Understanding the poem ‘A Poison Tree’ by William Blake
I can explain how Blake presents internal conflict in this poem.
Understanding the poem ‘A Poison Tree’ by William Blake
I can explain how Blake presents internal conflict in this poem.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Taken from Blake's 'Songs of Experience', the poem helps children understand the negative world they live in.
- 'A Poison Tree' explores the internal conflict of the speaker.
- The poem arguably explores the dangers of repressing emotions, such as anger.
- Blake uses natural imagery, a staple of the Romantic Era.
Keywords
Wrath - intense anger or rage directed towards someone or something
Foe - an enemy or opponent; someone or something opposed or hostile to another
Extended metaphor - a comparison between two things emphasising their shared qualities, developed throughout a work
Romantic - linked to a historical cultural movement emphasising emotion, individualism and nature
Critique - detailed analysis or evaluation, often highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and implications
Common misconception
Blake was a Romantic poet and artist and thus was critical of many societal beliefs and attitudes, namely religion which was called into question in the Enlightenment period just prior to this.
The Romantics did acknowledge and agree with many Enlightenment ideas but, by and large, they were religious in their writing. Blake was a deeply religious man and his critique of religion was focused mainly on how it was interpreted by society.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding the poem ‘A Poison Tree’ by William Blake, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding the poem ‘A Poison Tree’ by William Blake, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the 'Conflict' unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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 sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
intense anger or rage
an enemy or opponent
a comparison between two things developed throughout a work
detailed analysis or evaluation