Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the result of expressing anger towards the friend?
What was the result of expressing anger towards the friend?
- The anger was resolved. (correct)
- The friend felt guilty.
- The friendship ended.
- The anger continued to grow.
How did the narrator care for their anger towards the foe?
How did the narrator care for their anger towards the foe?
- By discussing it openly with others.
- By ignoring it completely.
- By confronting the foe directly.
- By watering it with fear and tears. (correct)
What does the apple symbolize in the poem?
What does the apple symbolize in the poem?
- Friendship and trust.
- The growth of wrath and resentment. (correct)
- Happiness and joy.
- A literal fruit of labor.
What actions did the foe take in the narrator's garden?
What actions did the foe take in the narrator's garden?
What emotional states did the narrator associate with their growing wrath?
What emotional states did the narrator associate with their growing wrath?
What was a consequence of the narrator's decision not to express anger towards their foe?
What was a consequence of the narrator's decision not to express anger towards their foe?
Which actions did the narrator take to nurture their anger towards their foe?
Which actions did the narrator take to nurture their anger towards their foe?
What is implied about the apple at the end of the poem?
What is implied about the apple at the end of the poem?
What contrasts the narrator's relationship with the friend and the foe?
What contrasts the narrator's relationship with the friend and the foe?
How does the narrator feel upon discovering their foe beneath the tree?
How does the narrator feel upon discovering their foe beneath the tree?
Study Notes
Anger and Its Consequences
- The speaker experiences different responses to anger towards a friend and a foe.
- Expressing anger towards a friend leads to resolution; however, suppressing anger towards a foe causes it to fester.
Growth of Resentment
- The speaker nurtures their hidden anger with fears and tears, indicating vulnerability.
- Deceitful behaviors and false smiles contribute to the exacerbation of hidden wrath, likened to cultivating a plant.
Symbolism of the Apple
- The "apple bright" symbolizes the fruition of the speaker's resentment, representing temptation or a toxic outcome.
- The brightness of the apple shows the attractive yet dangerous nature of unaddressed anger.
The Act of Revenge
- The foe, enticed by the appearance of the apple, trespasses into the speaker's garden, suggesting a moment of vulnerability or opportunity for confrontation.
- The final image of the foe "outstretched beneath the tree" evokes themes of poetic justice or fatal retribution, showcasing the consequences of repressed anger.
Anger and Its Consequences
- The speaker experiences different responses to anger towards a friend and a foe.
- Expressing anger towards a friend leads to resolution; however, suppressing anger towards a foe causes it to fester.
Growth of Resentment
- The speaker nurtures their hidden anger with fears and tears, indicating vulnerability.
- Deceitful behaviors and false smiles contribute to the exacerbation of hidden wrath, likened to cultivating a plant.
Symbolism of the Apple
- The "apple bright" symbolizes the fruition of the speaker's resentment, representing temptation or a toxic outcome.
- The brightness of the apple shows the attractive yet dangerous nature of unaddressed anger.
The Act of Revenge
- The foe, enticed by the appearance of the apple, trespasses into the speaker's garden, suggesting a moment of vulnerability or opportunity for confrontation.
- The final image of the foe "outstretched beneath the tree" evokes themes of poetic justice or fatal retribution, showcasing the consequences of repressed anger.
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Description
Test your understanding of William Blake's poem 'A Poison Tree'. This quiz explores the themes, imagery, and emotions conveyed in the poem. Dive into the intricate relationship between anger and the consequences of repressed feelings as depicted by Blake.
