There are repeated references to both day and night in the poem, illustrating the all consuming nature of emotions.
The extended metaphor of a tree is used to depict how negative strong emotions can grow.
The apple grown on the tree could symbolise the speaker’s growing resentment towards their “foe”.
The rhythm of the poem is straightforward and matter-of-fact, reflecting the everyday nature of these emotions.
Arguably, the ABAB rhyme scheme has a nursery rhyme feel giving the impression of it as a ‘cautionary tale’.

Common misconception

The speaker's foe was poisoned by the fruit he grew.

At the beginning of the poem, the speaker seems to imply that the tree is metaphorical since it "grew" from the speaker's anger and resentment so perhaps the death of the "foe" could symbolise another sort of revenge undertaken by the speaker.

Keywords

Wrath - intense anger or fury often leading to destructive actions or outcomes
Cautionary tale - a narrative designed to teach a lesson, typically warning against certain behaviours or actions
Rhythm - the pattern of beats or sounds in speech or writing, creating a sense of musicality
Symbolism - the use of concrete objects or actions to represent abstract feelings, ideas or concepts
Extended metaphor - a metaphor that is sustained or developed throughout a piece of writing

Display pictures of a tree and an apple and encourage students to mind-map words/phrases they associate with each. Perhaps give out some sticky notes and encourage pupils to stick their responses onto each picture. This could provide a great starting point for a class discussion.

Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to a copy of ‘A Poison Tree’ by William Blake. This can be found in the Edexcel Poetry Anthology (we will be using the ‘Conflict’ cluster).

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Worksheet

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

What happens to the speaker's "foe" at the end of the poem?

He and the speaker reconcile their differences and become friends.

Correct answer: He is found dead under the tree after attempting to steal the fruit it bore.

He kills the speaker in a fit of rage.

The speaker's anger consumes him and he murders his enemy.

Q2.

What is a metaphor?

using 'like' or 'as' to comparing two thing and emphasise shared qualities

Correct answer: directly comparing two different things in order to emphasise shared qualities

using natural descriptions to mirror the emotive tone of a text

giving human attributes to non-human entities

Q3.

William Blake was a Romantic poet. This means...

he was famous for writing sonnets and other love poems

he was known for subverting love poetry, using it to explore societal issues

Correct answer: he was part of a cultural movement emphasising emotion, individualism and nature

he was known for writing songs, many of which were later put to classical music

Q4.

What is a rhyme scheme?

Correct answer: the pattern of rhyming and non-rhyming lines in a poem

when every single line in a poem rhymes

using rhyme at the beginning of a line instead of at the end

the use of a repeated chorus in a poem

Q5.

Which of the following are conventions of Romantic poetry?

Correct answer: focus on individual experience

depicts everyday life realistically

Correct answer: explores the beauty of nature

explores human existence in a meaningless universe

focuses on simplicity and the mundane

Q6.

What is symbolism?

using the weather to mirror the emotive mood of a text

repeating the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines of poetry

structuring a poem so it has the physical shape of an object, animal etc.

Correct answer: using concrete objects to represent abstract ideas, concepts or emotions

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Blake conveys the all-consuming nature of these negative emotions by contrasting references to throughout the poem.

Correct answer: day and night

trees and flowers

happiness and sadness

friends and enemies

Q2.

What is 'wrath'?

the name for the poisonous snake in the Garden of Eden

Correct answer: an intense and severe form of anger, often associated with a desire for revenge

a serious betrayal of trust among friends

a feeling of intense envy, as though someone else is living the life you deserve

Q3.

What is rhythm?

a writing style characterised by short, abrupt sentences or phrases

Correct answer: the pattern of beats or sounds in speech or writing

art of effective or persuasive speaking/writing, often using literary methods

the repetition of similar sounds, usually at the end of words

Q4.

Throughout, the poem 'A Poison Tree', Blake compares the speaker's wrath to a tree. This is an example of ...

anaphora

juxtaposition

Correct answer: an extended metaphor

personification

Q5.

In 'A Poison Tree', Blake uses an rhyme scheme which gives the poem a musical feel.

ABAB

ABCB

Correct answer: AABB

ABCA

Q6.

Which of these interpretations about Blake's use of symbolism in 'A Poison Tree' are relevant and accurate?

The apple may symbolise the sweetness (kindness) underneath the speaker's wrath.

The apple could symbolise how relationships with others help to feed our souls.

Correct answer: The apple may symbolise corruption and link to the apple in the Garden of Eden.

Correct answer: The apple could symbolise danger since it poisons the speaker at the end.