A Poison Tree
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 watered 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 veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.
Understanding “A Poison Tree”
William Blake’s “A Poison Tree” is a compelling and deceptively simple poem exploring the destructive power of unexpressed anger. Published in 1794 as part of his Songs of Experience collection, the poem isn’t just about anger; it is a meditation on the human condition, the dangers of repression, and the insidious nature of hidden resentment. It remains remarkably relevant today, offering insights into our own emotional landscapes and the consequences of holding onto negativity. The poem’s enduring appeal lies in its accessible language and universal theme: the way we deal with anger and the potential for it to poison not only ourselves but also those around us.
The central idea of “A Poison Tree” is that repressed anger is far more dangerous than expressed anger. The poem warns against the dangers of holding onto resentment, highlighting how it can poison the mind and lead to harmful consequences. It suggests that honest communication, even when difficult, is a healthier response to anger than silent brooding.
Stanza 1: The Contrast Begins
In the first stanza the speaker’s anger toward a friend is openly expressed, leading to a natural resolution. The line “I told my wrath, my wrath did end” illustrates this. In contrast, the speaker deliberately withholds his anger toward a foe. The verb grow implies unchecked, organic expansion of a negative force. The line “I told it not, my wrath did grow” is pivotal. It introduces the idea that silence, in this context, is not golden; it is conducive to growth but not of something positive.
Stanza 2: Cultivating the Poison
In the second stanza the poem describes the anger as a seed that is watered in fears, night and morning with tears. The speaker waters it in fears, then sunned it with smiles, and with soft deceitful wiles. He doesn’t merely allow the anger to grow; he actively cultivates it. He also pretends to be friendly, masking his true feelings, which fuels the growth of his anger. The image is grotesque, comparing the nurturing of anger to the tending of a poisonous plant.
Stanza 3: The Fruit of Resentment
The third stanza shows the hidden resentment bearing fruit, represented by an apple that is both a symbol of poison and a literal threat. The apple is a metaphor for the poisoned fruit of the speaker’s resentment. The foe’s awareness that the apple shines and that it belongs to the speaker indicates the depth of the resentment.
Stanza 4: The Bitter Harvest
The final stanza shows the tragic outcome. The foe is drawn to the bright apple and slips into the garden at night veiled by darkness. In the morning I see; my foe outstretched beneath the tree. The narrator’s feeling of gladness is disturbing, revealing a sinister satisfaction at the foe’s downfall.
Literary and Poetic Devices
- Symbolism: The tree, the garden, and the apple are all powerful symbols.
- Imagery: The poem uses vivid descriptions of fear, smiles, and an apple to convey a sense of danger.
- Tone: The tone shifts from angry to cunning to deadly.
- Repetition: The repeated use of “I told my wrath” and “my wrath” emphasizes the speaker’s control over the narrative.
- Alliteration: “Watered it in fears” and “night & morning with my tears” provide rhythmic cohesion.
- Stanza Structure: The four quatrains (four-line stanzas) provide a structured framework for the poem’s narrative.
Quotes for Reflection
“I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.”
“I watered it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears.”
“And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright.”
“In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.”
A Poison Tree is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today. It serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of repressed anger and the importance of honest communication. By exploring the dark side of human nature, Blake offers a timeless lesson about the destructive power of resentment and the potential for forgiveness and understanding.