction of his enemy and a sense of moral corruption. Blake’s message is clear: unchecked negative emotions can grow into something far more dangerous than the initial cause of the anger.
Structure and Form
Stanza Structure: The poem is structured into four quatrains, each consisting of four lines. This regular stanza form contributes to the poem’s rhythmic quality and reinforces its thematic coherence.
Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is AABB, where each stanza has two pairs of rhyming lines. This consistent pattern enhances the poem’s musicality and memorability, while also emphasizing the contrast between the different ways of handling anger.
Meter: The poem predominantly uses a trochaic meter, characterized by stressed syllables followed by unstressed syllables. This rhythmic pattern contributes to the poem’s rhythmic flow and reinforces its moral message.
Metaphor and Imagery: The central metaphor of the poison tree is supported by vivid imagery, such as the “apple bright” and the act of “watering it with fears.” These elements create a striking visual representation of the internal and external effects of repressed emotions.
Significance
“A Poison Tree” is a powerful exploration of the destructive nature of repressed anger and the moral consequences of harboring negative emotions. Through the extended metaphor of the poison tree, Blake warns of the dangers of letting anger grow unchecked, leading to harm not only to others but to oneself. The poem’s simple form and language belie the complexity of its message, making it a timeless reflection on the importance of communication and emotional honesty. Ultimately, “A Poison Tree” serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unresolved anger, highlighting the need for open expression and the dangers of letting emotions fester in secrecy.