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A Poision Tree

by William Blake

Q 1: What is the implicit meaning of the poem? Or What message does the poem convey? Or What moral lesson does the poem A Poison Tree convey to us? Or What is the theme of the poem A Poison Tree? Or Write a critical summary of the poem A Poison Tree. In A Poison Tree, William Blake advises us not to nourish hatred in our hearts. The theme / moral lesson of the poem is that we should speak out the misunderstandings if they arise. Breeding hatred in ones heart is not only harmful but also fatal. He gives this message through an example. The poet was angry with his friend. He talked to him about his anger, and it did end. He was angry with his enemy but he didnt talk to him. He hated his enemy. He watered it with tears in fears and sunned it with hypocritical smiles and cunning tricks. It grew into a tree and bore an apple bright. The poets enemy saw that bright, shining and tempting apple and planned to steal it. He thieved into his garden in the darkness of night to steal it. The poet saw his enemy lying dead under the tree. The hatred of enemy brought his death. (Words 157) Q 2: How appropriate is the title of the poem A Poison Tree. Or Do you find the poem symbolic? What does the noun Apple symbolise? Or Write a note on symbolism in the poem A Poison Tree. A Poison Tree, by William Blake, is full of contrasting abstractions and symbols. The poem is highly symbolic and greatly moralising. Blake wants to say that love is constructive and hatred is destructive. Love is forgetting and forgiving. Hatred is the outcome of the lack of trust. The process of nourishment described in this poem is highly symbolic. The underlying meaning of the poem is Love. Hatred is the symbol of evil resulting in destruction. It is all fears, tears, wiles and wickedness. It is poisonous. The metaphors of nourishing the tree of hatred, watering it with tears and sunning it with smiles are very suitable.

The title of the poem is very appropriate although symbolic. The apple bright is the symbol of Temptation. An apple appears tempting, but it is poisonous if it is watered with hatred. The ideas expressed, the words chosen, and the figures of speech employed add to the suitability of the title and the effect of the poem. (Words 163) Q 3: What are the contrasting elements in the poem? Or Write down some words and images that express hatred. Or

Do the contrasting elements in the poem add to the general impact of the poem?

The poem contains many contrasts in it. These contrasting elements add to the effect and impact of the poem. Some of the contrasts are; friend-foe, trust-deceit, end-grow, tears-smiles, nightbright, hate-love. The contrasts thus used in the poem also show the poets knowledge of human nature. The poem is rhythmic. It conveys profound meaning in simple but beautiful language. There are many words in English that express anger. Anger, wrath, rage, hate, despise, repel, shun, abuse, torture, tease, persecute, pester, admonish, threaten, slap, beat, punish, maltreat, manhandle, grapple, quarrel, are a few words that express anger and hatred. The image of a man with a frowning face and a bat or a stick in his hand expresses strong anger. A person with a raised hand ready to slap somebody also shows anger. A person armed with a dagger, sword or gun rushing to stab or shoot somebody shows intense hatred. (Words 149)

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