A Poison Tree Group

Question:

dannygunderson
dannygunderson
Student
Community / Jr. College

What is the tone of the poem, "A Poison Tree"?

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Posted by dannygunderson on Monday April 7, 2008 at 7:52 PM and tagged with a poison tree, tone.


Answers:


  1. amy-lepore Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    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,                    5
      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.                              10
      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;                              15
      My foe outstretchd beneath the tree.

    The tone is very matter-of-fact with a hint of satisfaction. The speaker was angry, and he did nothing about it. The anger poisoned the soil of the tree creating poison fruit. He knew the enemy would be tempted by the fruit. He was correct, and revenge was successful.

    Rate answer:

    Posted by amy-lepore on Tuesday April 8, 2008 at 6:14 AM