Discussion Topic
How does William Blake use vivid images in "A Poison Tree" to clarify his message?
Summary:
In "A Poison Tree," William Blake uses vivid imagery to convey the destructive nature of suppressed anger. The poem likens nurturing anger to growing a tree, illustrating how unspoken wrath is "watered" with fears and tears, "sunned" with deceitful smiles, and ultimately bears a deadly "apple." This metaphor clarifies the message that harboring unresolved anger can lead to harmful consequences, as the foe is enticed by the apple and ultimately meets his demise.
How does William Blake use vivid images in "A Poison Tree" to clarify his message?
- 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 veild the pole;
In the morning glad I see; 15
My foe outstretchd beneath the tree.
- I was angry with my friend;
The images include the metaphor of harboring anger and nurturing a tree. By keeping his wrath from his foe, he begins growing the tree. He waters it with fears and tears day and night, suns it with smiles and deceit. In other words, he acts friendly and harmless...
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enough and entices the foe in closer with the "apple" which kills him.